Posted Monday, October 20, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Enjoy making a difference? Join the team at FREE, enriching the lives of others, one individual at a time.
Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) benefits and proudly supports more than 4,000 individuals with intellectual / developmental disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain injury. It is the mission of FREE to support people of all abilities reach their full potential and thrive in their communities. FREE provides a diverse array of supports and services including: housing; recovery services; transition to work; employment; day, community and family services; respite; crisis services; education and after school support; specialty health services; and advocacy.
POSITION SUMMARY The primary role of the Housing Support Specialist is to ensure that the Operations Directors, Senior Supervisors and Supervisors are properly trained within the OPWDD residential division on all operating systems, so that they can ensure the needs of the men and women supported in their respective programs are met. This includes providing support to the Operations Directors, Senior Supervisors and Supervisors, beyond training, that are outlined below to ensure the highest quality of care is provided to those we support. These needs include, but are not limited to, ensuring their rights are both promoted and respected, supporting their health and safety and working with them to identify and realize their personal outcomes. The Housing Support Specialist is responsible for the overall management training within the residential facilitates, completing reviews and observations to ensure efficient and effective utilization of all resources and consistency with the policies and procedures of FREE.
DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Side by side training and guidance for all management personnel.
Developing and facilitating ongoing Management and OD training. This includes regulatory, agency practices and leadership training in partnership with HR.
Validate policies and procedures are being followed by all levels of management by conducting on‑site reviews as required by Housing Support Director.
Review requisite documentation, including service documentation, medical, financial etc., for all residences within scope, for accuracy, thoroughness and timely filing in a manner in accordance with New York State, Federal and Agency policy.
Completion of quarterly reviews of all systems, with enhanced focus on health and safety areas and other critical documentation. Provide a full report to the team to ensure any issues identified are rectified timely.
Completion of announced and unannounced observations during all shifts.
Assist in the completion of overnight spot checks (twice a year as requested).
Manage the public drive, folders, keeping training tools up to date.
Assist housing with reports to improve quality and create efficiencies (i.e. overtime, schedules, bank balances etc.).
Participate and lead (if requested) Project Management Meetings and program support as requested by Housing Support Director.
Support teams with survey preparation and provide on‑site support during DQI/OFPC surveys as needed.
Assist with external plans of corrective actions (POCA) and help teams with validation systems.
Assist with developing and training on quarterly external survey trends for housing.
Ensure follow through on all recommendations and plans of action (in specific vulnerable or high‑needs) programs resulting from external surveys in accordance with New York State regulations and Agency Policies, as requested.
Participate in committee meetings as requested.
Ensure that the rights, health, safety and personal outcomes of the people living in the residence are supported at all times.
Other duties as assigned.
Responsibilities of All FREE Employees
Always communicate in a respectful manner with all people including the people we support, supervisors, other valued team members, and members of the community.
Comply fully with FREE’s confidentiality policies by holding in strictest confidence all information pertaining to members, residents, the people we support and their families, clients, providers, contractors, and employees.
Meet all safety training requirements; adheres to all safety policies and reports any and all unsafe conditions; takes measures to prevent accidents and/or eliminate conditions that pose a safety or health risk.
Coordinate, support, attend and participate in all required events/ meetings/ reviews/ committees, including ones outside of standard working hours.
Meet all job requirements and stay in compliance.
Adhere to FREE’s standard of ethical behavior as outlined in the Employee Handbook and Code of Conduct as well as applicable laws and regulations.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
High School Degree required.
Experience:
Minimum of five years’ experience working with persons with developmental disabilities and/or mental illness.
Specialized Training, Licenses, Certifications:
Not required, training will be provided upon hire as needed.
Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Abilities:
Demonstrated competency in all state, local, federal regulations and agency policies relevant to the operation of all certified/uncertified agency locations.
Other Requirements:
Willingness to be flexible; including weekends and evening shifts.
Valid driver’s license and ability to qualify as a driver within FREE policy.
No convictions for crimes that preclude a person from working with members of a vulnerable population.
18 years of age or older.
WORK ENVIRONMENT This role is performed in-person. Travel required.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Employee is required to sit, walk and stand for prolonged period of time (at least 8 hours).
Employee is required to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.
Employee is required to operate standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, fax and filing cabinets.
Employee might be required to lift/move light items.
Employee is required be able to lift at least 50 pounds.
Employee is required to reach with hands and arms.
Employee is required to bend, lift, stoop, kneel, or crouch as needed.
Notwithstanding the above listed physical requirements of this position, FREE will provide reasonable accommodations to allow employees to perform the essential functions of the position, provided such reasonable accommodations do not cause undue hardship on FREE.
EEO STATEMENT FREE is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other protected characteristic. In addition to federal law requirements, FREE complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in all of its locations. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION Family Residences and Essential Enterprises’ affirmative action efforts related to protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are set out and described in our affirmative action plan for protected veterans and individuals with a disability. If you have any questions or would like to view the affirmative action plan, please visit our website www.familyres.org.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Enjoy making a difference? Join the team at FREE, enriching the lives of others, one individual at a time.
Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) benefits and proudly supports more than 4,000 individuals with intellectual / developmental disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain injury. It is the mission of FREE to support people of all abilities reach their full potential and thrive in their communities. FREE provides a diverse array of supports and services including: housing; recovery services; transition to work; employment; day, community and family services; respite; crisis services; education and after school support; specialty health services; and advocacy.
POSITION SUMMARY The primary role of the Housing Support Specialist is to ensure that the Operations Directors, Senior Supervisors and Supervisors are properly trained within the OPWDD residential division on all operating systems, so that they can ensure the needs of the men and women supported in their respective programs are met. This includes providing support to the Operations Directors, Senior Supervisors and Supervisors, beyond training, that are outlined below to ensure the highest quality of care is provided to those we support. These needs include, but are not limited to, ensuring their rights are both promoted and respected, supporting their health and safety and working with them to identify and realize their personal outcomes. The Housing Support Specialist is responsible for the overall management training within the residential facilitates, completing reviews and observations to ensure efficient and effective utilization of all resources and consistency with the policies and procedures of FREE.
DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Side by side training and guidance for all management personnel.
Developing and facilitating ongoing Management and OD training. This includes regulatory, agency practices and leadership training in partnership with HR.
Validate policies and procedures are being followed by all levels of management by conducting on‑site reviews as required by Housing Support Director.
Review requisite documentation, including service documentation, medical, financial etc., for all residences within scope, for accuracy, thoroughness and timely filing in a manner in accordance with New York State, Federal and Agency policy.
Completion of quarterly reviews of all systems, with enhanced focus on health and safety areas and other critical documentation. Provide a full report to the team to ensure any issues identified are rectified timely.
Completion of announced and unannounced observations during all shifts.
Assist in the completion of overnight spot checks (twice a year as requested).
Manage the public drive, folders, keeping training tools up to date.
Assist housing with reports to improve quality and create efficiencies (i.e. overtime, schedules, bank balances etc.).
Participate and lead (if requested) Project Management Meetings and program support as requested by Housing Support Director.
Support teams with survey preparation and provide on‑site support during DQI/OFPC surveys as needed.
Assist with external plans of corrective actions (POCA) and help teams with validation systems.
Assist with developing and training on quarterly external survey trends for housing.
Ensure follow through on all recommendations and plans of action (in specific vulnerable or high‑needs) programs resulting from external surveys in accordance with New York State regulations and Agency Policies, as requested.
Participate in committee meetings as requested.
Ensure that the rights, health, safety and personal outcomes of the people living in the residence are supported at all times.
Other duties as assigned.
Responsibilities of All FREE Employees
Always communicate in a respectful manner with all people including the people we support, supervisors, other valued team members, and members of the community.
Comply fully with FREE’s confidentiality policies by holding in strictest confidence all information pertaining to members, residents, the people we support and their families, clients, providers, contractors, and employees.
Meet all safety training requirements; adheres to all safety policies and reports any and all unsafe conditions; takes measures to prevent accidents and/or eliminate conditions that pose a safety or health risk.
Coordinate, support, attend and participate in all required events/ meetings/ reviews/ committees, including ones outside of standard working hours.
Meet all job requirements and stay in compliance.
Adhere to FREE’s standard of ethical behavior as outlined in the Employee Handbook and Code of Conduct as well as applicable laws and regulations.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
High School Degree required.
Experience:
Minimum of five years’ experience working with persons with developmental disabilities and/or mental illness.
Specialized Training, Licenses, Certifications:
Not required, training will be provided upon hire as needed.
Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Abilities:
Demonstrated competency in all state, local, federal regulations and agency policies relevant to the operation of all certified/uncertified agency locations.
Other Requirements:
Willingness to be flexible; including weekends and evening shifts.
Valid driver’s license and ability to qualify as a driver within FREE policy.
No convictions for crimes that preclude a person from working with members of a vulnerable population.
18 years of age or older.
WORK ENVIRONMENT This role is performed in-person. Travel required.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Employee is required to sit, walk and stand for prolonged period of time (at least 8 hours).
Employee is required to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.
Employee is required to operate standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, fax and filing cabinets.
Employee might be required to lift/move light items.
Employee is required be able to lift at least 50 pounds.
Employee is required to reach with hands and arms.
Employee is required to bend, lift, stoop, kneel, or crouch as needed.
Notwithstanding the above listed physical requirements of this position, FREE will provide reasonable accommodations to allow employees to perform the essential functions of the position, provided such reasonable accommodations do not cause undue hardship on FREE.
EEO STATEMENT FREE is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other protected characteristic. In addition to federal law requirements, FREE complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in all of its locations. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION Family Residences and Essential Enterprises’ affirmative action efforts related to protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are set out and described in our affirmative action plan for protected veterans and individuals with a disability. If you have any questions or would like to view the affirmative action plan, please visit our website www.familyres.org.
#J-18808-Ljbffr