Behavior Support Specialist at Upbring in Canyon Lake, Texas

Job Description:

About Upbring

At Upbring, we are servants on a mission to break the cycle of child abuse. We are warriors, brave as the thousands of Texas Children and families we serve. We stand up for those who can’t speak for themselves. We are a family who values innovation, empathy, patience, understanding and trustworthiness.

$600.00 Sign On Bonus (paid in 3 installments)

About New Life Residential Treatment Center

Many of the girls arrive at New Life after experiencing severe abuse or neglect. These courageous young women are between the ages of 11-17, and they begin to grow and heal through in-depth clinical therapy, personal development activities and spiritual care in a safe setting.

Girls stay an average of six to eight months and begin to feel a restored sense of hope in their futures – thanks to the support of New Life’s staff and therapists specializing in Trauma-Informed Care. Often during the healing process, girls discover special interests and talents and begin to live a healthy lifestyle. Many girls are either reunited with biological family or connected with a loving foster family after living at New Life.

What You'll Do as a Behavioral Support Specialist

In collaboration with the interdisciplinary and treatment teams, Behavior Support Specialists provide behavioral and academic support to students experiencing varying diagnoses and/or special needs by creating a positive, proactive, and innovative approach to behavior support that emphasizes skill development, academic success, and life skills through nurturing, positive, proactive, and innovative approaches. Additionally, the Behavior Support Specialist provides direct care to youth outside the classroom and on campus, counted within the ratio and in the capacity of direct care services.

Our Upbring staff members are servant-leaders on the pursuit of breaking the cycle of child abuse and empowering others to do the same through example while embodying our core values: We are Warriors. We are Servants. We are Family.

Behavioral Support Specialist Work Standards

• Provide behavior and academic support to youth while they are attending class; assist teachers with de-escalation of behavior issues that may arise during learning
• Coach and guide youth to resolve issues using techniques and strategies to decrease stress and behavior challenges in compliance with youth’s Individualized Service Plan (ISP)
• Provide ongoing feedback to youth related to their behavior and performance and participation in the classroom
• Assist youth with social skills, anger management, and daily living skills
• Provide direct supervision and observation of all youth while in their living space or common areas; always know the whereabouts of the assigned youth during the shift
• Ensure that youth are prepared for school; appropriate dress for the TCS dress code, ensure youth are not in possession of prohibited items to bring to school, have the proper school supplies and only what the school requires, etc.
• Supervise and interact with youth based on their Individualized Service Plan (ISP)
• Ensure the safety, security, and sanitation standards are maintained in all work areas

Communication

• Complete progress reports in a timely manner; clearly and accurately document all behavior, emotional, and mental health situations turning in paperwork and documentation prior to the end of the shift
• Maintain awareness of resident behavior and utilize the proper intervention and appropriate consequence in accordance with the resident’s ISP; clearly and accurately document the behavior using the designated forms prior to the end of the assigned shift
• Report and properly document all incidents in a timely manner (prior to the end of the assigned shift)
• Other duties and special projects as assigned by Program Director or Team Lead

We Are Servants | We Help Others

Teamwork

• Provide youth and staff with behavior management strategies
• Assist the interdisciplinary team with completing assessments and evaluations of youth as it relates to their behavior in and out of class; address each youth’s inappropriate behavior and provide strategies and techniques to help them become more emotionally and socially successful
• Assist staff with awakening youth to meet daily living goals and prepare for attending school
• Provide back-up services and support to other units/areas when needed inclusive of high acuity units/areas, weekend, second and third shift coverage
• Assists with the collaborative efforts and activities with the interdisciplinary and treatment teams to ensure all youth are receiving the quality of services needed to meet their individual treatment and behavior plans
• Must assist in the evacuation of youth as needed due to inclement weather conditions, natural disasters, or other unforeseen occurrences

We Are Family | We Are Passionate & Compassionate

Building Relationships

• Build and maintain cooperative working relationships with management, program staff, inter-disciplinary and treatment teams, volunteers, and service providers to ensure the needs of the resident and program goals and services are being met at the highest quality; work within the established ethical boundaries at all times
• Work as team player both internal and external clients that reflects positively on the Agency and is consistent with Agency policies and practices
• Actively participate in exhibiting cultural awareness and sensitivity when interacting with youth, parent(s)/guardian(s), staff, and the community

Behavioral Support Specialist Minimum Qualifications

• Must be 21 years of age or older per licensing requirements
• 1-year experience in child welfare or educational setting
• Ability to work a rotational schedule to provide weekend and/or out-of-school hours coverage
• Strong and effective organizational and time management skills
• Strong and effective people and interpersonal skills with the ability to work independently, within a team environment and with a diverse group of people at all levels within the program
• Ability to remain confidential and work within established ethical boundaries always
• Ability to establish a positive and trusting rapport with youth
• Proficient with basic computer skills, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

Behavioral Support Specialist Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Social Services, Human Services, Psychology, Special Education, or related field
• Over 1-year relevant experience working with youth with varying diagnoses and/or special needs
• Experience managing challenging behaviors
• Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and experience supporting children or adolescents diagnosed with emotional, mental health, neurological or development disabilities

Perks at Upbring

• Competitive PTO & paid holidays
• Health, dental, vision insurance & more!
• 403(b) Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• 24/7 access to telemedicine and counseling services
• Discounted Gym Memberships

Physical Demands & Work Conditions

• Requires working with a diverse population of youth with varying degrees of behaviors and trauma
• Requires standing for long periods of time
• Lift, push, pull, move up to 50 lbs

The physical requirements for this position with or without reasonable accommodation are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. While performing this position the employee with or without reasonable accommodation should have the ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, speak, and hear with aid, see, read, reach with arms and hands, lift and/or move up to specified weight, and use equipment that is essential to performing the job, such as a computer, copier, fax machine, telephone, and automobile, if applicable. Specific vision requirements of this position may include color vision, seeing things close up, and the ability to adjust focus.

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Belonging

We are a diverse and inclusive Organization that recognizes our strength is in the efforts of our selfless warriors. Honoring and recognizing the value and dignity of all individuals is the cornerstone of our agency. The more diverse the individuals, thought processes and lived experiences, the greater the opportunity is to combine unique perspectives to make a greater impact. Our trust, respect, and appreciation for one another is demonstrated through our communication, celebration of progress and relentless effort to be at our best TO FULLFILL OUR MISSION OF BREAKING THE CYCLE OF CHILD ABUSE.

Upbring is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status.

Keywords:

New Braunfels, Schertz, San Marcos, Seguin, Spring Branch, Universal City, Cibolo, Kyle, San Antonio, Behavior Support, Residential Treatment, Juvenile, Youth Care

PI241371239