What are the responsibilities and job description for the Community Habilitation Specialist/Day Habilitation Specialist position at YAI - Seeing Beyond Disability?
YAI is seeking creative, passionate, and highly motivated professionals to join our team as Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) across both Day Habilitation and Community Habilitation programs in Suffolk County.
As a DSP, you’ll work one-on-one and in group settings to empower people to live more independently and engage meaningfully in their communities. Your responsibilities may include:
- Teaching life skills such as cooking, budgeting, and travel training
- Supporting recreational and social activities
- Promoting community integration through outings and volunteer opportunities
- Assisting with personal care and daily routines as needed
Whether working in a structured day program or out in the community, you’ll play a vital role in helping people achieve their goals and live fulfilling lives.
YAI's Mission
Ready to join our 4,000 employees in a career at YAI?
Working at YAI means effecting real change in people's lives. It means going home at the end of the day knowing you have helped someone accomplish a goal. If you want a career supporting others, creatively finding solutions to life's challenges, and building a more inclusive community, YAI is the place for you!
Join us in our mission to create opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live, love, work, and learn in their communities. Learn more at yai.org/careers.
Key Responsibilities
- Adhering to policies, procedures and regulations.
- Using effective communication skills & time management skills
- Regularly providing one-to-one supports in community and in-home settings.
- Completing mandatory trainings based on the program and position (AMAP, CPR/First Aid, SCIP-R, Defensive Driving, etc.), as well as applying skills.
- Meeting and demonstrating OPWDD Core Competencies.
- Ensuring health, wellness and safety by managing crisis situations and providing appropriate supervision of the people we support.
- Demonstrating a willingness to assist people with ADLs.
- Transporting and escorting people we support on recreational activities, medical appointment, home visits, etc.
- Building Positive relationships.
- Maintaining a therapeutic environment through a variety of methods: Personal Outcome Measures, Person Centered Thinking, Informed Decision Making.
- Ensuring person centered plans are implemented.
- Completing documentation to ensure compliance and billing.
- Using foundational Teaching skills (EMOE, Task analysis, essential skills, supports and modifications, etc.
Education and Experience
- High School Diploma or GED preferred
- Work or life experience within the intellectual/developmental disabilities field is a plus
- Ability to support people with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
- Basic written and verbal communication.
- Basic computer knowledge.
- Valid Driver's License required.
- Personal vehicle required for Community Habilitation (Mileage reimbursed)
- Tuberculosis test mandatory for most positions
Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
- Willingness to take initiative
Schedule
- Monday - Friday; Hours can start as early as 7:30am up until 7:30pm
- Flexible; 24-32 hours/week for Part time positions
- 40 hours/week for Full time positions
Benefits
- DailyPay available - Work today, get paid today!
- Tuition reimbursement
- Medical and dental insurance - with options for family and more extensive medical plans, as well as vision (for Full time positions)
- Paid vacation, holiday, and sick time (depending on time type)
- Retirement Plan with employer matching contributions
- Life insurance and long-term disability
- Discounts on travel, entertainment, wireless services, shopping, and more. Check out our benefits page to learn more!
Compensation
- $19.05/hour
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: From $19.05 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
Work Location: In person
Salary : $19