ABILITIES FIRST, INC - Senior Coordinator, Day Habilitation Orange County

For over 60 years, Abilities First, Inc. has been empowering individuals with developmental disabilities to live their most vibrant, independent lives. From early education to adulthood, our wide range of services—including preschool and school programs, day and residential habilitation, community connections, and employment services—are designed to uplift every individual’s unique strengths and dreams.

We believe in the power of people—of every background, identity, and ability—to create change and build a more inclusive world. Abilities First is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is welcoming and supportive of people of varying abilities, races, ethnicities, religions, socio-economic status, gender and gender identities. At Abilities First, you’ll join a mission-driven team that values collaboration, celebrates individuality, and is dedicated to meaningful work. If you're ready to turn your passion into purpose, we’d love to welcome you aboard.

Abilities First is seeking a full time Senior Coordinator for Day Habilitation. This is a great opportunity for someone passionate about community inclusion, program coordination, and empowering individuals through meaningful experiences. 

Position Summary: The Senior Coordinator is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and operational oversight of assigned Day Habilitation Without Walls services, coordinating multiple community-based groups and staff teams. This role ensures that the people we support pursue meaningful goals and maximize personal outcomes through assessment, person-centered planning implementation, staff coaching, documentation integrity, and continuous quality improvement, consistent with applicable OPWDD requirements and agency standards. The Senior Coordinator partners with local community members and organizations to develop and maintain inclusive community connections, including identifying and establishing volunteer opportunities, and supports daily community scheduling, staff deployment, transportation coordination, and field-based problem solving to ensure safe, consistent service delivery across locations. In addition, this position supports the development and launch of new programming and/or new locations by helping establish routines, procedures, and staffing support, and by assisting with day-to-day operational set-up 

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week, based in Orange County

Salary Range: $24.50-$28.50 per hour

Position Summary

• Provides day-to-day program leadership, coaching, and mentoring to DSPs and related staff across multiple community-based groups; supports onboarding, scheduling coverage, staff deployment, and program implementation in the community.
• Monitors staff performance and competency development in alignment with NYS DSP Core Competencies and agency policy; provides timely feedback and documentation.
• Tracks and completes performance evaluations for Day Habilitation Specialists and Assistant Coordinator (as assigned), including goals, coaching plans, and required documentation.
•  Directs and delegates to the Assistant Coordinator (as assigned) to support daily operations, documentation, and program coverage.
• Facilitates and documents individual/team meetings; communicates priorities, training needs, and safety updates; and coordinates communication with families/guardians, care managers, clinicians, community partners, and internal departments.
• Ensures services, safeguards, and activities align with the person’s Life Plan (including CFA, as applicable) and Staff Action Plan; supports goal development, teaching strategies, and progress monitoring.
• Promotes meaningful participation in daily programming; models' best practices for community inclusion, independence, and skill-building.
• Reviews applications and schedules/conducts candidate interviews in collaboration with leadership and Human Resources.
• Completes daily/weekly/monthly Supervisor Checklist tasks by deadline; documents completion and follows up on open items
• Coordinates daily community schedules, routes, and coverage across multiple groups; provides real-time field support to address staffing changes, participant needs, transportation issues, and community site challenges while maintaining required supervision and service continuity.
• Supports Life Plan/ISP implementation by ensuring outcomes, safeguards, and services are carried out as authorized; develops and updates Staff Action Plans (and related program plans) in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team; obtains required clinical/leadership review and approvals per agency procedure; and ensures timely updates and closure/discontinuation of prior plans as appropriate.
• Manage admissions and electronic records: reviews packets, conducts initial interviews, coordinates visits (as appropriate), completes enrollment, creates/updates profiles, and corrects data to support documentation and billing readiness.
• Ensure timely, accurate documentation in the designated electronic system (e.g., service notes, data collection, incident documentation as applicable, and billing/supporting records) and submit required HAB checklists by the due date.
• Conducts monthly Level 1 reviews, sampling 10% of enrolled people each cycle; documents findings, shares results, and supports corrective actions.
• Supports compliance with OPWDD regulations and agency policy, including confidentiality, rights protections, behavioral supports, medication practices (as applicable), and required reporting.
• Acts as a Mandated Reporter by intervening as needed and reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or significant incidents per agency procedure.
• Ensures required training and certifications are current for self and staff; identifies gaps and coordinates completion.
• Uses culturally responsive, person-centered practices; supports rights, informed choice, and self-advocacy.
• Ensure operational readiness for community-based service delivery, including vehicles, required safety equipment, supplies, and documentation tools; supports community site-specific safety planning (e.g., emergency procedures, weather considerations, and risk mitigation in public settings).
• Promotes personal and workplace safety; supports emergency procedures and risk mitigation.
• Provides transportation as assigned by safely operating agency vehicles (up to 14 passengers) and completing required vehicle checks and documentation.
• Models’ professionalism and accountability through respect, teamwork, timely communication, and a commitment to service excellence 
• Ensures that employees follow the code of Ethical and Legal behavior and conform to the strictest standards of Corporate Compliance and HIPAA, as well as federal, state, local, and municipal laws, and regulations.
• Follows all agency policy and procedures and demonstrates continuous regard to personal safety and the safety of others.
• Adheres to the agency Code of Legal and Ethical Behavior and all policies and procedures; performs duties with honesty, integrity, fairness, and respect.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

This is a full-time position eligible for these benefits:

• Vacation, sick, personal, and holiday time off
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance options
• Retirement savings options with 403(b) plan
• Employer paid life insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Increased earning potential with online training through College of Direct Support
• On Demand Payment – access your earnings as early as the next day
• Discounts with Verizon, AT&T, Royal Carting, etc.
• And More!

• Bachelor’s Degree in a Human Services or related field and two (2) years of experience supporting people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD), including demonstrated leadership experience and at least one (1) year in a lead, senior, or supervisory capacity; or an equivalent combination of education and experience that, in the employer’s judgment, qualifies the candidate for the position.
• Demonstrated skill in person-centered planning, goal writing, teaching strategies, and documenting progress toward outcomes.
• Proficiency with computers and electronic documentation systems (e.g., data entry, email, and designated program/billing software) with attention to accuracy and timeliness.
• Current SCIP-R certification, CPR certification, and Standard First Aid (SFA) certification, or the ability to obtain/maintain certifications as required within agency-established timeframes.
• Valid NYS driver’s license is in good standing, with driving record acceptable to the agency’s insurance carrier.

Physical demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. This list is not intended to be all inclusive. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Unless reasonable accommodation can be made, to perform the essential functions of this position an individual is required to:

1. Safely lift up to 50 lbs.; bend, squat, kneel, pivot, and grasp with both hands to implement approved supports (e.g., CPR/First Aid, behavior support strategies, and safe lifting/carrying techniques).

2. Assist with transfers and lifting using appropriate techniques and equipment, including assistive devices such as a Hoyer Lift as needed.

3. Support ambulation by providing physical assistance, including the use of gait belts or other equipment when necessary.

4. Stand and walk for extended periods.

5. Push, pull, and maneuver adults in wheelchairs.

6. Communicate effectively in English (verbal and written) to support quality service delivery and complete required documentation.

At Abilities First, we recognize that talent and potential come in many forms. If this position inspires you but your experience does not align with every preferred qualification, we still encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this role—or another opportunity within our organization