Review Vacancy
AgencyPeople With Developmental Disabilities, Office for
TitleRehabilitation Counselor 2 - Upstate
Occupational CategoryHealth Care, Human/Social Services
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $70579 to $89645 Annually
Duties Description Complete progress notes and referrals that are written by the rehabilitation staff, assuring compliance with recordkeeping requirements and standards.
• Screen, evaluate, and approve all referrals.
• Match and assign patients to appropriate daily programs.
• Monitor tracking system.
• Assure patient records are maintained as outlined.
• Coordinate treatment planning with rehabilitation department.
Complete a comprehensive evaluation of rehabilitation and social needs of patients and the development of patient goals and programming to meet the needs of patients.
• Review policies and procedures with staff.
• Review rehabilitation programs available to patients.
• Coordinate development of goals and programs with subordinate rehabilitation staff and treatment teams.
• Participate with the Treatment Team Leader in policy meetings, long-term program planning, and review meetings to update, improve, and maintain programs which meet client needs and use current evidenced-based practices.
Evaluate and identify the needs of patients to determine the advisability of referrals to other specialists, advising patients of such judgments, and communicating as requested or deemed appropriate to such referral sources.
• Coordinate services, interacting with significant others, placing patients and follow up with them, monitoring progress, and solving problems.
• Determine what changes have occurred as a result of a planned program by comparing actual changes (results) with desired changes (stated goals), and by identifying the degree to which the activity (planned program) is responsible for those changes.
• Act as rehabilitation liaison for services provided by the rehabilitation department.
Arrange for any necessary psychosocial, educational, and/or vocational services.
• Provide inpatient treatment teams with objective information concerning a patient's performance abilities in the areas of residential, social, and daily living skills.
• Interpret, report, and document all ongoing patient progress.
• Assist patients with interpreting their daily activities and experiences and the impact upon the rehabilitation process.
Assure compliance with recordkeeping requirements and standards.
• Match and assign patients to appropriate inpatient treatment programming.
• Monitor rehabilitation program tracking system.
• Monitor the delivery of rehabilitation programming.
• Assure rehabilitation documentation in records is maintained as outlined.
• Coordinate treatment planning with treatment team.
• Complete incident reporting and conduct investigations.
Evaluate rehabilitation and support needs of assigned clients on an ongoing basis.
• Document findings and recommendations to ensure treatment team members receive accurate and timely information regarding patient needs.
• Coordinate person-centered service plans with recipients to ensure services provided meet individual needs.
• Monitor client progress, consult with treatment team, and modify individual service plans as indicated.
• Participate in treatment team meetings by making recommendations and providing input, and by recommending and implementing modification of service plans as required to achieve desired outcome.
Additional Duties:
Provide administrative and operational oversight for the Evans location and additional Integrated Employment Services (IES) sites as assigned. Ensure services are delivered in accordance with the mission, vision, and values of Integrated Employment Services while maintaining compliance with OPWDD regulations, Medicaid requirements, agency policies, and applicable state and federal guidelines.
This position provides direct supervision and leadership to a large team of staff, across multiple locations and is responsible for ensuring consistent implementation of agency initiatives, operational procedures, and supervisory expectations. The incumbent is expected to foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and person-centered service delivery while maintaining safe, organized, and regulatory-compliant work environments.
The position serves as a liaison between Day Services, Residential Services, treatment teams, community partners, and agency leadership to ensure coordinated supports and seamless service delivery that promote competitive integrated employment, community participation, and meaningful outcomes for the individuals served.
Provide direct supervision, leadership, and operational oversight to assigned staff and locations while promoting a positive, accountable, and solution-focused work environment. Communicate agency priorities, operational directives, and procedural changes, ensuring consistent implementation across all subordinate staff and assigned worksites.
Provide ongoing coaching, mentoring, and performance management to supervisory and direct support staff. Conduct supervisor-employee discussions, provide timely performance feedback, establish clear expectations, and ensure documentation is completed and processed in accordance with agency policies.
Oversee daily operations of assigned IES locations to ensure compliance with OPWDD regulations, Medicaid requirements, Department of Labor standards, agency policies, waiver service requirements, and applicable certification standards. Monitor program quality and implement improvement as necessary to maintain regulatory compliance and operational excellence.
Promote competitive integrated employment, volunteerism, community inclusion, and person-centered services by supporting individuals in achieving meaningful employment and community participation goals. Assist individuals in accessing appropriate Day Services, employment services, and community opportunities based on assessed needs, Life Plans, Personal Outcome Measures, and individual preferences.
Assist with recruitment, onboarding, orientation, and ongoing development of Job Coaches and supervisory staff. Identify training needs, provide coaching, monitor competency, and ensure staff maintain knowledge of applicable regulations, policies, service expectations, and best practices.
Assist with development and implementation of strategies to improve documentation quality, service delivery, operational efficiency, and staff performance. Monitor required documentation for accuracy, timeliness, and compliance while providing follow-up training and corrective action as needed.
