The Direct Support Professional (DSP) is responsible for working collaboratively as part of a team to provide direct daily care for residents at Boys Ranch. This role ensures the health, safety, and overall well-being of each child in care while delivering compassionate, trauma-informed support.
The DSP provides appropriate supervision of residents, oversees facility upkeep, meal preparation, and the provision of residents’ basic needs, including physical, medical, and emotional care. They serve as a positive, empathetic adult presence, offering guidance and supportive learning experiences that help residents build on their strengths, develop solutions, and foster hope for their future.
Working within a Trauma-Informed Care framework, the DSP collaborates with the treatment team to support each resident’s individualized goals and, when possible, assists with family reunification or alternative permanency options. Flexibility is required, as the DSP may be assigned to work in other homes at the direction of a supervisor or on-call leader.
The DSP will have onsite shared living arrangements and is required to remain on campus during the entirety of their scheduled shift. This position requires cultural awareness and sensitivity to the diverse backgrounds of the service population, ensuring that every child is treated with dignity and respect.
This position involves daily interaction with children and adolescents who may display challenging behaviors, including episodes of physical aggression. Because residential programs operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, coverage is required on holidays and during inclement weather. The role requires extended periods of walking and standing, as well as the physical ability to perform approved crisis intervention techniques at all times to ensure safety.
Essential Duties:
- Exhibits regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
- Actively participates in the home life of assigned residents; supervises and monitors residents and their activities in accordance with all applicable regulations and campus procedures.
- Serves as a positive role model for residents in ethics, morals, appearance, spirituality, and lifestyle principles.
- Implements therapeutic discipline outlined in Cal Farley’s policy and Model of Leadership and Service.
- Maintains complete, accurate home daily logs and submits incidents reports in a timely manner.
- Collaborates with other child care team members as a balanced and unified team. Maintains clear role definitions, equitable distribution of duties, and harmony with other youth care specialist.
- Supports the academic and extracurricular development of residents by fostering a healthy connection between home life and educational pursuits.
- Supports the campus Chapel program by ensuring residents demonstrate appropriate behavior, dress, and attitude toward Christian education and spiritual development. Attends services with residents while on duty, maintaining proper attire, reverence, and participation.
- Effectively utilizes computer systems and technology to complete job responsibilities.
- Coordinates with campus programs (e.g., recreation, vocational education, work simulation) to support resident participation in a cooperative and effective manner.
- Provides wholesome, nutritious meals and snacks in line with prescribed menus and food preparation guidelines. Maintains related documentation, stores food properly, and supervises residents in meal preparation and table etiquette.
- Maintains cleanliness and upkeep of both the interior and exterior of the home.
- Encourages and supports residents’ appropriate interactions with family members, as guided by each resident’s plan of service.
- Provides crisis intervention for residents, including the use of approved verbal and physical intervention techniques.
- Assists with residents’ medical care within position limitations. Administers prescribed/approved medications according to physician orders and campus policy, maintains storage, documentation, and communicates medication issues to the child care team promptly.
- Assists with job shadowing and on-the-job training for new youth care specialist as assigned, maintaining proper roles and boundaries without assuming a supervisory stance.
- Provides transportation for residents to clinic appointments on and off campus, including hospital admissions or other medical facilities when needed.
- Welcomes newly admitted residents by providing orientation to the ranch and home, helping them adjust to their new environment.
- Demonstrates consistent, appropriate, and professional interaction with residents.
- maintains confidentiality and adheres to all policies regarding personnel records, client records, and other sensitive information.
- Follow the formally agreed daily scheduled routine, maintain consistency and teamwork on shift.
Requirements
- A high school diploma or GED equivalency is required. Bachelor’s degree in human service field from an accredited college or university preferred.
- Two years (2) of direct care experience in residential programs/juvenile justice or behavioral treatment centers required.
- Understanding of children, youth and families in crisis.
- Effective listening and communication skills.
- Computer knowledge is preferred.
- Must be at least 21 years of age.
- Must possess a valid Texas driver’s license.
- Bending, lifting, grasping, fine hand/eye coordination, pushing/pulling, prolonged sitting/standing.
- Must be available for travel as needed.
- Proficiency in general office equipment operation is required.
- Must possess exceptional time management and detail-orientation skills.
Benefits
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Cal Farley's is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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