Resident Support Specialist

Description

Welcome to your opportunity to change the world! If you have a servant’s heart and want to be part of something truly special, then Caritas Family Solutions needs you. We have been serving the people of Illinois since 1947 and have over 500 committed and mission-driven team members.  At Caritas, we do not hire people for jobs, we find new team members for rewarding and life-changing careers that make the world better. 

If you are kind, patient, and ready to make a difference, we would love to meet you!

Full-time employees are offered the competitive benefits outlined below:

• Generous Paid Time Off 
• Paid training
• Health Insurance 
• Dental and Vision
• Life insurance
• 403(b) with company contribution 5%
• Tuition reimbursement

We know great candidates bring a wide range of experience. If you believe you can be successful in this role, we encourage you to apply — even if you don’t meet every qualification listed.  

Job Title: Resident Support Specialist

Department: Caritas Youth Emergency Shelter

Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt (hourly)

Reports To: Program Supervisor

Compensation Starting Pay: $20.40/h

PURPOSE:  The Resident Support Specialist provides direct care, supervision, and support to youth participating in residential behavioral health programs. This position promotes healthy relationships, life skills development, emotional well-being, and a safe living environment. The Resident Support Specialist assists youth in meeting treatment goals while maintaining accurate documentation and supporting daily program operations.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

•  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.
•  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.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Please note that the Responsibilities and Qualifications provide a general overview of the primary duties for this role and the basic qualifications. This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.  

Requirements

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be at least 21 years of age and demonstrate the ability to work effectively with youth in a residential treatment environment. The individual must be able to work within agency structure, accept supervision, maintain professional boundaries, and collaborate constructively with residents and team members. The employee must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIRED/PREFERRED: 

Degree/Field Required: High School Diploma or GED 

Additional Fields of Knowledge Important for the Role: 

• Child and adolescent development 
• Trauma-informed care 
• Residential treatment programming 
• Crisis intervention and de-escalation 
• Documentation and recordkeeping 

Experience Preferred: 

• Additional training in child development, social services, nursing, human services, or related fields
• Previous residential treatment or direct care experience

Licenses/Certifications Required: Successful completion of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) training 

SKILLS REQUIRED: 

Manager-Specific: N/A

Basic: Strong written and verbal communication skills, documentation accuracy, active listening, organization, and the ability to follow treatment plans, program expectations, and agency policies. 

Social: Ability to establish positive relationships with youth, maintain professional boundaries, work collaboratively with team members, and promote a safe and supportive environment. Demonstrates empathy, patience, and effective conflict-resolution skills. 

Problem Solving/Decision-Making: Ability to assess situations, identify potential safety concerns, respond appropriately to behavioral challenges, utilize de-escalation techniques, and exercise sound judgment in a residential treatment setting.

Proficient Computer Skills In: Microsoft Outlook, Word, database management software, electronic documentation systems, and data entry platforms. 

Expert Computer Skills In: N/A

Resource Management: Ability to prioritize daily responsibilities, manage time effectively, complete documentation within required timeframes, and support implementation of program schedules and activities. 

Technical: Ability to maintain accurate case documentation, utilize electronic record systems, support treatment interventions, and complete required data entry and reporting. 

Trama-Informed: Must display a willingness to adopt trauma-informed interventions, principles, and practices and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development in trauma-informed care. Recognizes the impact of trauma on youth and applies trauma-informed principles when interacting with residents, families, and team members. 

VEHICLE RELATED REQUIREMENTS:

Access to reliable transportation: Required.

Access to a reliable automobile: Required.

Proof of continued auto insurance: Required.

Valid driver’s license: Required.

Additional license requirements: Current DMV Record.

DRUG FREE WORK ENVIRONMENT:

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.