SUMMARY:
The Behavioral Support Specialist / Residential Coordinator provides direct behavioral, therapeutic, and skill-building support to youth residing in a T3C Tier I General Residential Operation (GRO), while also coordinating the daily residential care, structure, and supervision that make a safe and stable living environment possible. This dual-focus role blends clinical/behavioral intervention with the hands-on, day-to-day residential coordination that supports each resident's growth.
The position emphasizes trauma-informed, relationship-based, strengths-focused, and developmentally appropriate care. The Behavioral Support Specialist / Residential Coordinator works as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team to promote safety, emotional regulation, healthy relationships, positive behavior change, and successful community transition — while also facilitating the daily schedules, routines, and nurturing environment residents need to thrive.
JOB DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
1. Behavioral Support and Intervention (Primary Function)
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Provide direct behavioral support to residents experiencing emotional, behavioral, social, or adjustment difficulties.
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Implement individualized behavioral interventions identified in each resident's treatment/service plan.
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Assist residents in developing skills related to:
- Emotional regulation
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Anger management
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Impulse control
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Problem-solving
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Communication
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Conflict resolution
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Healthy relationships
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Coping skills
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Decision-making
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Accountability
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Use proactive interventions to reduce the frequency and intensity of challenging behaviors.
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Support residents before, during, and following behavioral escalations.
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Model healthy connections, self-management, coping skills, and safe decision-making through consistency and appropriate modeling.
2. Treatment Plan Implementation
- Review and understand each assigned resident's treatment plan, Individualized Service Plan (ISP), safety plan, behavioral support strategies, and applicable clinical recommendations.
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Implement assigned interventions consistently and according to each resident's individualized needs.
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Assist residents with treatment goals, homework, self-regulation, and hygiene plans.
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Communicate changes in behavior, functioning, risk, or treatment needs to the appropriate supervisor or clinical staff.
3. Crisis Prevention and De-escalation
- Utilize approved crisis prevention and de-escalation techniques.
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Recognize early indicators of emotional or behavioral escalation.
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Support residents in utilizing individualized coping and safety strategies.
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Follow the organization's crisis response, suicide/self-harm, aggression, AWOL, and emergency procedures.
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Notify appropriate clinical and supervisory personnel when a resident presents a significant safety concern.
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Adhere to 24-hour awake supervision requirements as scheduled.
4. Trauma-Informed and Relationship-Based Care
- Apply the organization's approved trauma-informed treatment model in all daily interactions with residents.
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Maintain a relational, respectful, and developmentally appropriate approach.
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Recognize the impact of trauma, attachment disruptions, grief, loss, abuse, neglect, and adverse childhood experiences on behavior.
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Avoid unnecessarily punitive or confrontational responses to challenging behavior.
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Promote felt safety, connection, trust, and predictability.
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Model healthy communication, boundaries, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution.
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Facilitate engaging interactions, recreational activities, outings, and social engagement opportunities that build trust and resilience.
5. Residential Coordination and Daily Living Support
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Provide a safe and nurturing living environment for residents.
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Facilitate daily schedules, ensure timely follow-through, and support completion of daily tasks and routines.
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Support creation of nutritious menus, assist with grocery shopping, and supervise meal and snack preparation under the direction of the program coordinator.
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Transport youth to and from school, appointments, extracurricular activities, and outings.
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Dispense medication and maintain accurate medication logs.
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Maintain the living environment by ensuring cleanliness and reporting maintenance needs.
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Maintain regulated and appropriate communication and interaction with residents at all times.
6. Documentation
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Complete required documentation, including:
- Daily progress notes and shift documentation
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Behavioral observations
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Intervention documentation
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Incident reports
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Treatment/service plan updates as assigned
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Behavioral data collection
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Crisis/de-escalation documentation
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Treatment team meeting documentation
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Medication logs
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Document shift experience thoroughly and communicate resident needs with supervisors and other shifts in accordance with licensing standards and agency policy.
7. Professional and Regulatory Responsibilities
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Maintain confidentiality and protect resident privacy.
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Follow DFPS Minimum Standards and applicable T3C requirements.
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Follow agency policies and procedures.
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Maintain required training and competency requirements.
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Follow mandated reporting requirements.
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Maintain professional boundaries with residents.
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Follow all health, safety, emergency, and supervision requirements.
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Participate in ongoing supervision, training, and professional development.
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Perform other duties and special projects as assigned to support organizational objectives and enhance operational efficiency.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
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Bachelor's degree in a human services field.
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Minimum 1–2 years of experience working with youth in residential treatment, foster care, mental health, or a related setting.
- Valid Texas Drivers License.
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Experience working with adolescents and/or at-risk youth, preferably in a residential setting.
- Experience with TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention), SAMA, and Crisis Intervention techniques.
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Strong knowledge of trauma-informed care, adolescent development, and life-skills best practices; skilled in meeting the complex needs of vulnerable children and youth. Ability to teach, coach, and engage youth with varying developmental levels. Excellent communication (written and verbal), documentation, and organizational skills.
- Strong time management, responsiveness, accuracy, and team orientation.
- Ability to work independently with minimum supervision.
- High standards of confidentiality, trustworthiness, discretion, and professionalism.
PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:
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Experience with DFPS/HHSC Minimum Standards, independent living curricula, or transition-age youth.
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Demonstrated success in designing, coordinating, and evaluating employee training programs and learning solutions.
- Familiarity with DFPS Minimum Standards and T3C requirements from prior GRO experience.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Gladney Center for Adoption is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to these factors. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.
