Job Title: Preschool 1 to 1 and Teacher Aides (positions available at our Geneva site, Canandaigua site, and the Golisano Autism Center site in Rochester)

Pay Range:
For full/part time: $15.00 - $17.00
For substitutes: $15.00 - $16.75

Reports to: Early Childhood Education Teacher/Director of Children’s Services

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work: This is a full time, part time , and/or substitute position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday during program hours. Evening work may be required as job duties demand. This is a school year position which includes the 6 week summer program.

Summary/Objective: The Teacher’s Aide is a key component in the classroom in ensuring the day’s activities are prepared. The Teacher’s Aide provides overall support to the teacher(s) and children in the classroom.

Essential Functions:

1. Imparts agency philosophy of “Equal Opportunity, Independence and Realization of Individual Potential” to children, families, program staff and community resources.
2. Maintains confidentiality of information relating to individuals and their families in accordance with agency policy.
3. Performs non-instructional duties under the supervision of the classroom teacher.
4. Assists the classroom teacher in all children’s activities throughout the day.
5. Supervises children at all times, including during busing and transitional activities.
6. Assists in physical care tasks and health related activities as appropriate.
7. Assists children with behavioral/management needs.
8. Functions as a positive, contributing member of the classroom team.
9. Attends appropriate meetings as determined by the classroom teacher and Program Director.
10. Demonstrates consistent, nurturing manner toward all children.
11. Assists with classroom preparation/set-up and the management of classroom materials and equipment.
12. Assists in the preparation of children’s meals and snacks. Assists with classroom cleanup as needed before/after meals and during the day as needed.
13. Shares all relevant information related to classroom children obtained form various sources with the classroom teacher.
14. Performs classroom duties as assigned by the classroom teacher or teaching assistant.
15. Participates in conferences, workshops. Department meetings and in-service training as needed or recommended to enhance job skills and personal growth and development.
16. Adheres to agency’s policies and procedures as well as department guidelines.

Competency Requirements:

1. Communication Proficiency.
2. Initiative.
3. Personal Effectiveness/Credibility.
4. Stress Management/Composure.
5. Learning Orientation.

Supervisory Responsibility: None.

Other Duties: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Work Environment: This job operates in a preschool classroom environment. This role uses standard office equipment.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit, stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 30 pounds.

Travel: Travel is primarily local during the business day but employee will be expected to work at any of our partner agencies. Some out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be expected.

Required Education and Experience:

1. High School Diploma or equivalent.
2. Experience with young children preferred.
3. Knowledge of classroom management preferred.
4. Must have demonstrated commitment to performing job duties and tasks at a high level of performance.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications: None

Job Title: Residential Direct Support Professional (DSP)
Location: Gorham site
Reports to: Residential Supervisor & Manager

Pay Range:
For full/part time: $15.75 - $18.00
For substitutes and non drivers: $15.25 - $17.50

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work: This position may have a full-time, part time or relief schedule. Days and hours of work are determined for each vacancy and would typically include an evening or overnight shift.

Summary/Objective: Provides safety and supervision of all individuals focusing on fulfilling the Agency’s Mission, Vision and Values and providing services which meet or exceed the goals of the individual, department and the agency.

Essential Functions:

