Area Office Support Worker - State of Massachusetts : Job Details

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) for the Brockton area is searching for an Area Office Support Worker (Direct Care Worker IV) who is a compassionate, enthusiastic, professional, eager to assist intellectual and or physically disabled individuals determine their eligibility for state and federal benefits and explore support services for housing, financial assistance, Social Security, Medicaid and vocational training.Duties and Responsibilities: (The duties and responsibilities stated are general summary and not all-inclusive.)* Monitor a designated caseload of individuals seeking benefits, and services through the Department of Developmental Services.* Follow and ensure continued eligibility for existing and planned services are in place, and up to date.* Consult and Coordinate with the Human Service Coordinators (HSC) referring individuals to the HSC to coordinate services.* Assist the individual's and or their families' complete applications for services; and coordinate necessary documentation.* Verify income, schedule required medical/psychological examinations, provide support and if necessary, provide transportation to appointments.* Participate in consumer, clinical and or programmatic team meetings.* Assist in the coordination of services for respite care, crisis intervention, vacation planning, and nursing home referral or home health aides.* Ensure individual's eligibility and provide personal independent living budget and financial management assistance.Preferred Qualifications:* Flexibility with work schedule* Experience with behavior management* Proficiency in any of the following: Cape Verdean Creole, Haitian Creole or Spanish* Strong computer skillsAgency Requirements:* Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age* Must possess current and valid Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's LicenseSchedule Information:Full-time - 40 hours weekly position.Schedule Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PMDays off - Saturday and SundayAbout the Department of Developmental Services:The mission of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is to create innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder to participate fully and contribute meaningfully to their communities as valued members. DDS serves over 43,000 vulnerable individuals throughout their lifetimes, providing a spectrum of day, employment, and residential supports. The agency directly oversees and manages $3 billion in public funds ($2.7B operating budget) and approximately 5,500 staff, the largest state employee workforce of any agency in the Massachusetts executive branch of government.For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/ddsPre-Hire Process:Recommended candidates must successfully complete pre-employment screening which includes:* Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) Abuse Registry Search: Criminal background check (CORI) by regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. National Background Checks, Chapter 234 of the Acts of 2014, conduct fingerprint-based check.* part of the hiring process, the Office of Human Resources will be verifying any college-level degrees conferred to the selected candidate. Additionally, any licensure required for the position will be verified. Information provided as part of the hiring process is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request FormFor help logging into/resetting your MassCareers profile, call the Employment Service Center at 617-###-#### for assistance.For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- ###-#### Ext. #4.ALL EMPLOYEES ARE PAID ON A BI-WEEKLY BASIS AND MUST HAVE DIRECT DEPOSIT.First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.Minimum Entrance Requirements:Applicants must have (A) at least three (3) years of full-time or equivalent part-time, experience in providing direct support services to persons with developmental/ intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities, of which (B) at least one (1) year must have been in a supervisory or leadership capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.Substitutions:I. An Associate's degree or higher with a major in a human services field, including sociology, special education, psychology, rehabilitation counseling, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or other related field may be substituted for a maximum one (1) year of the required (A) experience.Incumbents are required to possess a current and valid motor vehicle driver's license at a class level specific to assignment.SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: None.Incumbents are required to possess a current and valid motor vehicle driver's license at a class level specific to assignment.An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.Comprehensive BenefitsWhen you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!Title 101 CMR 23.00 ( Regulation ) requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.