Under the direction of the Program Manager of Community Support services, this position performs entry-level employment work with and on behalf of Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (IDD) who are being served through the IDD General Revenue (GR) program. Work involves conducting interviews to assess client needs, disseminating information and facilitating access to employment programs, and providing employment counseling services. In addition to providing supported employment and employment assistance to individuals enrolled in our IDD GR program, this position also offers program support to the IDD Community Support team through schedule oversight and program support where needed. This position will assist with training IDD Community Support staff.

Education, Training, and Experience

(1) A bachelor's degree in rehabilitation, business, marketing, or a related human services field, and at least six months of paid or unpaid experience providing services to people with disabilities; or

(2) an associate's degree in rehabilitation, business, marketing, or a related human services field, and at least one year of paid or unpaid experience providing services to people with disabilities; or

(3) a high school diploma or a certificate recognized by a state as the equivalent of a high school diploma, and at least two years of paid or unpaid experience providing services to people with intellectual disabilities.

Experience with working with individuals with IDD strongly preferred.

Registration, Certification, Licensure, and Other Qualifications

• Must have and maintain a background and criminal history free from any disqualifying offenses as outlined by the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) and the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and automobile insurance.
• Individuals with an out-of-state driver's license must be able to obtain a driver's license in the state of Texas within thirty (30) days.
• Successful completion of all position-specific training within thirty (30) days of employment is required.
• All job specific training must be completed within 30 days of hire.
• Must maintain a valid Texas driver's license, auto liability insurance and a driving record acceptable to the Centers insurance requirements.
• Ability to communicate/act in stressful interpersonal situations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of interviewing and assessment techniques and procedures.

Skill in conducting interviews, in counseling others, in conducting vocational assessments, and in using computers and applicable software.

Ability to establish and maintain effective relations with the public, to gather and assess information, to manage caseloads, and to communicate effectively.

Essential Duties

The following list outlines key responsibilities for the position; however, it is not exhaustive and does not encompass all responsibilities. Additional duties may be assigned as needed.

This position provides support to the IDD Community Support Department. The IDD Community Support Team Lead will coordinate the delivery of services including supported employment and employment assistance for GR consumers.They will also develop resources to seek out competitive labor market jobs. This position works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

1.Employment Assistance (Job Development) for designated GR Consumers.Services are provided to assist the individual to locate paid competitive employment in the community by helping him/her identify employment preferences, job skills, work requirements and conditions.

a.Ensures services provided in accordance with each individual's person directed plan.

b.Provides face-to-face contact with individuals to provide employment assistance that identifies the individual's skills, preferences, and requirements for employment.

c.Provides face-to-face and telephone contact with an individual'sLegal Authorized Representative to facilitate the individual's employment.

d.Provides face-to-face and telephone contact with a prospective employer on behalf on an individual to negotiate the individual's employment.

e.Provides services individually and not in a group setting.

f.Locates employment in integrated work settings where generally no more than one employee or 3% of the work force members have disabilities.

2.Supported Employment (Job Coaching) to GR consumers as directed.Services include supervision and training needed to maintain competitive employment:

a.Ensures services provided in accordance with each individual's person directed plan.

b.Provides training, supports, or interventions related to sustaining the individual's employment provided directly to the individual at the job site.

c.Communicates and interfaces with supervisory and management staff at the individual's job site.

d.Actively works to connect the individual with co-workers to provide natural supports at the job site.

e.Actively protects individuals from abuse, neglect, and violations of their rights that may be encountered in a community job.

3.Provide In-Home Respite Services to GR consumers as directed.Services are provided on an emergency or planned basis as short-term relief to primary care giver.Supports may include any service listed under Supported Home Living or Community Support Services.

a.Ensures services provided in accordance with each individual's service plan.

b.Ensures all respite services scheduled through appropriate supervisor personnel.

4.Consumer Interactions: Develops rapport with each individual served in a manner that demonstrates respect with an approach that centers on each persons goals and preferences:

a.Communicates and acts in a manner that supports the rights of individuals.

b.Utilizes communication techniques, including verbal Prevention and Management of Aggressive Behavior (PMAB) and behavior management methods, to prevent need for more intrusive measures of behavior intervention.

c.Actively protects individuals from abuse, neglect, and violations of their rights.

5.Consumer Safety: Ensures consumer safety by providing adequate supervision to ensure health and safety needs are met and /or reported for each consumer served.

a.Provides supervision according to individual treatment plan.

b.Reports health or safety concerns to nursing and supervisory personnel immediately.

c.Provides emergency intervention when necessary according to Center rules and procedures, including CPR, PMAB, and First Aid.