1. Imparts agency philosophy of “Equal Opportunity, Independence and Realization of Individual Potential” to children, families, program staff and community resources.
2. Maintains confidentiality of information relating to individuals and their families in accordance with agency policy.
3. Provides oversight to ensure safety and supervision of residents. May be required to stay on-shift after hours should there be an emergency, weather hazard, or other unforeseen occurrence.
4. Provides assistance, training and supervision with various activities of daily living, helping each individual to improve their ability to live more independently, while addressing specific individualized outcomes as outlined on service plan.
5. Implements health-related and medication regimens for all consumers in accordance with policies and procedures. Implements behavior treatment plans as written, following documentation protocol as required.
6. Accompanies residents to off-site locations/activities, helping them to access and utilize community resources (i.e. grocery shopping, recreation, entertainment, medical appointments, banking, etc).
7. Assists residents with planning and accessing recreational and social activities.
8. Provides input regarding assessment and capabilities for team meetings/progress updates, etc. Attends meetings as requested.
9. Acts as a role model for program participants by interacting with others in a professional and respectful manner, dressing appropriately, and using good personal hygiene.
10. Maintains necessary documentation as required and per agency policies.
11. Communicates regularly with agency personnel to provide opportunities for exchange of information and discussion of concerns. Provides feedback to Supervisor regarding resident and/or facility concerns.
12. Assists residents in working toward achievement of their goals, while ensuring adherence to applicable Behavioral Support Plans.
13. Manages crisis situations per agency policies and procedures, contacting Administrator on-call as necessary.
14. Helps to ensure a positive appearance of the facility by assisting with site inspections, timely reporting of maintenance needs, performs general housekeeping and home maintenance activities, etc.
15. Creates opportunities for, and encourages individuals to make as many decisions as possible, ranging from basic choices, such as food and clothing, to long term planning of life goals.
16. Ensures individual care meets or exceeds established standards in areas including personal hygiene, grooming, feeding, care and respect for individual’s belongings, room cleaning, and other daily living skills.
17. Provides emergency and first aid treatment, within their scope of training, as needed until relieved by other staff, a professional medical person, or other designated person.
18. Attends all departmental or other related meetings for those individuals assigned to him/her. Participates and acts as a contributing member in the development and maintenance of person-centered Res Hab plans. Implements and monitors Res Hab Plans as scheduled.
19. Participates in the team decision-making process and carries out decisions consistently.
20. Presents a positive and professional public image. Has a polite and professional interaction with individuals, families, staff, and members of the community.
21. Attends all required training and any other training as assigned by supervisor.
22. Participates in conferences, workshops and in-service training as needed or recommended to enhance job skills and personal growth and development.
23. Adheres to agency’s policies and procedures as well as department guidelines.

Other Duties: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Education and Experience:

1. High School Diploma or GED.
2. Experience working with special needs population preferred.
3. Valid and clean NYS driver’s license.
4. Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
5. Must obtain and maintain Medical Certification.
6. Ability to complete required training classes.

Competency Requirements:

1. Individual/Client Focus.
2. Ethical Conduct.
3. Flexibility.
4. Initiative.
5. Personal Effectiveness/Credibility.
6. Teamwork Orientation.

Supervisory Responsibility: None.

Work Environment: This job operates in a residential setting.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit, stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects up to 50 pounds. See attached physical limitations.

Travel: Travel is primarily local during the business day, but employee may be expected to work at any of the residential houses.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications: None

Job Title: Community Habilitation Specialist

Pay Rate: $20.00 per hour

Reports to: Supervisor of Home & Community Services

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work: This may be a part-time or full-time position. Days and hours of work may vary depending on need. Evening and weekend work may be required as determined by program/individual needs.

We currently have a need in the following areas:

• Naples (6 hours per week)
• Canandaigua (12 hours per week)
• Macedon (8 hours per week)
• Geneva (15 hours per week)

Essential Functions

1. Imparts agency philosophy of “Equal Opportunity, Independence and Realization of Individual Potential” to clients, families, program staff and community resources.
2. Maintains confidentiality of information relating to individuals and their families in accordance with agency policy.
3. Provides training to program participants to help them acquire daily living skills which will enable these individuals to function in more independent living situations.
4. Provide functional assessment of a wide variety of life skills and provide appropriate feedback to program participants with regard to strengths, areas to develop and barriers to overcome.
5. Use creative problem solving to help participants overcome barriers to independence.
6. Develop appropriate service plan goals and activities to help consumers reach their goals.
7. Advocate for person centered planning for program participants.
8. Provides assistance and training to program participants to help them develop necessary problem solving skills which will enable them to better function in their community living situation.
9. Accompanies program participants to locations in the community to help them learn how to access and utilize community resources, including health and safety resources.
10. Assist program participants in accessing recreational and social activities, thus enabling them to utilize their leisure time appropriately.
11. Acts as a role model for program participants by interacting with people in a manner, which will assist these individuals to develop behaviors necessary for successful community living.
12. Assist with implementation of behavior modification plans as needed.
13. Participates in case conferences upon request.
14. Maintains necessary records and case notes as requested.
15. Submits a monthly report to Supervisor of Home & Community Services or designee on time and according to established guidelines.
16. Communicates individual consumer concerns relative to treatment plan, medical or safety issues to the service coordinator.
17. Provides training and consultation to designated staff for the purpose of goal implementation.
18. Participates in conferences, workshops and in-service training to enhance job skills and personal growth and development.
19. Adheres to agency’s policies and procedures as well as department guidelines.
20. Performs other duties at the discretion of the Program Director or his/her designee.

