Job Summary
Provide a safe and secure environment for either youth ages 5-17 in a licensed emergency shelter (or up to high school graduation) or for older youth ages 15-22 in the Transitional Living Program (TLP). Provide oversight of the daily operations, scheduling, and direct supervision of direct care staff. Assist residents in day-to-day events, providing supervision and understanding of the residential program’s structure and daily milieu to ensure at all times that their basic needs are met in a satisfactory manner and that quality services are provided using positive youth development and trauma-informed care methods that meet minimum licensing standards and all funding source requirements. The position will focus on direct supervision of staff.
Essential Job Functions
PERSONNEL
- Notify HR when a position vacancy is first expected. Ensure candidates are interviewed and observe on a shift they will be working and that the most appropriate candidate is hired.
- Ensure a thorough orientation and observation period is planned and implemented for all new employees and that the facilities coordinate and document training so that there is a minimum of 5 hours of training offered each month and that training topics cover current employee training needs as well as topics required by minimum standards each year. Utilize recent situations and scenarios from the surveillance cameras for individual or group training as needed and appropriate. The Program Manager will train new employees on extendedReach (eR), Relias, MAB, normalcy, program expectations, shift duties, and other areas as assigned by Program Director.
- Ensure supervision is provided for each employee at least two times per month and team meetings are held at least 1 time per month.
- Schedule employee work schedules and post at least 2 weeks in advance, ensuring coverage to meet staff to youth ratio expectations and to minimize overtime for employees.
- Review and approve employee timesheets and ensure timesheets are submitted accurately and on time each week.
- Complete employee 60-day review and annual employee professional development plans are completed in a thorough and timely manner with each employee.
- Address any employee performance issues promptly and according to agency policies and procedures; notify managers of such issues as soon as they occur and as needed notify the Chief Human Resources Officer. Monitor employee performance (both live and through review of surveillance camera recordings) and provide training and guidance to assist with employee growth and development.
- Responsible for oversight of employee supervision, hiring, training, and disciplinary actions. Recommend and assist with employee disciplinary action and terminations as appropriate.
- Monitor staff development needs and provide or schedule the provision of individual, group, or on the job training; ensure a minimum of 5 hours of documented training is provided for each employee each month.
- Assume other duties and responsibilities designated by the Residential Program Director or designated Licensed Child Care Administrator (LCCA).
Primary Duties
- Train and monitor team to ensure program milieu provides a supportive, trauma informed care environment to help youth develop positively.
- Monitor the program’s compliance for TDFPS Minimum Standards and/or funding source expectations.
- Assist with maintaining an adequate program census by assisting with reviewing referrals as needed. Review all referrals with the Program Director and/or designated LCCA prior to acceptance or denial.
- Directly oversee the planning of the weekly menu for meals and the weekly recreation schedule with youth input and post for youth and staff to see. Maintain a file of these schedules for at least 6 months at a time.
- Ensure each youth’s daily progress, strategies to assist youth, and efforts to coordinate with school, guardian, and health care professionals are fully documented within required time frames and according to standards and that potential concerns are addressed quickly to best help youth succeed. Monitor documentation by employees and provide training or disciplinary action when improvement is needed.
- Coordinate with the multi-disciplinary team and utilize the program structure and plans of service to guide youth and to help youth best transition to return home, their next placement, or to an independent living as appropriate.
- Assist with communicating information to community agencies and providers, program staff, probation officers, case workers, and/or family, etc. for the benefit of the youth’s progress. Communication must be shared with the program counselor to avoid duplication of effort and to ensure any conflicting messages are resolved before communicating with external sources. Relay any news learned from external sources that impacts the youth’s current functioning or future plans with the Program Counselor, the team, and the Program Director.
- Communicate with and gather information for licensing as needed.
- Monitor surveillance cameras to utilize for effective staff training and guidance purposes.
- Audit resident files at least one (1) time per month and at closure to ensure all required documentation is completed thoroughly, accurately, and timely.
- Track program expenses to ensure appropriately meet program expectations. Ensure receipts are submitted to the Program Director and/or Finance Department in a timely manner: within one (1) working day for purchases and weekly for activity funds. Ensure tax exempt status is utilized for purchases where applicable.
- Provide crisis intervention and behavioral intervention as needed.
- Track and document youth intakes, non-billable interruptions in placement, discharges, and current youth levels of care and provide information to data entry personnel as needed to assist in the preparation of monthly program billing.
- Ensure program milieu provides a supportive environment that is trauma-informed care and empowers youth to develop positively.
- Ensure the timely and thorough completion of admission documentation, resident assessments (due at 30 days) the milieu portions of client plan of service, quarterly EBI or PMET reports, and internal quarterly program reports. Ensure intake and discharge documentation is completed and reported in extendedReach (eR) thoroughly and timely.
- Effectively coordinate the youth’s overall plan of service and ensure a unified approach between the youth’s counseling services, the youth’s plan and progress in the daily milieu through effective communication. Work directly with the facility’s Program Counselor to address disparities in the youth’s progress in counseling vs. the milieu to ensure a unified approach to supporting the youth’s growth.
Ensure active participation occurs for each youth’s plan of service meetings, ARD’s or other school meetings, medical appointments, program staff meetings, or other meetings that will ultimately benefit the program and youth served.
