Resident Support Specialist

At Caritas we believe every life deserves LOVE! If you agree, then please consider joining our team!! Caritas Family Solutions is seeking a compassionate Resident Support Specialist to serve at our Youth Emergency Shelter in Belleville.  Our current open shift is from 2PM to 10PM.  This position is perfect for emotionally mature professionals capable of providing comfort and direction for traumatized youth. As an RSS, you’ll have an AMAZING support team behind you, and be able to end every workday knowing you made a positive impact in the life of a child!  If you’re ready to make a difference, please apply today!!!

At Caritas, we know we’re competing with other employers for your services, and we want to win! It is our goal to offer competitive compensation and affordable benefits to all eligible employees. Caritas currently offers the following benefits to full-time 

employees:

· 403 B Retirement Plan (5% Employer Match)

· Generous Paid Time Off

· Health, Dental and Vision Insurance Coverage 

· 12 Employer Paid State & Federal Holidays

· Telehealth Services

· Employer Paid Life Insurance

· Health Saving Account

· Employer Paid Short- & Long-Term Disability

· Tuition Assistance Program

· Real Work/Life Balance

Summary: The Resident Support Specialist reports to the Program Supervisor. The Resident Support Specialist provides direct care and educational opportunities while interacting with clients to ensure healthy relationships, positive skills, and provide a supportive living environment. The Residential Support Specialist is also responsible for some administrative work, and DCFS case management notes with data entry.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

•  Assists in providing trauma-informed, evidence based, and therapeutic services to youth enrolled within transitional residential programs 
•  Focus on client needs; anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of clients to meet or exceed their expectations
•  Protect residents to ensure physical and emotional safety, to include mandated reporting of any observed or suspected incidents of child abuse or neglect
•  Assist program participants so that they are properly clothed and outfitted, engaging in good hygiene practices, and living in a clean, orderly, and safe environment that promotes calm and good health
•  Attend and actively participate in staff meetings and job-related training
•  Must be able to successfully complete Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) Training
•  Ensure the day-to-day activities of the program are being followed in accordance with the scheduled events, the program rules and the daily staff check list
•  Ensure that program schedules and expectations are being always followed
•  Report unusual behavior, unplanned visitors, potential conflicts, and conflicts to the program supervisor
•  Assists in transportation of residents as needed
•  Attend all staff meetings and required training.
•  Complete all required documentation for daily activities and case notes

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

•  High School Diploma/GED, with additional training in child development, social services, nursing etc.
•  Residential experience preferred
•  Must be flexible to work holidays, evenings, awake overnights, and weekends
•  Must be 21 years of age and older

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, staff, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

COMPUTER SKILLS:

Strong computer proficiencies are essential; must possess a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs as well as accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll systems.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit. 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

•  Highly positive and enthusiastic style capable of motivating others
•  Skilled in de-escalation, conflict resolution and mediation
•  Excellent relationship management skills
•  Excellent written and verbal communication skills
•  Knowledgeable in providing childcare for infants to age five
•  Culturally competent and sensitive to the issues facing low-income, homeless, and pregnant women
•  Valid Driver’s License, auto insurance and current DMV record

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position is based primarily in an office environment and the noise level is usually moderate.

Please Be Advised: 

Research tells us that some candidates, especially women and people of color, may hesitate to apply unless they meet every listed qualification. If this sounds like you, we still encourage you to apply! We’re committed to building a team with diverse skills, experiences, and perspectives—and you might be exactly who we’re looking for. 

Drug Free Workplace:

Caritas Family Solutions is dedicated to maintaining a safe, healthy, and productive environment for our clients and employees. As part of this, a strict drug-free workplace policy is maintained.