Other Duties: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Education and Experience

1. High School Diploma or equivalent.
2. Knowledge of community resources and means of accessing these resources.
3. Valid NYS driver’s license.
4. Demonstrates basic reasoning and writing skills.
5. 6 months experience working with individuals with disabilities providing habilitation or rehabilitation and independent living skills training.

Competency Requirements

1. Must possess a strong service orientation, including active listening, critical thinking skills, and close monitoring of clients.
2. Attention to detail.
3. Caring approach.
4. Ability to ensure individual’s safety.
5. Excellent communication skills.
6. Positivity.
7. Attentiveness.

Work Environment: This job operates in a home environment as well as in the community.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit, stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 30 pounds.

Travel: Travel is primarily local during the business day but employee will be expected to work at any of our partner agencies.  Some out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be expected.

Job Title: Waiver Respite Worker

Pay Rate: $16.00 per hour

Reports to: Supervisor of Home & Community Services

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work: This may be a part-time or full-time position. Days and hours of work may vary depending on need. Evening and weekend work may be required as determined by program/individual needs.

Summary/Objective: The Respite Worker provides in-home care providing a safe and positive environment which allows the primary caregiver a break or period of respite.

Essential Functions

1. Imparts agency philosophy of “Equal Opportunity, Independence and Realization of Individual Potential” to children, families, program staff and community resources.
2. Maintains confidentiality of information relating to individuals and their families in accordance with agency policy.
3. Follows policies and procedures as per OPWDD guidelines.
4. Provides in-home respite care (i.e. sitter service) to individuals as outlined by the life plan. Hourly respite is designed to give the primary caregiver a break while providing a safe, fun and positive environment for their loved one. 
5. Provide supports to meet the needs of the individual (i.e., meal prep, personal care).
6. Engage the individual in his/her chosen activities, which could include arts, crafts, outdoor play, games, etc. 
7. Serve as an appropriate role model and engage in interactions which promote and ensure the dignity and rights of all participants, service providers, coworkers and community members. 
8. Acts as a professional representative of Happiness House in regards to appearance, behavior, temperament, communication, language and dress. 
9. Reports any issues or concerns to supervisor in a timely manner.
10. Follows agency incident procedure.
11. Completes and submits monthly documentation, representative of the service delivered.
12. Participates in conferences, workshops. Department meetings and in-service training as needed or recommended to enhance job skills and personal growth and development.
13. Adheres to agency’s policies and procedures as well as department guidelines.

Other Duties: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Education and Experience

1. One year experience and/or education in human services preferable
2. Prior experience working with individuals who have developmental disabilities and autism is preferred.
3. High School Diploma or GED preferred.
4. Ability to work independently and motivate others.
5. Knowledge of community resources and means of accessing these services.
6. Valid NYS driver’s license/dependable vehicle.
7. Demonstrates basic reasoning skills

Competency Requirements

1. Must possess a strong service orientation, including active listening, critical thinking skills, and close monitoring of clients.
2. Attention to detail.
3. Caring approach.
4. Ability to ensure individual’s safety.
5. Excellent communication skills.
6. Positivity.
7. Attentiveness.

Work Environment: This job operates in a home environment.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit, stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 30 pounds.

Travel: Travel is primarily local during the business day but employee will be expected to work at any of our partner agencies.  Some out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be expected.