Shift Lead OPWDD - Housing Services

Posted Wednesday, July 15, 2026 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.

The primary role of the Lead DSP, on their assigned shift, is to guide and lead the DSPs as they work alongside the people we support to help them achieve their personal outcomes. This includes working with people supported to develop daily living, professional, social, and informed decision-making skills while also supporting their health and safety.

• Works with the people we support to help them identify and realize their personal life goals.
• Advocates with the people we support in a variety of situations.
• Works with the people we support to teach them new life skills.
• Works in partnership with the people we support to promote their health and safety.
• Assists the people we support to overcome barriers and challenges to establishing and maintaining a network of relationships and valued social roles.
• Works with the people we support and other members of the interdisciplinary team to develop service plans that aid the person in achieving their personal life goals.
• Provides positive behavior support to the people we support as necessary.
• Prevents, recognizes and reports abuse toward the people we support.
• Accurately documents service provision, daily notes and other information as required.
• Promotes and supports community involvement for the people we support.
• Transports clients in a company vehicle to locations outside the home, such as to physicians' offices or on outings.
• Performs healthcare-related tasks, such as medication administration, when needed.
• Performs and assigns directives and essential daily tasks as instructed by the Manager; ensures completion of all assigned tasks
• Communicates with the Manager regarding any crisis situations or events occurring at the day program/residence and follows through with any directives given.
• While on shift, leads a team of Direct Support Professionals by overseeing task completion and providing guidance as needed to ensure individuals receive quality services.
• Provides support and training to all Direct Support Professionals to ensure a proper orientation of employees to the work environment.
• Ensures all services are provided as outlined in the individual’s service plan, and that all documentation is completed contemporaneously.
• Communicates with the people we support, family members, community representatives, and external providers in a professional, respectful manner.
• Ensures that the residence/day program, including the external property, is clean, safe and aesthetically pleasing at all times.
• Provides ongoing protective oversight to individuals living in the residence/attending day program.
• Reports all violations and/or accidents in agency vehicle in accordance with New York State regulations and agency policy.
• Follows OSHA regulations, and ensures all staff follow OSHA regulations, including universal precautions.
• Participates in life plan or interdisciplinary team meetings as requested or assigned
• Ensures that all required documentation (paper and electronic) is…