FT Youth Residential Direct Care Specialist

Make a real impact, Every single day.
Join our team and help create a safe, supportive, and structured environment where youth can grow, heal, and succeed. Whether you’re just starting your career or bringing prior experience, we provide the training and support you need to thrive.

As a Youth Residential Direct Care Specialist, you’ll work directly with youth in a group home setting, providing guidance, supervision, and positive role modeling during weekend hours. You’ll play a key role in helping youth build life skills, manage behaviors, and reach personal goals.

• Provide daily supervision and ensure a safe, structured environment
  • Build supportive, professional relationships with youth
  • Assist with routines, meals, activities, and transitions
  • Support behavioral and emotional needs using trauma-informed approaches
  • Teach and reinforce life skills (communication, hygiene, responsibility)
• Entry-level candidates encouraged to apply
  

Why Join Unity House?

At Unity House, you’re not just taking a job, but building a career with purpose. You’ll be part of a mission-driven team dedicated to helping youth overcome challenges and build brighter futures.
Apply Today!
If you’re ready to make a difference and grow in a rewarding field, we encourage you to apply. No prior experience required, just a commitment to helping others.

How You'll Be Making a Difference

• Knowledge and application of program routines/ structure. Maintain a general understanding of the population of clients with whom we work.
• Foster healthy, appropriate relationships with our clients through daily interactions.
• Develop an understanding of level system (cards, behavior contracts, etc.).
• Supervise and coordinate activities of daily living for students, including hygiene, clothing, chores, and other activities. Assist children with the transition from each scheduled activity.
• Provide First Aid appropriately as needed.
• May plan and participate in activities with clients/students on an individual and small group (less than 6) level in accordance with treatment plans and goals. Teach age-appropriate life skills and social skills through modeling, counseling, and other techniques.  Participate in groups and activities designed to enhance growth and development.
• Participate in off-campus recreational/educational activities.
•  Manage living, dining, educational, recreational areas to provide a clean, organized environment for students.  Insure adequate supervision of students through coordination of care with other staff.
• Provide group and individual behavior support and intervention as trained, including the use of TCI appropriate physical restraint as necessary. Coordinate medical and emergency situations with the supervisor.
• Communicate through written and verbal means with other program staff on positive skills and accomplishments as well as difficult or challenging client issues.
• Complete all assigned paperwork including time sheet, level card, goal/ level tracking, incident reporting, and 51A’s in a thorough and timely manner.
• Attend trainings.
• Participate in supervision meetings with supervisor.
• May be asked to prepare weekend meals.
• If required to transport clients, must maintain the minimum amounts of liability insurance as required by The Home and/or other regulatory requirements and vehicle registration must be current.

What to Expect in the Role

• Being physically active for an 8-10 hour shift
• Participating in verbal de-escalation and physical intervention with youth
• Multi-tasking in a changing and fast-paced treatment environment
• Receiving and implement feedback in the moment and through a structured supervision process

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Childcare experience in a residential setting with similar population of children preferred
• Computer literate, including Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer, with the ability to learn new software applications     

What The Home Can Offer You

In addition to the chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of the youth we serve, The Home for Little Wanderers offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Health, Vision and Dental Insurance available
• Generous time off including up to 15 days per year for new full-time employees, plus 11 holidays, and 5 sick days
• Extensive training to new staff
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $3,000 per fiscal year
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with employer match
• Employer paid Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance, plus Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• And more!

What Else We Offer
• Opportunities for advancement within the organization
• Supportive, team-oriented work environment        

Valuing Diversity

We are committed to excellence in diversity, equity, and inclusion, while simultaneously creating a culture that supports those values. We believe the differences we bring enhance our ability to provide exceptional service and care to diverse children, families, and communities. Moreover, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging align with our values and our mission to help vulnerable children and their families build permanent, positive change.