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Life Skills Specialist - Adult Group Home

Vanderheyden Hall

Troy, NYJob$21–23/hrSeen todaySeen in employer's feed today

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At a glance

Compensation
$21–23/hr
Location
Troy, NY
Work Authorization
Not specified

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Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Medication Certification, requiredCPR/First Aid, requiredSCIP/Promote Certification, requiredNYS Driver's License, required

Job overview

The Life Skills Specialist implements personal goals outlined in individuals’ staff action plans and life plans, and supports individuals in developing community connections and relationships. The role provides direct services and oversight in an adult group home setting, promotes independence through community access and education, and supports individuals in understanding medical recommendations. The specialist documents progress, maintains safeguards, and follows applicable OPWDD requirements.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Microsoft Word, requiredMicrosoft Excel, requiredWriting, requiredRestraint Performance, requiredCultural Responsiveness, requiredCommunity-Based Work, requiredAdaptability, requiredPositive Attitude, requiredDecision-Making, requiredRespect for Diverse Viewpoints, requiredProfessional Demeanor, required

Qualifications

High School Diploma or GED, required3 Years Developmental Disabilities Residential Experience, requiredNYS Driver's License, requiredClean Motor Vehicle Record, requiredMedication Certification, requiredCPR/First Aid, requiredSCIP/Promote Certification, required

Full job description

Rate: $21 USD per hour

Description

The life skills specialist is responsible for the implementation of personal goals outlined in the individual's staff action plan and life plan. The life skills specialist assists individuals supported in developing community connections and relationships.

Primary Duties & Essential Functions:

  • To ensure and monitor the implementation of each individual’s Staff Action Plan in the IRA.

  • Complete monthly summaries and monthly billing requirements in accordance with OPWDD and Medicaid regulations.

  • Show consistency of specific valued outcomes identified by the treatment team as outlined in the Individual’s Life Plan.

  • Document individuals' progress with personal goals identified in the staff action plans.

  • Ensure individuals’ safeguards are accurate.

  • Ensure individuals' safeguards are accurate and up to date.

  • Provide direct services and oversight to individuals.

  • Ensure compliance with OPWDD regulations of assigned programs.

  • Demonstrate and adhere to OPWDD Core Competencies and Code of Ethics.

  • Assist individuals in establishing community connections for building relationships and recreation.

  • Assist individuals in accessing education classes and resources to promote independence and relationships.

  • Promotes person-centered services and independence through assisting individuals to shop at stores of preference, establish pharmacy preference, and access transportation.

  • Assists individuals in understanding and adhering to medical advice or recommendations. Facilitates education to help the individual make informed decisions.

  • Attends life plan meetings as needed.

  • Maintains medication certification and CPR/FA.

  • Maintains communication with Care Managers as needed.

Required education & skills:

  • High School Diploma/GED.

  • Must have at least 3 years’ experience in serving individuals with developmental disabilities in a residential setting.

  • Must have intermediate skills in Microsoft Word and Excel.

  • Demonstrated skills in writing.

Abilities and Working Conditions:

  • Must have a valid NYS driver’s license with a clean MVR.

  • Must be able to perform restraints and maintain SCIP/Promote certification.

  • Willingness to respond to the needs of a culturally diverse population.

  • Ability to work out in the community (mobile program).

  • Ability to deal positively with changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

  • Display a positive, professional, and proactive attitude to accomplish quality work that is in line with the agency’s mission statement and sanctuary philosophy.

  • Seek opinions and alternative viewpoints in decision-making. Understand and respect the expertise and experience of others, appreciate the different views, and the perspective and limitations of other individuals.

  • Exhibits a professional, courteous demeanor with internal and external constituents.

Pay: $21-$23 an hour

Vanderheyden is committed to the National Sanctuary Model - a blueprint for clinical and organizational change which, at its core, promotes safety and recovery from adversity through the active creation of a trauma-informed community. The Sanctuary Model's focus is not only on the people who seek services, but equally on the people and systems that provide those services.

Vanderheyden, as an Equal Opportunity Employer, does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices on the basis of gender, race or ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, military or marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, prior arrest or conviction record or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

Qualifications

Education

Required

  • High School or better

Experience

Required

  • 3 years: Serving individuals with developmental disabilities in a residential setting

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.

How this job compares

Set against the 685 open Direct Support Professional jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 13, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$21–23/hr
  • New York median$20/hr181 hourly ranges
  • US median$19–20/hr552 hourly ranges

This range's midpoint, $22/hr, is 10% above the New York median midpoint ($20/hr) — in the middle half of Direct Support Professional hourly ranges in New York.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 200 open Direct Support Professional jobs in New York and 685 across the US. Under 1% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in New York
Experience
This posting asks for at least 3 years of experience — more than three in four Direct Support Professional postings that state a minimum ask for (median 1 year, across 228 postings).
Education
This posting asks for a high school diploma; 457 of the 685 open Direct Support Professional jobs (67%) ask for a high school diploma or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 13, 2026. Figures based on too few postings are left out.

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