Review Vacancy
AgencyPeople With Developmental Disabilities, Office for
TitleSocial Work Assistant 2 (NY HELPS)
Occupational CategoryHealth Care, Human/Social Services
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $61516 to $78307 Annually
Minimum Qualifications Candidates from outside or within State Service can be considered for hire under the Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement – Statewide (NY HELPS) program if they have a bachelor’s degree in a human service field and 2 year of social work experience.
Substitution: Master’s degree in social work can substitute for 1 year of specialized experience. OR
Candidates within State Service can be considered for a competitive class appointment if they are reachable on the current eligible list. OR
Candidates from within State Service can be considered transfer to a competitive class position if they have one year of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service in a title eligible for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law.
Duties Description POSITION DESCRIPTION:
This position will serve as a Social Work Assistant (SWA) for a division of the Service Access Program Implementation and Stakeholder Support- Regional Field Office (SPSRFO). Divisions within the Regional Field Office include the following: Service Access (Front Door and Waiver Services), Eligibility, Self-Direction, Housing, Crisis, Property/Development, Fiscal, and Quality Management/Technical Assistance.
Through the five Regional Field Office(s) with OPWDD over 130,000 individuals are supported through collaboration and engagement with over 700 voluntary providers, 6 State Operated Development Disabilities Service Operation Offices, and 7 Care Coordination Service Organizations. Region Field Office oversight encompasses 13 specific districts throughout NYS as noted below:
Regional Field Office 4 has oversight in Manhattan/Bronx (Metro), Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island
Under the supervision of the Unit Supervisor, the function of the position provides essential services for the Regional Field Office and coincides with the expectations of the core mission of OPWDD to provide necessary services to individuals with disabilities. As a Unit Liaison, the incumbent will perform administrative duties related to the operation of the Self Direction, Waiver, Housing, Fiscal, Property or Quality Management and Technical Assistant Units, including assisting with planning, development, implementation, operation, and authorization, keeping apprised of new initiatives as well as keeping current with changes in existing programs.
Travel within the Region may be required, as well as intermittent travel to other areas of the state.
DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES
• Have proficient computer skills including data entry, use of databases, spreadsheets, and Microsoft products such as word, TEAMS and SharePoint.
• Assist the Department Lead with receiving, reviewing, and processing service requests, this may include self-direction budgets, requests for waiver services via authorizations and/or amendments, in addition to housing subsidies.
• Maintain knowledge and understanding of OPWDD policies and procedures. Review ADM’s, Protocols, Policies and Procedures as released and conduct training and ensure implementation. Emphasis in Self Direction, HCBS Waiver Services and Family Support Services is necessary.
• Represents the Regional Field Office in local & statewide meetings regarding OPWDD Services and changes in the service delivery systems.
• Assist and Participate in any Regional Office Quality Review and Quality Assurance as related to OPWDD service authorization
• Participate in local and statewide meetings and other trainings and workgroups as indicated. Public Speaking is required and training with providers such as fiscal intermediaries, support brokers, residential and other service provider; in addition to community partners.
• Foster effective collaboration and communication with individuals, families, Care Coordination Organizations, agencies, Local Government Units and other community stakeholders.
• Participate in the regular maintenance of the Regional Field Office’s Policy and Procedural Manual.
• Provide technical assistance to Care Coordination Organizations and OPWDD provider agencies as needed.
• Process OPWDD Service Terminations as necessary
• Assist with OPWDD Enrollments, Track Service requests and authorizations, Maintain Development Plan, process fiscal, prior property approvals, Monitor TABS Reports as necessary, and/or Process DDP1s via CHOICES as related to Department Services
• Participate in Statewide Community of Practice (COP) Calls
• Travel/Site visit to programs and agencies may be required
• Additional tasks/duties/projects as assigned
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Additional Comments Please note:
• Please indicate your preferred location on all correspondence.
• If you are currently a New York State employee serving in a permanent competitive qualifying title and eligible for a transfer via Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law, you may be appointed to this title as a permanent competitive employee.
• Candidate must be reachable for appointment from the current Civil Service eligible list to be considered for a permanent competitive appointment.
• Preference will be given to OPWDD employees impacted by closures. If you are being impacted by closure, please indicate this on your resume/cover letter.
• The assignment of PS&T employees will be made in accordance with any agreed upon Memorandum of Understanding between PEF and the local DDSO regarding the posting of job vacancies
• All OPWDD employees must be eligible and maintain eligibility for full and unconditional participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Continued employment will depend on maintaining eligibility.
• If you are employed by state government you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments have been made under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. For more information on PSLF, please visit www.studentAid.gov/publicservice.
• Employees on long term leave can bid on positions but must be able to report to work within fourteen (14) days and be able to perform the essential functions of their positions with or without reasonable accommodation (RA). If an employee believes that they need a reasonable accommodation, they should contact the NYS OPWDD Workforce and Talent Management Central Office at (518) 473-4785 or Email at accommodationrequests@opwdd.ny.gov to obtain information and RA forms.
NYS offers Incredible Benefits!
• Savings programs such as the U.S. Savings Bond and the College Savings Plan.
• Voluntary pre-tax savings programs such as Health Care Spending Account and the Dependent Care Advantage Account offer employees options to pay for uncovered health care expenses or dependent care expenses.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) an assessment and referral service that connects employees with local service providers and support services to address their personal needs.
• Life insurance and Disability insurance.
• The New York State Deferred Compensation Plan is a voluntary retirement plan that offers employees the option to invest a part of their salaries for retirement on a tax-deferred basis.
Paid Holidays and Leave
• Thirteen (13) paid holidays each year.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave initially.
• Five (5) days paid personal leave each year.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave each year (PEF/CSEA), which may carry over from year to year.
• Up to three (3) days professional leave each year to participate in professional development events.
Health Care Coverage
Employees and their eligible dependents can choose from a variety of affordable health insurance programs. Employees are provided family dental and vision plans at no extra cost.
Retirement Program
Participate in The NYS Employees’ Retirement System (ERS), which is recognized as one of the best-managed and best-funded public retirement systems in the nation.
Professional Development and Education and Training
NYS offers training programs and tuition assistance to eligible employees to maintain and increase their professional skills and prepare them for promotional opportunities. For more information, please visit https://goer.ny.gov/training-and-professional-development.
Additionally, the Public Service Workshops Program (PSWP) offers certain professional training opportunities for PEF represented and M/C designated employees that may grant continuing education credits towards maintaining professional licensure. For more information, please visit https://oer.ny.gov/public-service-workshops-program-pswp.
• OPWDD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to creating and sustaining a culture of inclusion. We believe that we are most effective in managing and improving our service system with a diverse team of employees. With such a large workforce, we rely on the collective individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, self-expression, ideas, and talent that our employees bring to their work. This speaks to our culture and is a key part of our successes. As we continuously recruit people for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that applicants bring in terms of their education, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Email Address Metro.Careers@opwdd.ny.gov
Address
Human Resources Office
Notes on ApplyingPlease submit a cover letter and resume by December 17, 2024, and reference EOA #2024-260 on all correspondence.
Please indicate your preferred location on all correspondence:
• Metro NY DDSO: 25 Beaver Street, New York, NY 10004
• Staten Island DDSO: 930 Willowbrook Rd., Bldg. 12, Staten Island, NY 10314
• Bernard Fineson DDSO: 80-45 Winchester Blvd., Queens Village, NY 11428