Residential Habilitation Specialist

Position Summary:

The Habilitation Specialist will be responsible for all aspects of Staff Action Plans as per OPWDD and Medicaid Waiver regulations, as well as Agency policy.  They will create and monitor the implementation of Staff Action Plans, ensure person-centered planning, and work with supervisors and direct care staff to ensure plans are effective and documentation is completed accurately and within regulatory guidelines.  

Primary Duties & Essential Functions:

• Ensure and monitor the implementation of each individual’s Staff Action Plan in the community-based OPWDD programs.


• Train staff in the procedures necessary to implement the Staff Action Plan.


• Implement, evaluate, revise, and monitor the Staff Action Plan and submit in a timely manner.


• Collaborate with treatment teams, family or guardians, and care managers to ensure that all individuals’ goals are addressed through the staff action plan.


• Show consistency of specific valued outcomes identified by the individual and/or advocates as outlined in the Individual’s Life Plan


• Monitor the individual’s progress in a weekly documentation check, monthly summary notes, and update the plan minimally semiannually.


• Update and distribute Staff Action Plans within 60 days of the life plan to meet Medicaid requirements.


• Monitor individuals’ progress in a weekly documentation check, monthly summary notes, and update the plan minimally semi- annually.

Required Education, Knowledge, and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field.


• Must have at least 1 year of experience in serving individuals with developmental disabilities.


• QIDP status.


• Must have intermediate skills in Microsoft Word and Excel.


• Demonstrated skills in writing.

Abilities and Working Conditions:

• Must have a valid NYS driver’s license with a clean MVR.


• Must be able to perform restraints and maintain SCIP/Promote certification.


• Willingness to respond to the needs of a culturally diverse population.


• Ability to work out in the community (mobile program).


• Ability to deal positively with changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.


• Display a positive, professional, and proactive attitude to accomplish quality work that is in line with the agency’s mission statement and sanctuary philosophy.


• Seek opinions, alternative viewpoints in decision making. Understand and respect the expertise and experience of others, appreciate the different views, and the perspectives and limitations of other individuals.


• Exhibits a professional, courteous demeanor with internal and external constituents.

Pay: $22.00 - $23.00 per hour 

Vanderheyden is committed to the Sanctuary Model - a blueprint for clinical and organizational change which, at its core, promotes safety and recovery from adversity through the active creation of a trauma-informed community.  The Sanctuary Model's focus is not only on the people who seek services, but equally on the people and systems that provide those services.

Vanderheyden Hall Inc., as an Equal Opportunity Employer, does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices on the basis of gender, race or ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, military or marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, prior arrest or conviction record or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.