Residential Operations Specialist

Progressive Life Center, Inc. (PLC) is an organization, providing culturally-sensitivity human services to children, youth and families in the District of Columbia and surrounding Maryland, throughout Greater Philadelphia, and in most of Delaware. PLC’s array of community-based services includes foster care and adoption, independent living for youth aging out of foster care, family preservation, juvenile diversion, and parenting skills training. For more than two decades, PLC has earned accreditation from the prestigious Council on Accreditation (COA) for its demonstration of excellence in the delivery of services and achievement of outcomes. Learn more at plcCommunity.org.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Semi-Independent Living program ensures youth in Prince George’s County, MD make a successful transition from foster care or juvenile justice. PLC runs a scattered site, semi-independent living program for young adults, 18-21 years old, who have been referred and assessed by the Maryland Department of Human Resources and Department of Social Services. 

The program provides a high level of support for youth and their families so that they gain the life skills needed to become independent, capable and productive citizens. Our program is housed in residential communities that are within close proximity to public transportation throughout the county. Residences consist of 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments. Supervision, monitoring and staff support are provided at all residence programs 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct daily safety checks between 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM on weekdays and 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM on weekends within the range of the scattered sites to ensure the youth’s well-being.
• Perform daily inspections of the apartment and provide emergency support services as needed.
• Offer transportation assistance, if required.
• Maintain regular communication with the Program Director, who will be on-call for support.
• Maintain safety inspection log.
• Report safety concerns to the Program Director.
• Document inspection violations and critical incidents within 24 to 48 hours of occurrence.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of a High School diploma or equivalent and four (4) years of demonstrated success working with abused, neglected, and/or at-risk youth and their families.
• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, criminal justice, or other related human services discipline from an accredited college or university preferred. 
• Ability to communicate effectively with street-wise and system savvy youths.
• Experience working with at-risk youth and their families.
• Research skills desirable.
• Effective oral and writing skills.
• Certified in CPR/First Aid.
• Knowledge of databases and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work a flex schedule to accommodate the life skills needs of youth.
• Valid driver’s license, access to a vehicle, and ability to travel within the Washington Metropolitan area.
• Certificate in NTU™ Service Delivery Model within one (1) year of hire.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
• Ability to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Ability to operate a computer and other office productivity machinery.
• Ability to position self to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Ability to frequently communicate with employees/customers/clients; and must be able to exchange accurate information by perceiving the nature of sound, near and far vision, depth perception, providing oral and written information.
• Ability to frequently move files weighing up to 20 pounds throughout the office space.
• Ability to be on call and often respond to situations during off hours which can disrupt normal sleep patterns and cause fatigue.
• Ability to physically restrain children when required and protect him/her in physically confrontational situations.
• Ability to face a significant amount of emotional stress which can cause related physical stress.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Normal office environment or residential facility but also may travel locally to visit clients within their homes, meet with service providers, and/or attend meetings: schools, hospitals, mental health clinics, private practices, prisons, corporations, and numerous public and private agencies.

Equal Opportunity Employer

PLC is an equal opportunity employer.  PLC does not discriminate in employment on account of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, political affiliation, military status, or other non-merit-based factors.