Manager OPWDD- Vocational Services

 

POSITION SUMMARY

The primary role of the Day Services Manager of Vocational Services is to ensure that all of the needs of the people supported in the program are met while working in partnership with to help them to achieve their personal outcomes in relation to employment and vocational training services. To accomplish this, the Manager leads a team of Direct Support Professionals, Employment Specialists, and Work Readiness Instructors to create and adhere to a person-centered plan of vocational based valued outcomes that will lead to gainful and meaningful employment in the future.

DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Works with the people we support to help them identify and realize their personal life goals
• Works in partnership with the people we support to ensure that their rights, health, safety and personal outcomes are always supported
• Communicates and supports the organization’s mission, vision and values effectively
• Advocates with the people we support in a variety of situations
• Works with the people we support to teach them new life skills
• Works with the people we support and other members of the interdisciplinary team to develop service plans that aid the person in achieving their personal life goals
• Assists the people we support to overcome barriers and challenges to establish and maintain a network of relationships and valued social roles
• Provides positive behavior support to the people we support as necessary
• Prevents, recognizes, and reports abuse toward the people we support
• Promotes and supports community involvement for the people we support
• Maintains ongoing communication with the individual, residential staff, family members and other collateral providers involved with the program and individuals served
• Interviews, hires, develops, and retains high quality staff
• Ensure program roster(s) are accurate
• Supervises, trains, evaluates, and observes assigned staff
• Completes training and orientation of new and/or floating staff in the proper implementation of vocational and prevocational services, activities, interactions, and documentation.
• Completes performance appraisals as per agency policy
• Coordinates and completes the required annual/semi-annual review process for assigned individuals
• Attends assigned individuals’ Life Plans/Annual/Semi-Annual/IDT meetings
• Oversees that the recommendations made at meetings are carried out
• Validates and documents daily vocational and prevocational service provision, monthly notes, and other information as required
• Monitors assigned individuals progress on a monthly and as needed basis
• Ensures all records of individuals assigned are kept up to date (paper and digital)
• Obtains required documentation from collateral providers and ensure documentation is scanned into the individuals’ Medisked records
• Ensures completion of all required documentation as needed such as administrative reviews, attendance reports, tracking reports, etc.
• Ensures staff are providing ongoing protective oversight to individuals while in the community and providing services
• Ensures and assist with growth of the program via networking internally and externally
• Completes and follows up on referrals/admitting individuals into the program and ensures all the appropriate paperwork is obtained, reviewed, and approved
• Completes documentation to enroll and disenroll from various programs.
• Completes basic assurance reviews on a quarterly basis and follow up accordingly on deficiencies
• Reviews budget financials for the bank cards/review receipts and sign off 
• Approves all spending accordingly in UBW. 
• Attends and coordinates committee meetings as required or assigned
• Creates a working climate that provides growth and job satisfaction
• Ensures all team members are fulfilling the roles and responsibilities of their positions and addresses performance issues though performance improvement or corrective action measures as needed
• Provides supervision and guidance to all team members working in the program on an ongoing basis
• Manages and approves team members’ timecards and time off requests.  
• Conduct regularly scheduled team and staff meetings
• Reviews and submits billing as required
• Reviews and implements all requisite documentation, including fire safety, team member trainings, etc. accurately, thoroughly, and in a timely manner in accordance with New York State and/or Federal regulations and agency policy, if applicable
• Ensures that all required documentation (paper and electronic) is completed/processed appropriately, in a timely manner, and meets quality and compliance thresholds.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities of All FREE Employees

• Always communicates in a respectful manner with all people including the people we support, supervisors, other valued team members, and members of the community.

• Complies fully with FREE’s confidentiality policies by holding in strictest confidence all information pertaining to members, residents, the people we support and their families, clients, providers, contractors, and employees.
• Meets all safety training requirements; adheres to all safety policies and reports any and all unsafe conditions; takes measures to prevent accidents and/or eliminate conditions that pose a safety or health risk.
• Coordinates, supports, attends and participates in all required events/ meetings/ reviews/ committees, including ones outside of standard working hours.
• Meets all job requirements and stays in compliance.
• Adheres to FREE’s standard of ethical behavior as outlined in the Employee Handbook and Code of Conduct as well as applicable laws and regulations.

 

Responsibilities of FREE Employees in Leadership/Management Positions:

 

• Ensures compliance with FREE policies, procedures, and operating standards. 
• Implements a continuous quality improvement process for department services and administrative functions.
• Assists in the development, implementation and administration of Human Resources policies and programs including compliance with Equal Employment Opportunities and Affirmative Action Programs.

 

Please note the above duties, responsibilities, and essential functions are a non-exhaustive list, and may be changed by FREE at any time, with or without notice to the employee.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required; college degree in human services or another related field preferred.

• Experience:

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience supporting individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities and/or mental health disorders in a vocational setting required.
• One (1) year of supervisory experience is preferred.

• • • Internal and external candidates with less than one year of supervisory experience will need to successfully complete internal management and supervisory skills training within 120 days of hire or transfer into the role. For any candidate with one or more years of supervisory experience, this is highly preferred.
• Specialized Training, Licenses, Certifications:

• Valid CPR/FA certification required (provided upon hire as needed)
• Valid SCIP certification required (provided upon hire as needed)
• Valid AMAP certification required (must be obtained within 120 days of hire)
• Valid G-Tube and Insulin certifications required for specific OPWDD programs (must be obtained within 120 days of hire if needed)

• Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Abilities:
  • Fundamental computer skills with the ability to learn and use various applications
  • Proficient writing skills with grasp of basic grammar and spelling
  • Must be efficient, well organized, and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment with flexibility, keeping others informed and anticipating needs is essential
  • Ability to problem-solve and address conflicts and concerns within assigned program(s)
  • Effective decision-making and time management skills
  • Knowledge of OPWDD, OMH, and ACCES-VR regulations regarding vocational and employment services
• Other Requirements:
  • 18 years of age or older
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule based on program needs
  • Ability to be on-call
  • Valid Driver’s License and satisfy criteria to be an agency driver required

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This role is performed in-person and with 50% of time being spent in the community. Travel is required between FREE and community locations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Employee is required to sit, walk and stand for prolonged period (at least 8 hours).
• Employee is required to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.

• Employee is required to operate standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, fax and filing cabinets.
• Employee might be required to lift/move light items.

Notwithstanding the above listed physical requirements of this position, FREE will provide reasonable accommodations to allow employees to perform the essential functions of the position, provided such reasonable accommodations do not cause undue hardship on FREE.