General Purpose:

• Responsible for implementing the facility’s structured direct care for children programs and for providing an environment of consistent structure, guidance and nurturance in the shelter.

Essential Functions:

• Participate as a member of the Interdisciplinary Team to meet the physical, emotional, and social needs of the children, as outlined in each child’s plan of service
• Have a working knowledge of Trauma Informed Care, Normalcy, Compassion Fatigue & Self-Care
• Help provide an environment that is growth producing and which stimulates self-confidence, trust and felt safety
• Remain attentive to the physical, emotional, and academic growth of the children under their supervision
• Utilize a trauma informed approach to improve children’s self-worth, learn effective problem solving and daily living skills, as well as self-regulation
• Facilitate an environment that encourages children to practice resolving problems and living in a community environment
• Provide opportunities to set individual and group goals
• Facilitate discussions that encourage children to take part in group activities
• Provide continual recognition of children’s strengths and gradual successes

• Maintain an awareness of the needs of children and is attentive to creative changes in program
• Communicate information through various means to the other Direct Care Specialists regarding issues that may impact their shifts while working with the children
• Work collaboratively with Case Managers and Program staff
• Provide transportation to children as needed.

• Monitor and coordinate children’s activities, behaviors and safety
• Administer prescription & non-prescription medication
• Emphasize safety of the children through supervision and awareness
• Supervise and participate in daily activities with children
• Maintain home-like environment, including living quarters, grounds and backyard area to ensure a clean, safe and orderly environment
• Report needed repairs to Operations Manager or appropriate staff
• Participate in training, staff meetings and supervisory conferences to develop and enhance childcare & trauma-informed skills
• Maintain client records, daily report sheets and serious incident reports as necessary
• Emphasize safety to keep injuries to a minimum
• Perform other assignments and duties as requested

Qualifications/Basic Job Requirements:

• High School Degree or equivalent is required; some college or college degree is preferred
• Age 21 or older to meet the needs for the vehicle insurance
• Minimum of one year of experience working with children in a therapeutic/residential setting or related experience
• Valid Texas driver’s license with insurance and provide DPS proof of driving record acceptable to agency insurers for the past three (3) years
• Must submit to pre-employment drug screen as well as random drug screens when directed
• Provide a required TB test, within last 60 days, showing employee is free of contagious TB
• Submit to a criminal background check, FBI background check, and Texas HHS background check as required by regulatory agencies
• Possess knowledge of issues related to child development, trauma, youth homelessness, abuse and neglect with at-risk children
• Effective communication skills, both oral and written; Effective organizational skills; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the community, as well as volunteers
• Ability to perform duties with minimal supervision
• CPR, First Aid and Emergency Behavior Intervention certification must be current, or obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained as required by regulatory standards
• Sufficient good health to properly perform duties
• Employees that have infectious disease or skin lesions, will not be permitted to work for the duration of the communicability

General Agency Requirements:

• Immediately report any suspected abuse/neglect of a child
• Maintain Licensing credentials as required and attend agency training as needed
• Set high standard of professional, technical, personal conduct and competence for team
• Emphasize safety to keep employee injury to a minimum

• Minimum physical requirements
• Ability to use up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently and/or up to 10 pounds of force continuously to move objects and/or people
• Good depth perception
• Ability to bend, stoop, twist, turn, reach, lift, carry, pull, climb and kneel with approximately 50% of time spent walking or standing
• Ability to recognize differences in sound, such as voices/noises that are loud and playful instead of angry and combative; in addition to differentiating tone and volumes in conversation
• Knowledge and use of Universal Precautions

• All positions are funded through state and federal grants and are subject to termination if funding ceases.