Direct Development Specialist - Community… at Family… · Montgomer…

POSITION SUMMARYUnder the direction of the Manager, the Community Development Support Specialist (CDSS) supports individuals in developing independence with daily living and community integration skills to achieve their personal goals. Responsibilities include providing training, supervision, and assistance in areas such as communication, socialization, mobility, travel, problem-solving, money management, and life safety. Services are primarily community-based and focused on volunteer and recreational activities. The CDSS must maintain a safe, supportive environment and adhere to all agency policies and values.DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS•Works with the people we support to help them identify and realize their personal life goals.•Advocates with the people we support in a variety of situations.•Works with the people we support to teach them new life skills.•Works in partnership with the people we support to promote their health and safety.•Assists the people we support to overcome barriers and challenges to establishing and maintaining a network of relationships and valued social roles.•Works with the people we support and other members of the interdisciplinary team to develop person-centered plans that aid the person in achieving their personal life goals.•Provides positive behavior support to the people we support as necessary.•Prevents, recognizes, and reports abuse toward the people we support.•Provides direct services, in person only, that support the participant(s) in the least restrictive manner.•Teaches, assists, and motivates one or more participants in identifying activities that reflect the participant(s) wishes based on the objectives and valued outcomes identified in the person-centered plan and assists them with developing independence in those areas.•Assists with participant(s) abilities including areas of self-care, independent living, community integration, etc. as directed in the person-centered plan.•Responds appropriately to crisis/emergency situations in order to ensure and secure the safety and well-being of participant(s), including but not limited to acting appropriately to severity of the situation, adherence to regulatory/agency guidelines, communication and documentation of situation to appropriate staff, honor the participant’s right to assume risk in an informed manner, etc.•Prevents abuse and correctly follows procedures for responding and mandated reporting to agency and other representatives/personnel as directed.•Works with participant(s) and their support network to identify areas of risk and to create safeguards to these concerns.•Proactively and respectfully addresses challenging behaviors with the participant and their Supervisor as needed.•Attends IDT-Interdisciplinary team meetings or Life Plans meetings and participates in required training including but not limited to behavioral and medical trainings, as needed.•Ensures that all required documentation (paper and electronic) is completed /processed appropriately, in a timely manner, and meets quality and compliance thresholds.•Performs other duties as assigned.Responsibilities of All FREE of Maryland Employees•Always communicates in a respectful manner with all people including the people we support, supervisors, other valued team members, and members of the community.•Complies fully with FREE of Maryland’s confidentiality policies by holding in strictest confidence all information pertaining to members, residents, the people we support and their families, clients, providers, contractors, and employees.•Meets all safety training requirements; adheres to all safety policies and reports any and all unsafe conditions; takes measures to prevent accidents and/or eliminate conditions that pose a safety or health risk.•Coordinates, supports, attends and participates in all required events/ meetings/ reviews/ committees, including ones outside of standard working hours.•Meets all job requirements and stays in compliance.•Adheres to FREE of Maryland’s standard of ethical behavior as outlined in the Employee Handbook and Code of Conduct as well as applicable laws and regulations.Please note the above duties, responsibilities, and essential functions are a non-exhaustive list, and may be changed by FREE of Maryland at any time, with or without notice to the employee.QUALIFICATIONS•Education:oHigh School Diploma or equivalent is required•Experience:oExperience performing related job duties such as providing services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities or a similar population preferred.•Specialized Training, Licenses, Certifications:oMust have or obtain required credentials, certifications, and training designated by the DDA to provide services based on person-centered plans.oCPR/FA certification required prior to working with the individuals.oAll other trainings must be completed within 45 days of hire.oCertified by Maryland Board of Nursing as a Medication Technician to perform treatments as applicable•Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Abilities:oProficient computer skills preferredoProficient writing skills with grasp of basic grammar and spellingoDemonstrated ability to work in a team environment with flexibility, keeping others informed and anticipating needs is essentialoMust be efficient, well organized, and have excellent written and verbal communication skillsoMoney management and time management skillsoKnowledgeable about community resources and linkages•Other Requirements:o18 years of age or olderoValid Driver’s License and satisfy criteria to be an agency driver required, including having auto insurance for personal vehicle.oPass a criminal background check and any other required background checksWORK ENVIRONMENTThis role is performed in-person with travel between FREE of Maryland sites and community locations required.PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS•Employee is required to sit, walk and stand for prolonged period of time (at least 8 hours).•Employee is required to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.•Employee is required to operate standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, fax and filing cabinets.•Employee is required to reach with hands and arms.•Employee is required to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch or stand on a stool as needed.•Employee is required to be able to lift 50 pounds at a time.Notwithstanding the above listed physical requirements of this position, FREE of Maryland will provide reasonable accommodations to allow employees to perform the essential functions of the position, provided such reasonable accommodations do not cause undue hardship on FREE of Maryland