6.Program Implementation: Implementation of the individual's service plan implementing formal and informal training programs including:

a.Completion of all required data trials of assigned training programs and therapy activities.

b.Completes all documentation required for program implementation including tracking logs and service notes.

c.Ensure that service note documentation includes a written narrative for each service event that describes the service and; when appropriate, includes information pertaining to the individual's progress toward goals and objectives identified in the service plan.

7.Incorporates training identified in the individual plan into daily activities as required, including reinforcement of specialized therapies as directed.

8.Transportation: If assigned, provides transportation maintaining Center guidelines and State laws.

9.Safely transports individuals both in Denton and to other locations in surrounding counties using Center vehicles without accident, citation or other incident.

a.Follows all Center guidelines while driving, including restriction of food, drink, smoking, and cell phone use.

b.Adheres to all state driving laws.

c.Ensures vehicles are maintained with appropriate amounts of fuel and fluids.

d.Completes all required vehicle checklists as scheduled.

e.Maintains fuel and fluid levels of vehicles and reports all maintenance issues immediately to appropriate supervisor.

f.Maintains personal driving record within agency standards and requirements.

g.Provides ongoing evidence of current auto liability insurance.

h.Provides transportation in own vehicle only as approved by supervisory staff.

10.Community Integration: If assigned, assists consumers in community shopping, recreation, employment assistance, and leisure activities as determined by the service plan.

a.Promote inclusion in community activities by encouraging choice of activities.

b.Ensure assistance is provided according to service plan including collecting and submitting required receipts and entering appropriate documentation in check register as required.

11.Reliability

a.Completes tasks within assigned time lines.

b.Is consistently available to support individuals served so that programs and services occur without interruption.

12.Communication

a.Ensures that internal communications follow departmental procedures with respect to protocol and lines of authority.

b.Advises supervisor promptly of incidents or situations, which would have an unusual, effect on, either positive or negative, on the agency's mission productivity, or direct services.

c.Adherence to state and federal laws, regulations, and agency policy.

d.No deviations from laws, regulations policies, or procedures pertaining to the operation of the Center. When deviations do occur, they are reported as needed to the supervisor.

e.Reports allegations or suspicions of abuse, neglect, or exploitation per Center policy.

f.Adherence to facility and agency Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) standards.

g.Adherence to facility and agency workforce diversity standards, plans and activities.

13.Work Safety and Health

a.Adhere to all emergency and preventative safety procedures, including Universal Precautions, in the performance of all work duties.

b.Identify and immediately report safety hazards to designated personnel.

c.Complete incident report for all on-the-job injuries and report to designated personnel on the shift the injury occurred.

14.Successful completion of all staff development training as required for position.

15.Perform additional duties as deemed necessary by department supervisor within designated timeframes.

16.Monitor service delivery for Community Support, Independent Living Skills Training, Employment Assistance, and Respite

a.Ensure programming provided according to the service plan, Consumer Information Sheet, Individualized Schedules, and Behavior Management Plans, as applicable for each consumer.

i.Provides training on consumer information to Community Support Specialists

17.Completes staff training following program changes, annual planning conferences, upon hire, or as needed.

18.Schedules and monitors completion of consumer specific special needs training, as determined by service team.

19.Maintains accurate, organized records of staff training.

20.Monitors quality of documentation including but not limited to Service Activity Logs (SALs), progress notes, training records, medication logs, vehicle logs, gas cards, CARE data, and other client specific records.

a.Verify documents for accuracy and compliance with GR billing guidelines.

b.Monitors submission of billing documents weekly.

c.Ensures documentation is submitted in a timely manner.

d.Ensures all billable contacts documented and submitted to billing.

e.Monitors billing utilization reports.

f.Compiles delinquency reports as requested.

21.Participates in the Center's Zero Suicide Initiative.

a.Supports individuals experiencing a crisis by promptly connecting them with appropriate Center programs, such as the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT), Psychiatric Triage, Crisis Prevention services, and/or other applicable resources. Ensure seamless coordination to facilitate timely intervention.

b.Remains with individuals, when deemed safe, to provide support and maintain a calm environment until specialized crisis staff or emergency personnel arrive to take over intervention efforts. Adheres to safety protocols to prevent escalation of the crisis situation.

c.Participates in debriefing sessions with the immediate supervisor or designated staff following a crisis event. Collaborate with the team to review the incident, identify lessons learned, and ensure all HHSC guidelines and Center policies are followed.