Developmental Disabilities Support Specialist

Birch Family Services; New York (NY); On-site; USD 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Birch Family Services seeks dedicated staff to counsel, assist, and train individuals with developmental disabilities in personal care, travel and life skills. The role emphasizes creating a safe home environment and fostering growth through structured activities and community engagement.

Candidates should have a high school diploma or GED, and at least 1 year of relevant experience. NYS driver’s license is required, and AMAP/First Aid certifications are expected during probation.

Qualifications

• Specialized training in direct care provision preferred.
• Must complete and obtain certification in OPWDD Approved Medication Administration Course (AMAP) during probationary period and maintain AMAP certification.
• Ability and willingness to be First Aid and CPR certified.
• Ability and willingness to obtain certification in SCIPR Competencies and advance to Promote.
• Valid NYS Driver’s License required.

Responsibilities

• Support the individual by supporting a comfortable home environment.
• Provide safe and clean environment for the individual based on skill level and risks and support the safety of all individuals in everyday situations.
• Use verbal and physical means to create a positive environment that will encourage and enable individual growth.
• Assist the individual in the development of social skills that will help the individual become integrated/included in his or her community.
• Perform protective oversight while engaging in community activities.
• Monitor each individual’s personal health on a continuous basis (during situations of high activity, while bathing/showering/swimming, in the morning and the evening, at meals, while in the community, at all times).
• Assist individuals in learning and practicing skills necessary for home living (indoor household chores such as, but not limited to, cooking, sweeping, dusting, bed‑making, vacuuming, and dish‑washing, laundry, folding and storing clothes, etc.).
• Perform advocate responsibilities, while demonstrating respect for the processes and people involved.
• Responsible for all documentation related to the essential function and services for the individual.

Skills

Written documentation

Verbal communication

Computational skills

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Birch Family Services seeks dedicated staff to counsel, assist, and train individuals with developmental disabilities in personal care, travel and life skills. The role emphasizes creating a safe home environment and fostering growth through structured activities and community engagement.

Candidates should have a high school diploma or GED, and at least 1 year of relevant experience. NYS driver’s license is required, and AMAP/First Aid certifications are expected during probation.