Maintain staffing schedules that meet regulatory requirements, contractual obligations, and program needs while ensuring appropriate staffing ratios and effective utilization of personnel.
Plan, facilitate, and lead routine staff meetings to communicate organizational initiatives, review program expectations, address operational concerns, encourage collaboration, and promote continuous quality improvement.
Represent Integrated Employment Services at meetings, committees, and workgroups supporting employment initiatives, transformation efforts, and program development. Participate in DDSO committees and collaborative groups that advance employment opportunities and community integration.
Develop and deliver presentations, trainings, and informational sessions for staff, supervisors, treatment teams, community partners, and other target audiences regarding employment initiatives, waiver services, agency procedures, regulatory changes, and best practices.
Collaborate with Treatment Teams, clinical teams, care managers, families, and other stakeholders to ensure coordinated service planning and effective implementation of all person-centered plans. Provide leadership in advancing the statewide Transformation Agenda by promoting innovative service models, community integration, employment-first principles, and continuous program development.
Provide guidance and training regarding Pathway to Employment, Supported Employment (SEMP), Community Pre-Vocational Services, and other OPWDD waiver services to ensure staff understand program expectations and service delivery requirements.
Provide supervisory coverage for Site Supervisors and other operational positions as assigned to ensure continuity of operations and uninterrupted service delivery.
Maintain effective written and verbal communication with individuals receiving services, staff, supervisors, leadership, Treatment Teams, community employers, and external stakeholders to promote collaboration, resolve concerns, and achieve positive outcomes.
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned in support of Integrated Employment Services and agency operations.
Serve as the liaison and provide ongoing oversight for community employers that utilize contracts for paying wages. Develop and maintain positive working relationships with businesses. Provide oversight and support for payroll processes, wage reporting, tax-related documentation, and Social Security Administration (SSA) reporting requirements, ensuring records are accurate, complete, and maintained in accordance with agency policies and applicable regulations. Assist in resolving complex payroll, wage, and reporting issues as needed to ensure continuity of services and compliance.
Represent Integrated Employment Services in meetings related to contracted employment with agency leadership, community employers, and external stakeholders to strengthen partnerships, promote collaboration, and support the continued growth and advancement of the IES service model throughout the region and across New York State.
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Minimum Qualifications Promotion:
One year of permanent service as a Rehabilitation Counselor 1 AND a qualifying bachelor's or higher degree* and reachable for appointment on the current Civil Service Eligible List for this title.
*Qualifying degrees are: Applied Psychology, Art Therapy, Audiology, Clinical Mental Health, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Communication Disorders, Community and Human Services, Community Mental Health Counseling, Counseling, Counseling and Community Psychology, Counseling Education, Creative Art Therapy, Education, Experimental Psychology, Expressive Art Therapy, Forensic Mental Health, Forensic Psychology, Gerontology, Health Administration, Health and Human Services, Human Development, Human Services, Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Music Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Psychology, Psychoanalysis, Recreation Therapy, Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Welfare, Social Work, Special Education, Speech Communication, Speech/Language Pathology, or Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling.
Open Competitive:
A bachelor’s degree in a human service field and three years of professional experience providing vocational, psychosocial, or rehabilitative/habilitative services in an agency primarily serving individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities, mental illness, or addictions.
Substitution:
A master's degree in a related field can substitute for one year of specialized experience.
Transfer:
Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55-b/c status in the posted title and be eligible for lateral transfer; OR be eligible to transfer via Section 70.1, 70.4, or 52.6 of Civil Service Law. The transfer cannot be a second consecutive transfer resulting in an advancement of more than two salary grades.
To determine if your current Civil Service title is eligible for transfer to this title, visit the Career Mobility GOT-IT website: https://careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/gotit/index.cfm.
Additional Comments This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). HELPS Program titles may be filled via a non-competitive appointment. This means that you do not need to take an exam to qualify, but you do need to meet the minimum qualifications of the title.
At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), employees hired under NY HELPS are expected to have their permanent non-competitive employment status converted to permanent competitive status. You will not have to take an exam to gain permanent competitive status.
• 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.
• 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.
• Preference will be given to OPWDD employees impacted by closures. If you are being impacted by closure, please indicate this on your resume.
• 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 or job applicant believes that they need a reasonable accommodation, they should contact the Reasonable Accommodation Unit at (518) 486-7222 or email accommodationrequests@opwdd.ny.gov to obtain information and RA forms.
• 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.
• Paid Parental Leave:
Paid Parental Leave allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave at full pay for each qualifying event. A qualifying event is defined as the birth of a child or placement of a child for adoption or foster care.
• 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://oer.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.
***All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.***
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Name Western New York Human Resources Office
Email Address opwdd.sm.wny.bids@opwdd.ny.gov
Address
Street 1200 East and West Road
Building 1, West Seneca Campus
Notes on ApplyingPlease email your cover letter, resume and transcript to opwdd.sm.wny.bids@opwdd.ny.gov and reference vacancy ID in your email.