Position Title: Lead Habilitation Counselor

Status: Non-Exempt (Full-Time, 35 hours)

Hourly Rate: $25.00

Department: Direct Care

About The Arc Rockland

The Arc Rockland is a proud chapter of The Arc United States, serving nearly 800 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Rockland County. We offer a wide range of programs, including early childhood education, residential services, employment opportunities, autism-specific supports, family resources, medical care, and recreational activities. With a team of over 600 dedicated professionals, we focus on abilities and work hand-in-hand with individuals and families to promote inclusion and independence. At The Arc Rockland, every person is valued as an integral member of the community.

Position Summary

The Lead Habilitation Counselor provides direct habilitative services to individuals, promoting independence and well-being through personalized goals and interventions. They coordinate and implement programs across Day Habilitation, Pre-vocational, and Community Habilitation settings, ensuring services align with individuals’ interests and needs. This role includes supervising and guiding Community Specialists, conducting observations, and contributing to performance reviews to maintain quality standards. The counselor is responsible for documenting service delivery, verifying billing accuracy, and writing progress notes while upholding ethical care practices. Additionally, they serve as a leadership figure within the program, fostering communication with supervisors and modeling best practices for staff.

Role’s Responsibilities

• Provide direct habilitative services to individuals, promoting independence and well-being.
• Assess individuals’ needs and develop personalized habilitative goals and objectives.
• Implement interventions and teaching procedures tailored to each individual’s preferences.
• Coordinate, plan, schedule, and implement programs and activities in Day Habilitation, Pre-vocational, and Community Habilitation settings.
• Deliver direct supports and instructional services based on individuals’ interests and desires.
• Ensure effective implementation of habilitative services and adherence to established protocols.
• Develop, implement, and document habilitative goals and objectives and behavior support plans.
• Observe and assist Community Specialists in implementing teaching procedures.
• Ensure appropriate habilitative services are delivered by staff at program sites and in the community.
• Serve as a positive role model and provide guidance, feedback, and support to Community Specialists.
• Maintain open communication with program supervisors and the Director.
• Complete formal observations of Community Specialists and provide input for performance reviews.
• Document and verify service delivery and ensure accurate daily billing.
• Write monthly progress notes and uphold ethical standards of individualized care.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Counseling, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field is required. No waiver will be permitted for these requirements.

• A minimum of one (1) year of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities is strongly preferred.

• Must be 21 years of age or older

• Must have a valid New York State driver’s license with a clean record. License must be active for a minimum of two (2) years.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSAs):

• Strong commitment to The Arc Rockland mission and values and to working with individuals with IDD and their families. Promotes the Agency’s mission and policies at all times.

• Demonstrates commitment and a positive approach to the job and uses time effectively to ensure maximum productivity.

• Ability to read, write and speak English. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Inform supervisor and other team members of relevant issues in a timely manner.

• Ability to learn and implement principles of positive behavior support and behavior management

• Background in curriculum development and familiarity with principles and practices of planning, teaching, evaluation and supervision of people with IDD.

• Learns and follows the agencies policies and procedures and attends mandatory in-service programs given by the agency. Must be able to maintain the strictest confidentiality.

• Responsible for full understanding of emergency / evacuation procedures.

• Adapts to new or unusual situations or changes without affecting performance.

• Strong interpersonal skills. Works cooperatively with team members, supervisors, and all other agency personnel.

• Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

• Attentive to the work environment and provides appropriate intervention as needed.

• Strong communication and customer service skills and the ability to maintain confidentiality. Maintains confidentiality of organizational and individual information.

• Respectful of the rights and feelings of others and maintains a demeanor appropriate to a work environment.

• Reports to work and leaves work on time as scheduled.

• Accepts and efficiently performs job tasks, duties, and assignments as instructed.

• Ability to prioritize assignments and delegate responsibility. Ability to teach and coach others.

• Demonstrates concern and courtesy to staff and visitors.

• Must successfully complete within six months of hire date and then maintain, certification for required training in Medication Administration (AMAP), Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), First Aid, and Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention – Revised (SCIP-R), as required.

• Must successfully complete training on gastrointestinal nourishment assistance, ie. caring for G tubes, as applicable.

• Must successfully complete and maintain The Arc Rockland driver authorization.

• Must possess computer skills, ability to learn how to utilize the electronic health record and to complete virtual training requirements on electronic learning management system.

What We Offer

• Comprehensive Health Coverage including Medical plans with low premium contributions, Dental, and Vision plans

• 403(b) Retirement Savings plan with employer match

• Employer-Paid Life Insurance

• Generous Paid Time Off (starts at 20 days annually for new non-union employees)

• Paid Training to set you up for success from day one

• Flexible Scheduling Options including morning, evening, overnight, and weekend shifts

• Part-Time and Full-Time Roles to fit your lifestyle

• Tuition Assistance Program & Career Advancement opportunities

• Voluntary Benefits including Short-Term Disability, Cancer Care & Accident, Pet Insurance, and Auto & Renters Insurance

• Employee Assistance Program

How To Apply?
Please complete our employment application and email it to recruitment@thearcrockland.org. We look forward to hearing from you! There is never a fee to apply for a role at The Arc Rockland.

The Arc Rockland is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Arc Rockland strives to create and maintain a work environment in which people are treated with dignity, decency, and respect, providing everyone with an equal opportunity to thrive.  We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that values the unique perspectives and contributions of all of our employees – a workplace where every employee is able to bring their whole self to work.