Job description

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is seeking a motivated and experienced human service professional for the role of a Transition Services Coordinator (Human Service Coordinator I) at the Taunton-Attleboro Area Office. The Service Coordinator is assigned to work with children and transitioning young adults and their families to coordinate, integrate and monitor services provided. Duties and Responsibilities: Children (The duties and responsibilities stated are general summary and not all inclusive.) Monitor DDS funded and auxiliary funded programs. Maintain regular contact with individuals, families, and providers. Travel to individuals' homes, programs, and outside meetings; that may or may not be in proximity of the Area Office Coordination, facilitation, and monitor the development and progress of support plans per DDS regulations. Provide outreach and coordinate referrals to community services and other state agencies. Provide up-to-date record keeping – both electronic and hard copy; maintain documentation for waiver or non-waiver services. The Coordinator works as part of the Area Office Team, having an assigned caseload of transitional students between the ages of 17-22 years with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Duties and Responsibilities: Transitions: 18-22 yrs old (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive) Act as the primary contact for individuals and families served by the Department and are expected to effectively represent the Area Office by building respectful and collaborative partnership with individuals, families, guardian, provider agencies and other stakeholder groups involving the work of the Area Office and the Department. Meet and assess newly eligible transitional age adults for support needs; provides information and referral support to families and assists families in applying/arranging for these supports. Act as a liaison with service agencies (i.e. Department of Children and Families (DCF), Department of Public Health (DPH), Department of Mental Health (DMH), Early Intervention, and the Local Educational Authorities). The Coordinator will participate in the Individual Education Plan (IEP), Team meetings, and develop Individual Transition Plans. Work with families in the DESE/ DDS project who are interested in participating in the Participant Directed Program. The Coordinator works closely with Family Support Centers, planning for supports and monitoring those services. Develop and maintain close working relationship with local school authorities and facilitates a stable transition for individuals from school to adult services. Provide information to supervisor and other members of the Area Office Management Team and Regional Office as needed and will represent the Area Office effectively. Monitor the safety and well-being of assigned individuals; provide advocacy in human, civil and legal rights; facilitate team meetings; monitor follow-through on team recommendations while maintaining individuals’ records and relevant computer databases as well as maintain regular and consistent contact with individuals, service providers and families. Preferred Qualifications: Ability to develop and maintain a respectful, caring, patient, ethical, and empowering relationship with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Skilled using communication styles and/or augmentative communication systems. Familiarity with Microsoft programs, Home and Community Service Information System (HICSIS). Experience working with individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing and/or have Intellectual Disabilities. Excellent organizational and communication skills. Special Requirements: Some flexibility in schedule needed to accommodate school-based IEPs. SCHEDULE Information: Full-time – 37.5-hour weekly position. Schedule Monday through Friday - 8:45 am to 5:00 pm Days off – Saturday and Sunday About the Department of Developmental Services: The mission of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is to create innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder to participate fully and contribute meaningfully to their communities as valued members. DDS serves over 43,000 vulnerable individuals throughout their lifetimes, providing a spectrum of day, employment, and residential supports. The agency directly oversees and manages $3 billion in public funds ($2.7B+ operating budget) and approximately 5,500 staff, the largest state employee workforce of any agency in the Massachusetts executive branch of government. For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dds Pre-Hire Process: Recommended candidates must successfully complete pre-employment screening which includes: Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) Abuse Registry Search: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/dppc-abuser-registry Criminal background check (CORI) by regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori National Background Checks, Chapter 234 of the Acts of 2014, conduct fingerprint-based check. https://www.mass.gov/lists/dds-fingerprint-background-checks As part of the hiring process, the Office of Human Resources will be verifying any college-level degrees conferred to the selected candidate. Additionally, any licensure required for the position will be verified. Information provided as part of the hiring process is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website. Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website. If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form For help logging into/resetting your MassCareers profile, call the Employment Service Center at 617-979-8500 for assistance. For questions concerning the information in this requisition please contact the Human Resources' Field Office at 508-866-8803. ALL EMPLOYEES ARE PAID ON A BI-WEEKLY BASIS AND MUST HAVE DIRECT DEPOSIT. This is a Civil Service position. If there is no Civil Service list for this title, employees appointed must take and pass the next Civil Service examination when administered. Qualifications Qualifications - External This requisition will remain open until filled; however, first consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days. Applicants must have (A) at least three (3) years of full-time or equivalent part-time, professional experience in human services work or social work or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below. Substitutions: I. A Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field may substitute for two (2) years of the required (A) experience. Based on assignment, travel may be required. Incumbents who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid motor vehicle driver's license at a class level specific to assignment. Based on assignment as Qualified Intellectual Disabled Professionals, within the Department of Developmental Services, a Bachelor's degree or higher in social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, counseling education, education of the physically or emotionally handicapped, education of the multiple handicapped, education of the learning disabled, human services, rehabilitation, rehabilitation counseling, nursing, recreation therapy, art therapy, dance therapy, music therapy, physical education or other a related field is required. Comprehensive Benefits When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future. Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards! COVID Vaccine: As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. Applicants who receive an offer of employment who can provide documentation that the vaccine is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination due to a sincerely held religious belief may make a request for exemption. An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role. MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE: At least three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in human services work or social work. Based on assignment, one year of professional work experience must have been in one of the following specialty areas. Refer to the individual position description for specialized work experience required. Mental Health Case Manager and Forensic Transition Team Coordinator assignments only: The year of professional work experience must have included the clinical care and treatment of psychiatric or emotionally disturbed individuals. Department of Developmental Services assignments only: The year of professional work experience must have involved working with individuals with intellectual or other developmental disabilities. SUBSTITUTIONS: A Bachelor's or higher degree in social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, counseling education, education of the physically or emotionally handicapped, education of the multiple handicapped, education of the learning disabled, human services, rehabilitation, rehabilitation counseling, nursing, recreation therapy, art therapy, dance therapy, music therapy, or physical education may be substituted for two years of the required experience on the basis of two years of education for one year of experience. Mental Health Case Manager and Forensic Transition Team Coordinator assignments only: Degree substitutions must be in social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, counseling education, rehabilitation, rehabilitation counseling, human services, education of the physically or emotionally handicapped, education of the multiple handicapped, or education of the learning disabled. Department of Developmental Services assignments only: A current and valid Massachusetts license or registration as a physical therapist, speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, audiologist, registered nurse, dietitian, or social worker may be substituted for two years of the required experience. A current and valid Massachusetts license or registration as a physical therapy assistant or occupational therapy assistant may be substituted for one year of the required experience. One year of education equals 30 semester hours. Education toward a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed. No substitutions will be permitted for the required year of professional experience. REQUIRED EDUCATION AND LICENSES: One of the following is required for Qualified Developmental Services Professional assignments in the Department of Developmental Services only: A current and valid Massachusetts license or registration as a physical therapist, speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, audiologist, registered nurse, dietitian, or social worker, OR A Bachelor's or higher degree in social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, counseling education, education of the physically or emotionally handicapped, education of the multiple handicapped, education of the learning disabled, human services, rehabilitation, rehabilitation counseling, nursing, recreation therapy, art therapy, dance therapy, music therapy, or physical education. Based on assignment, travel may be required. Those employees who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's license or the equivalent from another state. Executive Order #595: As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. Applicants who receive an offer of employment who can provide documentation that the vaccine is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination due to a sincerely held religious belief may make a request for exemption. An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Official Title : Human Services Coordinator I Primary Location : United States-Massachusetts-Taunton-21 Spring Street Job : Community and Social Services Agency : Department of Developmental Services Schedule : Full-time Shift : Day Job Posting : Sep 18, 2023, 2:28:36 PM Number of Openings : 1 Salary : 57,885.88 - 79,062.10 Yearly If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator : Ferdousi Faruque - [email protected] - 8573012416 Bargaining Unit : 08-SEIU - Local 509 - Social/Rehabilitation Confidential : No Hybrid Work Eligible : Yes