At Upbring, we are servants on a mission to break the cycle of child abuse. We are warriors, brave as the thousands of Texas Children and families we serve. We stand up for those who can’t speak for themselves. We are a family who values innovation, empathy, patience, understanding and trustworthiness.
About our Children's Shelters
Many children begin life in the face of serious challenges. Instead of playing pretend and imagining grand adventures, unaccompanied children face perilous conditions alone as they travel to unfamiliar countries, leaving home and loved ones behind to escape war and violence. Our children’s centers, operated through a grant from the Office of Refugee and Resettlement (ORR), provide safety, stability and wraparound services. We help children grow into adults who have received love and kindness, instead of only violence and chaos.
What You'll Do As A Shelter Unit Manager
The Shelter Manager has oversight of the direct care staff and ensures they maintain a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment that meets the individualized care and personal development needs of the Unaccompanied Children (UC) in accordance with Agency standards, state licensing standards, and other federal, state, CARF and local regulatory requirements.
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.
All Upbring Children's Shelters employees must comply with ORR's vaccination mandate.
All staff must be able to show proof of immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases transmitted by the respiratory route if working directly with unaccompanied children (UC).
Responsibilities
We Are Warriors | We Set the Standards for Child Welfare
Work Standards for a Shelter Unit Manager
Provide support and supervision of staff as it relates to therapeutic community group sessions, crisis intervention, problem solving, group meetings and activities for the UCs’ daily living
Monitor and support staff to ensure all assigned duties are being performed throughout the shift
Ensure all precautions, restrictions and safety guidelines and interventions are properly implemented and managed during all shifts
Design, develop, coordinate, and schedule daily group sessions; oversee the facilitation
Ensure safety, security, and sanitation standards are maintained in all living and recreation areas
Lead the planning and coordination of random search of UC living space following Licensing standards
Complete required training hours per licensing standards
Attain SAMA/CPR First Aid instructor certification within the first 90 days
Other duties as assigned
Communication
Review and discuss staffing updates, UCs updates with staff at the beginning of every shift
Review and verify all documentation requirements are completed by staff in a timely manner and meet programmatic requirements
Maintain awareness of UC behavior and utilize the proper intervention and appropriate consequence in accordance with Agency policy and the UC’s’ individual treatment and behavior support plans; accurately document the behavior and intervention using the designated forms
We Are Servants | We Help Others
Teamwork
Respond to crisis situations timely and assist with de-escalation of children when needed
Work closely with the Program Director to create and manage work schedules to meet staffing and ratio needs for each shift
Provide support and intervention in crisis situations
Work closely with the department Team Leads to ensure the individualized treatment and personal development plans are properly implemented, followed, and managed as it relates to staff interaction with the UCs, setting behavior limits and individual and group activities
Work closely with the Program Director to develop new UC orientation and onboarding plans; assist with the new UC orientation
Lead the team in continuous quality improvement methods and efforts, including acting as an agent to execute positive and proactive change, when deemed appropriate
Prepare and attend supervision, unit, team, and facility meetings as required
Provide back-up services and assistance to other units/programs when needed
Work closely with management, the program, and clinical staff to ensure program operations, goals and objectives are being met and the UCs are receiving the highest quality of services and support
Accompany the shelter in the evacuation of children due to natural disasters or incidents that hinder the shelter from operating
Serve as a member of the “administrator on-call” (AOC) team
We Are Family | We Are Passionate & Compassionate
Building Relationships
Develop and maintain positive working relationships with the program and clinical management team, staff, children, and volunteers to meet the needs of the UCs and ensure the program goals and objectives are being met
Work as a 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. Always work within the Agency’s Code of Ethics and establish working relationships within the ethical boundaries established
Actively participate in exhibiting cultural awareness and sensitivity when interacting with children, parent(s)/guardian(s), staff, and the community
Developing & Engaging Others
Onboard and train new staff according to established training plan/program; orient new staff to the facility
Work closely with the Program Director to develop new hire training; conduct new hiring when needed
Coach and support staff to ensure they have the necessary tools and resources needed to optimize performance, ensure established program goals, and achieve operational excellence.
Communicate with direct reports in periodic one-on-one meetings
Organize and deliver regularly scheduled staff meetings to communicate present, on-going, and future updates of pertinent information, projects, and initiatives
Work closely with management team to interview, hire, and onboard new employees who are strong cultural fits for Upbring
Work in collaboration with leadership and the Organizational Development and Culture Team to arrange training; when needed, coordinate and/or provide in-service training for staff development
Regularly review employee performance, including goals and progress, to provide developmental feedback: use applicable agency development tools to facilitate growth and development in staff
Draft and issue the 90-day and annual evaluations, along with supporting documentation, as per established procedures; work in collaboration with staff to set goals during evaluation periods
Maintain an appropriate staffing level to ensure the needs of the persons served residents, ratio standards, and program goals are being met. work closely with management team to create and maintain work schedules to meet staffing and ratio needs for each shift
Qualifications
Shelter Unit Manager Minimum Requirements
Associates degree in Social Work, Social Services, Human Services, or closely related field; additional years of experience will be accepted in lieu of education requirement
2 years’ experience working in a similar environment
1-year experience in a supervisory role inclusive of hiring, mentoring, and evaluating others
Bilingual in Spanish, based on population served and service area
Shelter Unit Manager Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Ability to use good judgment and think and react rationally and calmly in difficult and stressful situations
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with a diverse staff and UC population
Ability to provide conflict resolution and de-escalation methods and techniques to ensure the well-being and safety of UCs
Strong verbal communication skills
Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines and complete tasks in a timely manner
Demonstrated ability to write legibly and in a concise and understandable manner
Ability to work both in a team environment and independently
Proficient with basic computer skills, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
Shelter Unit Manager Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Social Services, Counseling, Psychology, Human Services, or closely related field
3 years’ experience in residential care facility or similar setting
Advanced knowledge of behavior modification and therapeutic settings
Perks at Upbring
Competitive PTO & paid holidays
Health, dental, vision insurance & more!
403(b) Plan
Employee Assistance Program
24/7 access to telemedicine and counseling services
Discounted Gym Memberships
Donated Leave Program
Physical Demands & Work Conditions
This position requires walking frequently and sitting and standing for prolonged periods of time.
Position works in a child facility and has constant exposure to children
Lift, push, pull, move up to 50 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.
Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Belonging
We are a diverse and inclusive organization that recognizes our strength is in the efforts of our selfless warriors. Honoring and recognizing the value and dignity of all individuals is the cornerstone of our agency. The more diverse the individuals, thought processes and lived experiences, the greater the opportunity is to combine unique perspectives to make a greater impact. Our trust, respect, and appreciation for one another is demonstrated through our communication, celebration of progress and relentless effort to be at our best to fulfill our mission to break the cycle of child abuse.
Upbring is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status.
