The Community Development Counselor will provide direct-care and person-centered instruction in community settings to enhance clients' daily living, social, and community skills, including assisting in planning daily activities and counseling clients on resolving social problems. Responsibilities also involve meticulous record-keeping, monitoring client progress, ensuring regulatory compliance, and transporting individuals to various activities.
Requirements summary
Candidates must possess a valid driver's license with a maximum of 3 points and have access to an insured vehicle for work purposes. A High School Diploma or equivalent is required, along with a minimum of two years of experience working with adults diagnosed with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, including those with co-occurring mental illnesses.
high schoolTeamworkInterpersonal SkillsCommunicationCustomer ServiceMulti-taskingDocumentationEthical ConductDaily Living SkillsDirect CareConflict ResolutionProfessional DevelopmentSocial SkillsBehavior MonitoringPerson-Centered InstructionCommunity Skills
Job description
Community Development Counselor
Passionate Community Development Counselor Needed!
Are you ready to make a real difference in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with co-occurring disorders? Join our team at Rock Creek where passion drives everything we do!
About Us
At Rock Creek, we believe in empowering individuals to live fulfilling and independent lives. We provide comprehensive support services to individuals with intellectual, developmental disabilities and co-occurring disorders, fostering their growth, independence, and happiness. At Rock Creek, we're not just a team – we're a family driven by love, compassion, and the unwavering belief that everyone deserves to live a life filled with purpose and joy.
Your Mission
As a Community Development Counselor (DSP) at Rock Creek you'll be at the heart of our mission. You'll have the opportunity to positively impact the lives of our consumers every single day. From exploring our local community, to working on volunteer or employment activities, you will help in improving our consumers' daily life skills. You will also be responsible for providing direct-care and person-centered instruction in a community-based setting in order to develop, enhance and maintain daily living, social, and
community skills.
Why Join Us
Make a
Difference: Experience the joy of knowing that your work directly improves the lives of others.
Rewarding
Work: Be part of a supportive team environment where your contributions are valued and recognized.
Personal
Growth: Receive ongoing training and professional development opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career.
Work-Life
Balance: Enjoy flexible scheduling options that allow you to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Passionate
Community: Join a passionate community of like-minded individuals who are dedicated to making a positive impact in the world.
What You'll Do
Assists in planning daily meaningful day activities
Counsels' clients in identifying and resolving social or other problems
Compiles records of daily activities of client
Benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Paid Time Off
Tuition Reimbursement
Flexible Spending Accounts
Retirement Plan
Disability Coverage
Health Coverage
Life And AD&D Insurance
Writes and submits incident reports as needed
Monitors and maintains client records
Supervises group-sponsored trips and social functions
Escorts individuals on trips outside establishment for recreational activities
Transports individual in personal vehicle
Ensures compliance with COMAR, MHP and company regulations
Implement Individualized Plan goals and outcomes
Updates client goals, contact notes accurately and in a timely manner; completing all required documentation to maintain accuracy of client records
Accompanies or transports consumers in the assigned program to and from day program and to all activities including work; modifies day program activities to accommodate consumer’s needs; and monitors consumer’s progress toward goals
Depending on assignment, monitors, corrects, and instructs consumer’s behavior, de-escalates anger and frustration, assists consumer in conflict resolution from harming self or others; keeps consumer attention focused on activities or work duties
Maintains daily communication with house staff, usually through written progress reports; and meeting with staff one time per week; maintains consumer’s chart
Models' appropriate behavior for consumer; demonstrates and discusses behavior, reactions, and feelings to assist consumer in proper work and/or social behavior
Depending on assignment may supervise consumer at a job site on Rock Creek contracts or outside premises; instructs and encourages consumer
Assists consumer in planning and adapting materials and activities to enhance their day; ensures consumer’s safety and to ensure least restrictive environment and maximum participation
Participates in department staff meetings; provides information regarding consumer
Attends mandatory meetings
Check work email at the beginning and end of each shift
Participates in and successfully completes all required trainings
What We Require
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Must possess a valid driver’s license with no more than 3 points and have access to a vehicle for work purposes.
Must have proof of car insurance.
High School Diploma (or equivalent) and a minimum of two (2) years’ experience working with adults diagnosed with varying intellectual disabilities and or developmental disabilities.
Must be able to work individually as well as within a team. Must be able to multi-task.
Must be able to work with “high-risk” consumers who have mental illnesses as well as development or intellectual disabilities as well as physical.
We expect all staff to have a strong desire to provide excellent customer service.
We expect all staff to have a strong desire to provide excellent customer service; to comply with the rules and regulations of those organizations to which we are accountable; to have high ethical and professional standards of conduct; and to have an attitude of wanting to continuously improve their own professional performance.
Must be able to effectively and professionally communicate with other staff and individuals served.
Qualifications
Compassionate and caring nature
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Experience working with individuals with disabilities (preferred).
Ability to pass background checks and FBI fingerprinting.
What We Offer
At The Rock Creek Foundation, you’re not just an employee — you’re a valued change agent. Here’s what you can expect:
Schedule: M-F, 8:00AM to 4:00PM
Hourly Rate Range: $20.00 - $20.75
Robust Retirement Plan – 403(b) with company match to support your future.
Health Coverage That Cares – Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Time to Recharge – Generous paid time off.
Celebrate You – Enjoy your birthday off every year!
Training & Growth – Ongoing development programs and career advancement opportunities.
Culture of Purpose – A welcoming, inclusive environment where you belong.
Tuition Reimbursement – Invest in your education, and we’ll support you.
Employee Assistance Program – Confidential support for life's challenges.
Wellness Perks – Annual wellness initiatives and access to the Calm App.
Recognition & Rewards – Through our Awardco platform and referral program.
Exclusive Discounts – Enjoy deals through FunEx and more.
Comprehensive Insurance–
Life and AD&D insurance provided at no cost
Short- and long-term disability coverage
Optional legal assistance and transferable life insurance
Pet insurance for your furry family
Ancillary plans like critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity
Financial Flexibility – Flexible spending accounts (FSA) to help with healthcare and dependent care expenses.
Disclaimers
Rock Creek Foundation aspires to create an organization that places value on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and inclusivity. To achieve this success, it is essential that all members of our organization feel secure, welcomed, and respected. All members of our organization have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Rock Creek Foundation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. Rock Creek Foundation participates in E-Verify. http://www1.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf [http://www1.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf]
