Community Habilitation Specialist

The New York Foundling; New York (NY); On-site; USD 21,593 - 30,754; Full time

Job summary

A nonprofit organization in Brooklyn is seeking a dedicated individual to provide one-on-one assistance to persons with special needs. The role involves creating tailored life plans and goals that enhance developmental skills for independent living. Responsibilities include assessing skills, engaging caregivers, documenting progress, and implementing treatment plans. A High School Diploma is required, with a strong commitment to safety essential. Compensation starts at $19.00 per hour plus additional benefits depending on education.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated strong commitment to safety.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one assistance to persons with special needs.
• Assess and observe the person's skill development.
• Support the person in navigating the program.
• Engage primary caregivers in treatment.
• Implement treatment planning and intervention.
• Develop valued outcomes based on community support.
• Meet with assigned children/adolescents 1–2 times per week.
• Travel to the assigned borough.
• Attend supervision and training as required.
• Document training sessions and report progress.

Education

High School Diploma or higher

Job description

Overview

At The New York Foundling, we trust in the power and potential of people, and we deliberately invest in proven practices. From bold beginnings in 1869, our New York-based nonprofit has supported hundreds of thousands of our neighbors on their own paths to stability, strength, and independence. We help children and families navigate through and beyond foster care, support families struggling with conflict and poverty, and assist individuals with developmental disabilities to live their best lives. We also help our neighbors access quality health and mental‑health services—core to building lifelong resilience and wellbeing. Together, our interrelated programs provide a whole‑person, whole‑family, and whole‑life approach that unlocks solutions for a lifetime.

Position Purpose

The primary purpose of the position is to provide one‑on‑one assistance to persons with special needs, creating tailored life plans and goals to enhance developmental skills necessary for independent living within their chosen community.

Responsibilities

• Display a congenial, warm acceptance for all individuals.
• Assess and observe the person’s skill development, noting attitudes, feelings, and relationships. Develop an awareness of the individual’s needs through observation, interaction, and study of case history, consulting other staff as appropriate.
• Support the person in navigating the program and identifying incentives in learning new skills and behaviors.
• Engage primary caregivers and other key participants in active, change‑oriented treatment by overcoming barriers to engagement.
• Implement problem conceptualization, treatment planning, intervention implementation, and outcome review using the Analytic process (Brief Family Systems Therapy and Parental Management Training).
• Develop valued outcomes based on caregiver/community support and observed behaviors, highlighting child/adolescent strengths.
• Meet with assigned children/adolescents 1–2 times per week, depending on coordinated hours.
• Travel to the assigned borough.
• Attend supervision and training as required, protecting individual rights.
• Document each training session in the appropriate databases and report progress and barriers for each client.
• Receive consultation and supervision from the Community Habilitation Supervisor.
• Apply a positive and strength‑focused approach to cases.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or higher.
• Demonstrated strong commitment to safety.

The New York Foundling is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse employee population, honoring your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.

Education Required

High School / G.E.D.

Salary Range

$19.00 + Education Additive ($0.15/hour Associate's Degree $.80/hour: Bachelor's or higher)