Residential Support Specialist

Overview

Starting at $15.00/hour with a $600.00 Sign On Bonus for New Employees (paid out in three installments)

Are you passionate about bringing people together to create lasting change? Skilled at building partnerships and engaging the community? Ready to be a driving force for child and family wellbeing? 

At Upbring, our team is united by a shared mission: to break the cycle of child abuse and advance the wellbeing of children, families and communities, empowering them to thrive. As servant-leaders, we lead by example, working passionately to create a brighter future for those we serve.  Every day, we strive to embody our core values:

• We are Warriors: Fierce, resilient, and courageous, we face challenges head-on with unwavering loyalty and passion.
• We are Servants: We dedicate ourselves to serving others, empowering those around us to thrive.
• We are Family: We work together as a supportive, caring community, creating a sense of belonging and strength.

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.                

What You'll Do as a Residential Support Specialist

The Residential Support Specialist provides supervision, guidance, and support to youth in maintaining a structured, therapeutic environment that ensures the safety and well-being of youth. This role involves modeling positive behaviors, reinforcing social and life skills, and assisting in the implementation of individualized care plans. By fostering a supportive atmosphere, promoting professional development, and adhering to agency standards and regulatory requirements, the Residential Support Specialist helps staff create a nurturing space that encourages youth growth and success. 

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 
• Maintain awareness of resident behavior, set appropriate behavioral limits, and proactively intervene 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 
• Supervise and support youth in daily activities by modeling and reinforcing positive behavior, promoting social interaction, and ensuring a safe and inclusive environment.
• Lead 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 
• 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 

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

Residential Support Specialist 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 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

Travel

• This position may be required to travel up to 40%

Perks at Upbring 

• 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 
• Position requires frequent standing, walking and time in units/cottages which are areas where children reside 
• Lift, push, pull, 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.

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, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.