Skills Development Specialist - Designated Coordinator

Job Class: Skills Development Specialist

Working Title: Skills Development Specialist - Designated Coordinator

• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 11/01/2021
• Closing Date: 11/15/2021
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Human Services Dept / DHS MAPE State Operated Svcs
• Division/Unit: MSOCS Residential Southwest / MSOCS FC Jefferson
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Rotating Shift
• Days of Work: Varies
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $20.40 - $29.50/hourly; $42,595 - $61,596/annually
• Job Class Option: Designated Coordinator
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Connect 700 Program Eligible: Yes

This position is located in Northfield, MN.

The Skills Development Specialist (SDS) is the lead worker at the home and plays a key role in overseeing programs, activities, and scheduling, under the supervision of the Community Residential Supervisor. The SDS will split their time between direct care responsibilities and administrative responsibilities to design, implement and evaluate behavioral support strategies for individuals at the site. Hours will vary, candidates must be available to work evenings and weekends as needed.

All of the individuals supported at this location have a diagnosis of moderate to severe Intellectual Disabilities as well as mental health diagnoses including oppositional defiance disorder and bipolar, among others. The home is familiar with managing verbal aggression, property destruction, obsessive compulsive behaviors and physical aggression. One individual is non-verbal and one individual has limited verbal skills. All of the individuals require assistance with ADL’s at varying levels. Two individuals utilize wheelchairs and two are ambulatory.

The home is staffed with an awake night staff and a 2:4 staff ratio most waking hours. Two of the individuals are fully retired, one attends a day program partial days and one attends a day program all day. The home has fairly high medical needs including diabetes testing and management, management of chronic aspiration pneumonia and monitoring of mobility decline as well as other age related concerns. One of the individuals has delicate medical conditions and can become ill very quickly. Staff are trained to closely monitor any subtle changes in the health condition of this individual and seek medical assistance promptly. Two individuals are very active in the community, while one of the other individuals is limited often by poor health conditions but is as active as their health allows. The individuals do participate in a variety of activities in and around the area. Many activities are brought to the home to enrich the lives of the individuals including devotional services, massage therapy and occupational therapy.

Minimum Qualifications

Must meet the qualifications to be a Designated Coordinator:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in human services-related field AND = 1 year full-time work experience providing direct care services to persons with disabilities or who are 65 years old or more; OR
• Associate’s in human services-related field AND 2 years’ full-time work experience or more providing direct care services to persons with disabilities or who are = 65 years old; OR
• Diploma in human services-related field (from an accredited postsecondary institution) AND 3 years’ full-time work experience or more providing direct care services to persons with disabilities or who are 65 years old or more; OR
• 50 hours of education and training related to human services and disabilities AND 4 years’ full-time work experience or more providing direct care services to persons with disabilities or who are 65 years old or greater under the supervision of a person who meets the qualifications in one of the categories above.

Candidates must also minimally meet these required qualifications:

• Must have a valid Driver’s License
• Ability to develop person-centered support plans that use Positive Support principles and practices, including Person-Centered Thinking and Planning, Positive Behavior Support, and recovery-oriented mental health supports.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, to promote among team members a shared understanding of support goals and implementation of methods.
• Ability to develop a schedule of activities to ensure that resources are used effectively in implementing programs according to plans.
• Ability to apply consistent principles in assessing individuals’ interfering behavior, skill development needs, and progress toward achieving individual goals.
• Ability to work rotating or irregular hours as needed, or directed. Ability to provide direct care as needed.
• Knowledge of coaching principles sufficient to motivate and guide employees.
• Knowledge of support principles and techniques sufficient to plan, design, and implement individual program strategies for assigned individuals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Our employees are dedicated to ensuring cultural responsiveness. Preferred candidates will have a variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.

• Three or more years of leadership experience in a direct care setting.

• Three or more years of experience writing, modifying, or evaluating program plans.

Additional Requirements

To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.

REFERENCE/BACKGROUND CHECKS - The Department of Human Services will conduct reference checks to verify job-related credentials and criminal background check prior to appointment.

Why Work For Us

GREAT BENEFITS PACKAGE! The State of Minnesota offers a comprehensive benefits package including low cost medical and dental insurance, employer paid life insurance, short and long term disability, pre-tax flexible spending accounts, retirement plan, tax-deferred compensation, generous vacation and sick leave, and 11 paid holidays each year.

Our differences make us stronger and leveraging them helps us create a workforce where everyone can thrive. The State of Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embedding diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at our workplace. We do this by developing strong leaders and advocates, increasing cultural competence and understanding among all employees, and removing institutional barriers and attitudes that prevent employees from advancing as far as their talents will take them. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), marital status, familial status, receipt of public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, or age.

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637.

For additional information about the application process, go to https://www.mn.gov/careers.

Contact

If you have questions about the position, contact Jana Salmon at jana.m.salmon@state.mn.us.

If you are a Connect 700 applicant, please email your certificate and the Job posting ID#/50191 to Niki Powers at nicole.powers@state.mn.us by the position close date.

If you are an individual with a disability and need an ADA accommodation for an interview, you may contact the Department of Human Services’ ADA Coordinator at
651-431-4945 or DHS_ADA@state.mn.us for assistance.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Minnesota is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employer. We are committed to providing culturally responsive services to all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. Please indicate what assistance you need.