Residential Support Specialist

About the role

Joining Upbring means becoming part of a family of passionate individuals who are fearless in their pursuit of lasting change. Together, we are making a difference, one life at a time.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, interact with, and observe youth in living and common areas, ensuring their safety, awareness of their location, and adherence to individualized treatment and behavior support plans
• Maintain a clean, organized, and hygienic living environment while upholding safety, security, and sanitation standards
• Monitor and accurately follow their posted schedule for shifts while demonstrating strong time management skills
• Attend and participate in required meetings, supervision sessions, and training to meet licensing and program requirements
• Demonstrate strong time management skills, adhere to ethical guidelines, and establish professional working relationships within agency standards
• Collaborate with management, clinical staff, and volunteers to ensure program goals are met, maintain positive relationships, and provide high-quality services, including transportation duties when required, while exhibiting professionalism, teamwork, and cultural awareness
• Communicating with youth and team members in a strength-based manner, exhibiting professionalism, teamwork, and cultural awareness while ensuring all interactions and documentation are clear, concise, and supportive
• Accurately entering all required youth information, reports, and incidents into the system before the end of each shift
• Maintaining awareness of resident behavior, setting appropriate behavioral limits, and proactively intervening to prevent or de-escalate crises using verbal redirection and agency-approved interventions based on individualized treatment plans, while demonstrating strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and accurate documentation in high-stress situations
• Supervising and supporting youth in daily activities by modeling and reinforcing positive behavior, promoting social interaction, and ensuring a safe and inclusive environment
• Leading by example in teaching essential life skills such as hygiene, meal preparation, cleaning, shopping, and laundry while guiding goal achievement, participation in therapy sessions, and orientation; exhibit professionalism, teamwork, and cultural awareness while providing backup support to other dorms as needed
• Collaborating with management, clinical staff, and volunteers to ensure program goals are met, maintain positive relationships, and provide high-quality services, including transportation duties when required, while exhibiting professionalism, teamwork, and cultural awareness

Qualifications

• Residential Support Specialist - Minimum Qualifications: Must be 21 years of age or older per licensing requirements, High School Diploma or GED equivalent, Prior experience working with people, Familiarity with basic computer skills, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, 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
• Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Social Services, Human Services, or closely related field, One (1) year employment experience in the child welfare field working with children and/or adolescents, Trauma Informed Care training and understanding of effects 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

Perks

• Competitive PTO & paid holidays
• Health, dental, vision insurance & more
• 403(b) Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Discounted Gym Memberships

Physical Demands & Work Conditions

• This position requires sitting and looking and using a computer for long periods of time
• Position works in a child facility and has constant exposure to children
• Requires frequent standing, walking and time in units/cottages which are areas where children reside
• Lift, push, pull, move up to 125 lbs