Residential Counselor, Developmental Disabilities

Jobtailor; Tewksbury (MA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is hiring a residential support professional in Massachusetts to assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in community integration and daily living activities.

You will plan inclusive activities, provide rehabilitative support, and coordinate with nurses and case managers while maintaining documentation and safety compliance.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience with developmental disabilities preferred.
• Must become CPR and First Aid certified within 2 weeks.
• MAP certification required within 150 days.
• PBS Tier 1 certification within 150 days of hire.
• Must pass CORI, references, and background checks.
• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Valid MA driver’s license for at least 6 months; driving experience required.
• Ability to lift at least 25 pounds and assist daily living tasks.
• Ability to work independently and with a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct support to people with developmental disabilities in residential settings.
• Help individuals become integrated into their communities and develop friendships.
• Assist individuals in accessing community-based supports and resources.
• Plan recreational and social activities promoting inclusion and emotional well‑being.
• Empower individuals to make choices, self‑advocate and participate in decisions about their supports and lives.
• Support access to assistive technology and adaptive equipment.
• Support work, volunteer and community engagement opportunities.
• Provide rehabilitative and behavioral interventions and training.
• Support appointment scheduling, money management, ADLs, grocery shopping and meals.
• Perform hands-on tasks to implement support plans.
• Provide transportation for outings and appointments.
• Assess physical and emotional status and report changes to the supervisor.
• Monitor individual funds and maintain records and progress notes.
• Procure, store, administer, document and dispose of medication per MAP policy.
• Communicate with program nurses, case managers and visiting nurses association.
• Participate in mandated training and staff meetings.
• Ensure compliance with policies and safe work practices.
• Maintain home safety and upkeep, including housekeeping and snow removal.
• Complete communication logs, community membership logs and activity schedules.
• Provide shift coverage in other homes or programs as assigned.
• Function as a human rights advocate and provide First Aid during emergencies.
• Report to the Disabled Persons Protections Commission.
• Assist in developing, implementing and documenting treatment plans and ISP/PSTPs.

Skills

Time management

Written communication

Effective communication

Team collaboration

Independent work

Physical stamina

Education

High school diploma or GED

CPR Certification

First Aid Certification

MAP Certification

PBS Tier 1 Certification

Tools

Computer

Calculator

Copier

Printer

Job description

• Provide direct support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in residential settings
• Help individuals become integrated into their communities and develop friendships
• Assist individuals in accessing community-based supports and resources
• Plan recreational and social activities promoting inclusion and emotional well-being
• Empower individuals to make choices, self-advocate and participate in decisions about their supports and lives
• Support access to assistive technology and adaptive equipment
• Support work, volunteer and community engagement opportunities
• Provide rehabilitative and behavioral interventions and training
• Support appointment scheduling, money management, activities of daily living, grocery shopping, meal planning, cooking and household chores
• Perform hands‑on tasks to implement support plans
• Provide transportation for outings and appointments
• Assess physical and emotional status and report changes to the supervisor
• Monitor individual funds
• Maintain records, behavior and academic data, progress notes, incident documentation and communication logs
• Procure, store, administer, document and dispose of medication according to MAP requirements and policy
• Communicate with program nurses, case managers and Visiting Nurses Association
• Participate in mandated training and staff meetings
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, corporate and divisional policies and safe work practices
• Maintain home safety and upkeep, including housekeeping, snow shoveling and trash removal
• Complete communication logs, community membership logs and activity schedules
• Provide shift coverage in other homes or programs as assigned
• Function as a human rights advocate and provide physical intervention and/or First Aid during emergencies
• Report to the Disabled Persons Protections Commission
• Assist in developing, implementing and documenting treatment plans, ISP/PSTPs and clinical programs

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required
• Experience working with people with developmental disabilities and/or brain injury strongly preferred
• Strong time management and writing skills
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Current, valid US driver's license held for at least 6 months; driving requirements also state at least one year
• Must be able to become CPR and First Aid certified within 2 weeks of employment
• Must be able to become MAP certified within 150 days of employment
• Must successfully complete Safety Care within 90 days
• PBS Tier 1 required within 150 days of hire
• Must successfully pass CORI, reference, national fingerprinting and driving record checks
• Adequate insurance and safe driving record required when using a personal vehicle
• One or more years of experience and/or training in a related function preferred
• Knowledge and use of advocacy, empowerment, self-advocacy, communication, participatory planning, crisis intervention, household management and physical personal management techniques
• Ability to promote family partnerships and social inclusion
• Ability to implement PBS treatment programs
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written formats
• Ability to work professionally and confidentially
• Ability to perform physically active duties, lift at least 25 pounds, and assist clients with activities of daily living
• Ability to operate a computer, calculator, copier and printer

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through advocacy, empowerment, and community integration. Proficient in implementing treatment plans, managing daily living activities, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Experience With Developmental Disabilities
• CPR And First Aid Certification
• MAP Certification
• PBS Treatment Program Implementation
• Time Management Skills

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Behavioral Interventions
• Crisis Intervention Techniques
• Household Management
• Medication Administration
• Activity Planning
• Data Documentation
• Physical Personal Management
• Community Engagement
• Assistive Technology Support
• Daily Living Skills Assistance

Soft Skills

• Effective Communication
• Empowerment Advocacy
• Team Collaboration
• Confidentiality
• Time Management

Certifications & Qualifications

• CPR Certification
• First Aid Certification
• MAP Certification
• PBS Tier 1 Certification

Industry Keywords

• Intellectual Disabilities
• Developmental Disabilities
• Community-Based Supports
• Rehabilitative Support
• Interdisciplinary Team
• Safety Care
• Human Rights Advocacy
• Daily Living Activities
• Social Inclusion
• Participatory Planning

Tools & Technologies

• Computer
• Calculator
• Copier
• Printer