Review Vacancy
Date Posted: 07/08/25
Applications Due: 07/23/25
Vacancy ID: 191769
Position Information
NY HELPYes
AgencyPeople With Developmental Disabilities, Office for
TitleHabilitation Specialist 1
Occupational CategoryHealth Care, Human/Social Services
Salary Grade14
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $53764 to $68630 Annually
Employment Type Full-Time
Appointment Type Permanent
Jurisdictional Class Competitive Class
Travel Percentage 0%
Schedule
Workweek Mon-Fri
Hours Per Week 40
Workday
From 7:30 AM
To 3:30 PM
Flextime allowed? No
Mandatory overtime? No
Compressed workweek allowed? No
Telecommuting allowed? No
Location
County Albany
Street Address 30 N. Russell Rd.
City Albany
StateNY
Zip Code12206
Job Specifics
Duties Description Under the supervision of the Day Program Director, the Habilitation Specialist 1 is responsible for the development, documentation, and implementation of Day Habilitation services for individuals who live in both state and voluntary operated residences programs. They work with and supervise direct care employees and are responsible to develop and provide opportunities that promote community inclusion. May be required to assist with transportation at residence.
DUTIES DISCRIPTION:
• Will provide training and hands on assistance to staff in the proper delivery of daily services.
• Will complete required documentation to stay in compliance per Medicaid guidelines.
• Will develop and maintain a good working relationship with Care Managers staff that serve individuals.
• Will attend Life Plan reviews for individuals as needed, work collaboratively with the Care Managers, and assist in the development and updating of Staff Action Plans and Safeguard Summary Plans that support the Life Plan.
• Will be responsible for the content and organization of the individual program charts, filing system and EHR in relation to Habilitation services.
• Will provide oversight for the direct care staff in the development and implementation of Staff Action Plans and corresponding documentation.
• Will attend and participate in all mandatory trainings.
• Other duties as assigned.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
• Ability to work as a team player.
• Ability to manage time to meet the needs of the individuals, as well as documentation requirements.
• Previous documented and verifiable experience.
• Satisfactory employment history as evidenced by a review of personal history folder and supervisory evaluations.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nys-office-for-people-with-developmental-disabilities/posts/?feedView=all
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Minimum Qualifications Open Competitive Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s or higher-level degree in a human services field*
*For the purpose of these qualifications, a degree in a human service field includes the professional disciplines of audiology, community mental health, nursing, nutrition, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, rehabilitation counseling, vocational counseling, social work, speech/language pathology and therapeutic recreation (including concentrations in art, creative art, dance, drama, music, or physical education.) Also included are related academic disciplines associated with the study of human behavior (e.g., gerontology, human services, sociology, speech communication); or human skills development (e.g., counseling/guidance, education, human development.) Examples of non-qualifying degrees include but are not limited to: criminal justice, political science, liberal arts, and business.
Additional Comments This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). HELPS Program titles may be filled via a non-competitive appointment. This means that you do not need to take an exam to qualify, but you do need to meet the minimum qualifications of the title.
At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), employees hired under NY HELPS are expected to have their permanent non-competitive employment status converted to permanent competitive status. You will not have to take an exam to gain permanent competitive status.
• If you are currently a New York State employee serving in a permanent competitive qualifying title and eligible for a transfer via Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law, you may be appointed to this title as a permanent competitive employee.
• The assignment of PS&T employees will be made in accordance with any agreed upon Memorandum of Understanding between PEF and the local DDSO regarding the posting of job vacancies.
• Preference will be given to OPWDD employees impacted by closures. If you are being impacted by closure, please indicate this on your resume.
• All OPWDD employees must be eligible and maintain eligibility for full and unconditional participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Continued employment will depend on maintaining eligibility.
• If you are employed by state government you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments have been made under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. For more information on PSLF, please visit www.studentAid.gov/publicservice.
• Employees on long term leave can bid on positions but must be able to report to work within fourteen (14) days and be able to perform the essential functions of their positions with or without reasonable accommodation (RA). If an employee or job applicant believes that they need a reasonable accommodation, they should contact the Reasonable Accommodation Unit at (518) 486-7222 or email accommodationrequests@opwdd.ny.gov to obtain information and RA forms.
• Savings programs such as the U.S. Savings Bond and the College Savings Plan.
• Voluntary pre-tax savings programs such as Health Care Spending Account and the Dependent Care Advantage Account offer employees options to pay for uncovered health care expenses or dependent care expenses.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) an assessment and referral service that connects employees with local service providers and support services to address their personal needs.
• Life insurance and Disability insurance.
• The New York State Deferred Compensation Plan is a voluntary retirement plan that offers employees the option to invest a part of their salaries for retirement on a tax-deferred basis.
• Paid Holidays and Leave:
° Thirteen (13) paid holidays each year.
° Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave initially.
° Five (5) days paid personal leave each year.
° Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave each year (PEF/CSEA), which may carry over from year to year.
° Up to three (3) days professional leave each year to participate in professional development events.
• Health Care Coverage:
Employees and their eligible dependents can choose from a variety of affordable health insurance programs. Employees are provided family dental and vision plans at no extra cost.
• Paid Parental Leave:
Paid Parental Leave allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave at full pay for each qualifying event. A qualifying event is defined as the birth of a child or placement of a child for adoption or foster care.
• Retirement Program:
Participate in The NYS Employees’ Retirement System (ERS), which is recognized as one of the best-managed and best-funded public retirement systems in the nation.
• Professional Development and Education and Training:
NYS offers training programs and tuition assistance to eligible employees to maintain and increase their professional skills and prepare them for promotional opportunities. For more information, please visit https://oer.ny.gov/training-and-professional-development.
• Additionally, the Public Service Workshops Program (PSWP) offers certain professional training opportunities for PEF represented and M/C designated employees that may grant continuing education credits towards maintaining professional licensure. For more information, please visit https://oer.ny.gov/public-service-workshops-program-pswp.
OPWDD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to creating and sustaining a culture of inclusion. We believe that we are most effective in managing and improving our service system with a diverse team of employees. With such a large workforce, we rely on the collective individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, self-expression, ideas and talent that our employees bring to their work. This speaks to our culture and is a key part of our successes. As we continuously recruit people for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that applicants bring in terms of their education, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
How to Apply
Name Capital District DDSO Human Resources
Telephone 518-388-0838
Fax 518-370-7536
Email Address CapitalDistrict.Careers@opwdd.ny.gov
Address
Street 500 Balltown Road
City Schenectady
State NY
Zip Code 12304
Notes on ApplyingPlease submit cover letter and resume to:
Capital District DDSO
Human Resources Office
Building 1
500 Balltown Road
Schenectady, New York 12304
Phone: 518-388-0838
Fax: 518-370-7536
Email: CapitalDistrict.Careers@opwdd.ny.gov
*Please reference EOA #25-115 in all correspondence.
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