While maintaining a safe, supportive therapeutic environment, the Residential Support Specialist I-II is responsible for supervising, teaching social and life skills, meeting the individualized care plan and personal development needs of youth in accordance with Agency standards, state licensing standards, federal, state, and local regulatory requirements. The Residential Support Specialist I-II will follow a designated routine as assigned. Upbring is classified as an essential business by the Federal government because the services we provide are critical to the wellbeing of thousands of children and families. Our Upbring staff members are servant-leaders in the pursuit of breaking the cycle of child abuse and empowering others to do the same through example while embodying our core values: We are Warriors. We are Servants. We are Family.
Responsibilities
We Are Warriors | We Set the Standards for Child Welfare
Work Standards
Provide direct supervision, interaction, and observation of all youth while in their living space or common areas; always know the whereabouts of all youth during the shift
Interact, observe, and supervise youth in accordance with their individualized treatment and behavior support plans
Ensure that all living spaces are clean, organized and maintain the youth’s living space to provide a safe, hygienic, and therapeutic environment
Ensure safety, security and sanitation standards are always maintained in all work areas
Prepare and attend supervision, unit, team, and facility meetings as required
Strong time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines and complete tasks in a timely manner
Work within the Agency’s Code of Ethics and establish working relationships within the ethical boundaries established
Complete required training hours per licensing standards and program requirement
Other duties and special projects as assigned
Communication
Communicate with youth and team members in a strength-based manner
Enter all assigned duties in a strength -based, concise and understandable manner, such as behavior sheets, observation notes, communication logs, shift reports personal restraint records, incident reports, etc. in the computer before the end of shift
Ensure all necessary entering of youth information is entered into the computer for the unit is fully completed prior to the end of the shift
Report and properly enter all incidents in a timely manner
We Are Servants| We Help Others
Adaptability
Set appropriate behavioral limits with youth in accordance with Agency policy and individualized treatment and behavior support plans
Work in a manner that seeks to prevent crisis situations; proactively intervene to manage or de-escalate crisis situations; apply verbal redirection when deemed appropriate
Maintain awareness of resident behavior and utilize the proper intervention and appropriate consequence in accordance with Agency policy and the resident’s individual treatment and behavior support plans; accurately enter the behavior and intervention
Assist the Residential Support Specialist III with conducting searches for contraband in youth living space as needed
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with a diverse staff, youth population, including youth’s families and systems of support
Ability to use good judgment, think and react rationally and calmly in difficult and stressful situations
Teamwork
Teach and Provide youth with a full range of basic living skills, including, but not limited to bathing, feeding, cleaning, shopping, and laundry
Provide back-up services and assistance to other units/programs when needed
May be required to complete driving duties as driver and/or accompanying during transport. Subject to being designated as an authorized driver
Develop and maintain a positive working relationship with the program and clinical management team and staff, youth, and volunteers to meet the needs of the youth and ensure the program goals and objectives are being met
Work closely with management, the program, and clinical staff to ensure program operations, goals and objectives are being met and the youth are receiving the highest quality of services and support
We Are Family | We Are Passionate & Compassionate
Building Relationships
Converse with youth to reinforce positive behavior and promote social interaction and community inclusion
Assist with the new resident orientation
Work as team player, exhibit professionalism (commitment, confidence, responsibility, dependability, honesty, ethics, appearance), and a positive attitude with both internal and external clients that reflects positively on the Agency and is consistent with Agency policies and practices
Accompany youth professionally, participate, and manage resident behavior in group therapy sessions as needed
Accompany and/or transport youth professionally to appointments, outings and activities using established safety protocol
Teach, supervise, and assist youth in achieving daily goals including laundry, mopping, sweeping, organizing, caring for grounds, and facilities
Work as team player and exhibit professional behavior and a positive attitude with both internal and external clients that reflects positively on the Agency and is consistent with Agency policies and practices
Actively participate in exhibiting cultural awareness and sensitivity when interacting with youth, parent(s)/guardian(s), staff, and the community
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
High School Diploma or GED equivalent
Prior experience working with people, preferably in a residential care facility in direct care, eldercare, group home, or working with individuals with mental health and/or behavioral health related issues
Strong communication skills, with demonstrated ability to enter information into a computer in a concise and understandable manner
Strong time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines and complete tasks in a timely manner
Ability to work both in a team environment and independently
Ability to use good judgment, think and react rationally and calmly in difficult and stressful situations
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with a diverse staff and resident population
Ability to work extra shifts on business need
Must be 21 years of age or older per licensing requirements
Must have valid TX driver license and auto insurance to be designated as an authorized driver
Familiarity with basic computer skills, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
Preferred Qualifications
6 months experience (3 months if a current/former Upbring RTC employee), in a residential care facility in direct care, eldercare, group home, or working with individuals with mental health and/or behavioral health related issues
Trauma Informed Care training and understand of effects on trauma on development
Knowledge of behavior modification and therapeutic settings
Ability to provide conflict resolution and de-escalation methods and techniques to ensure the well-being and safety of youth
Physical Demands & Work Conditions
This position requires sitting and looking and using a computer for long periods.
Position may work in a child facility and have limited exposure to children.
Lift, push, pull or move up to 125 lbs.
The physical requirements for this position with or without reasonable accommodation are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. While performing this position the employee with or without reasonable accommodation should have the ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, speak, and hear with aid, see, read, reach with arms and hands, lift and/or move up to specified weight, and use equipment that is essential to performing the job, such as a computer, copier, fax machine, telephone, and automobile, if applicable. Specific vision requirements of this position may include color vision, seeing things close up, and the ability to adjust focus.
Agreement
The statements herein indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by an employee in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job. Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of the job and may request the employee to perform other duties and responsibilities not listed at his/her discretion. This job description is not a contract between the employee occupying the position and the employer. Upbring is an at-will employer. Equal Employment Opportunity/M/F/disability/protected veteran status. If the day-to-day work I perform differs significantly from the above outlined essential duties, it is my obligation to inform my supervisor and/or Organizational Development.