- Oversee each youth’s medical appointments are scheduled promptly according to licensing and contract standards and that medical, mental health, psychiatric, or other health issues are addressed quickly.
- Ensure school, medical, legal, and any other information related to youth is uploaded to extendedReach (eR) and shared with the Program Counselor (and caseworker/guardian or other community resources as needed) promptly.
- Ensure adequate staff coverage is provided to meet youth needs and maintain minimum standards. As needed, complete the duties of a Youth Empowerment Specialist in the event of a vacancy or when extra coverage is required.
- Provide on-call crisis intervention as needed.
- Act cooperatively with all agency staff and clients.
- Assume other duties and responsibilities designated by the Residential Program Director, designated LCCA or CEO.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
- Ensure outcome measures for each youth are implemented at intake, during youth’s stay as scheduled for the program, and at discharge.
- Assist with case management duties as needed. For foster care youth, guide them to ensure the daily milieu supports the youth’s progress toward a clear discharge plan, that assessments are being secured to facilitate future placements, and that the youth is making ongoing progress.
- Oversee processes that ensure each youth’s progress and struggles are fully documented and that strategies to assist youth are coordinated with the school, guardian, program counselor, and other health care professionals. Ensure that all plans of service and other written documents are complete within the required time frames and according to standards and that potential concerns are addressed quickly to best help the youth succeed.
- Oversee processes that ensure each youth is promptly enrolled in education and coordinate with the school to best support youth’s education needs. Work with the Program Director to attend ARD’s or other educational reviews as scheduled. Assist with keeping each youth’s education binder up to date. When applicable, assist youth with the steps to obtaining benefits/financial support for post-secondary education.
- Oversee and assist when needed each youth as often as possible in preparing for independent living. Schedule a minimum of weekly individual or group educational sessions to learn various basic life skills needed as youth mature and transition into independent living. Oversee that foster care youth of age are enrolled and attend classes and complete the PALS education program. Ensure all youth of age utilize the online Ansel Casey Life Skills assessment and training or participate in training offered by other resources in the agency or the community for those not in foster care.
- Oversee process that ensures each youth’s health is monitored and potential health or medical issues are addressed promptly. Oversee that medical, consultation for potential issues and schedule health screenings within the first 72 hours of admission. Oversee that a medical wellness exam within the 1st 30 days and a dental exam with the 1st 60 days of admission for new foster are youth have been scheduled. Oversee that annual medical exams and dental exams every six (6) months for youth not new to foster care.
- Ensure each youth’s health is monitored and potential health or medical issues are addressed promptly.
FACILITY AND EQUIPMENT
- Complete a full written facility and vehicle inspection at least once per week with daily visual facility checks, complete any maintenance requests for repairs needed, and notify Program Director with suggestions problems or ideas for improvement of operations or facility improvements.
- Ensure vehicles are inspected at least once per week, kept clean and in good working condition, and potential issues are addressed quickly.
- Complete a fire drill and disaster drill at least once every 3 months and document a report.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Hours: Position is salary based on education and experience and is not exempt from federal wage and hour guidelines; position requires flexibility.
- On-Call Duty: Position requires carrying a cell phone to provide on-call services on a rotating basis.
- Office Base: New Braunfels
- Supervision: Responsible to the Residential Program Director.
- Fringe benefits outlined during orientation.
- Supervision: Directly supervises the direct care staff.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE
- Must be able to meet all the requirements of the job description.
- Must meet all requirements stated in TDFPS Cild Care Licensing Minimum Standards, the DFPS residential contract and the Residential Child Care Requirements Guide for working with youth in the state of Texas.
- Knowledge of issues faced by youth who have been exposed to significant risk factors, including youth separated from their families, youth who have run away or are homeless, and youth who have been abused or neglected and are part of the state foster care system.
- Strong organizational skills are required.
- Must be able to handle multiple tasks at one time.
- Ensure that all documentation and reports are completed within established time frames
- Must be able to prepare clear, professional, and timely reports on program activities to inform management of program accomplishments, issues, and problems.
- Knowledge of working with a culturally diverse client population is expected.
- Must be flexible and able to work well with others.
- Must maintain confidentiality of private youth information per funding source and licensing bodies and personnel information per agency and HR law requirements.
- Must ensure maintenance of an ethical and professional culture of care environment for the benefit of youth, staff, and agency as a whole.
- Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Windows and the use of the internet.
- Must be able to accept supervision, follow procedures and accurately and efficiently update record keeping systems. Must be adaptable to change.
- Must be able to work independently with limited structure and limited supervision.
- Must be able to work flexible work hours; occasional evening or weekend work may be required.
- Must demonstrate creativity and self-motivation/initiative.
Must get along well with others.
- Must demonstrate professional dress, appearance, and demeanor.
- Must demonstrate mathematical abilities.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor's degree is preferred; a high school diploma or GED is required.
- A minimum of three years of supervisor experience, preferable in a licensed residential setting serving youth, is preferred.
- At least five years of experience working in a residential setting is required, experience with at-risk or abused/neglected youth in a licensed residential youth facility is preferred.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills required.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $55,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Experience:
- supervisory: 3 years (Required)
- youth residential care : 5 years (Required)
Language:
Work Location: In person
