Are you looking to make a difference in the world? Do you have a passion for helping children heal and thrive? Then becoming a Connections Specialist at The Refuge Ranch is more than just a job, it's a calling. You'll be an essential part of the multidisciplinary care team, providing the support and nurturing environment that child survivors of sex trafficking need to begin their healing journey. It's a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience that can have a profound and life-long impact on the life of a child. Answer the call today and become a Connections Specialist at The Refuge.

CONNECTION SPECIALIST (Part time, Full time, Weekend shifts) NEED ASAP

Location: Bastrop County, Texas (East Austin)

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

JOB DESCRIPTION

Connection Specialists will serve on the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) as a critical leader and are responsible for working alongside House Parents in supervising and providing therapeutic care to residents. They should promote a sense of connection to family, community, and culture. Connection Specialists model therapeutic methods of managing stress and will create opportunities within the program for residents to experience personal growth and self-awareness.

WORK HOURS

Full-time, Monday through Friday, mornings and evenings available. Schedule as assigned by Director of Programs. Must be able to participate in an on-call/highlight system that may result in working occasional overnight hours if needed. Some weekends and holidays are required.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Creates and provides a nurturing, safe, therapeutic, and healing environment for the residents.
• Provides supervision for up to four residents.
• Provides one-on-one supervision for a girl when safety concerns are noted.
• Creates and implements the daily schedule, assists residents with homework and independent living activities.
• Encourages and supports the residents participation in scheduled therapy, medical appointments, recreation activities and school events, occasionally providing transportation.
• Coordinates, implements, and engages with residents in family-oriented recreational activities, holidays, birthdays, graduations, and religious events.
• Has maturity and sensitivity to cultural and individual differences.
• Assists in preserving each girl’s culture by implementing her traditions or cultural activities into daily cottage life.
• Responsible for collaborative, timely, and accurate communication within team (e.g. incident reports, verbal reports, shift documentation, licensing documentation).
• Advocates for the residents by working closely with school personnel, therapist, case manager, health care liaison, and other key professionals to ensure the residents’ needs are being met.
• Responsible for obtaining and maintaining confidential information.
• Maintains professional physical and emotional boundaries with the residents and staff (language, manner of dress, interactions with the residents).
• Completes daily documentation (an accurate accounting of the day’s events).
• Participates in required trainings, conferences, meetings, projects, and other events scheduled by The Refuge for DMST.
• Must be willing to give and receive constructive feedback via courageous conversations.
• Collaborates and communicates daily with other team members to ensure the needs of the residents are being met.
• Attends weekly or bi-weekly supervision meetings with Supe to discuss strengths, challenges and personal goals.
• Is consistent and present during their shift.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• High school diploma or equivalent. Bachelor’s degree in human services field, preferred.
• Experience working with adolescents and families and/or at-risk resident, preferably in a residential treatment setting.
• Must be able to participate in the Highlighting System (the ability to stay an extra shift to maintain state ratio requirements).
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to be compassionate and firm and always maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent organization and planning skills.
• Commitment to the mission of The Refuge for DMST.

• Position requires driving in personal vehicle and/or agency vehicle to include freeways and highways to satellite offices, offsite meetings, and events as needed.
• Must be able to work on a flexible schedule as needed to meet work, program, and project deadlines.
• Must be physically able to use authorized Crisis Intervention techniques; able to lift up to 50 lbs, squat, sit, walk, run and be on your feet for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to obtain a valid Texas driver’s license and have a safe driving record.
• Be able to pass a drug screening and obtain clear background checks, tuberculosis test or chest X-ray.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated competence and consistent implementation of the core components of The Refuge for DMST treatment program as taught in pre-service and in-service training, ability to maintain current knowledge of the treatment plan and special needs of each assigned resident; to ensure the implementation of each assigned resident’s treatment plan; to ensure documentation of progress of the resident for their treatment plans; to provide leadership in the ongoing assessment of assigned resident.
• Ability to prioritize and respond to the needs of the resident; to effectively use time to ensure assigned tasks are completed within designated timeframes.
• Ability to remain productive and maintain control under stress.
• Ability to collaborate with others in a non-coercive manner.
• Ability to analyze and organize systems.
• Ability to listen, speak, and write effectively.
• Ability to use problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to be flexible.
• Ability to work independently and part of a Multi-Disciplinary team to achieve goals.
• Ability to solve problems, make decisions, resolve conflicts, and listen.
• Ability to deal calmly in crisis situations.
• Success at managing a wide array of tasks and projects and an ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally, both written and verbally.
• Thorough knowledge of the policies and procedures of The Refuge for DMST, DFPS Contract Requirements and the DFPS Minimum Standards for Residential Treatment Centers.

All employees must look out for the safety and well-being of the resident in care by reporting any issues of abuse or neglect suspected at any time to their immediate supervisor and to the DFPS Hotline at 1-800-252-5400.

The Refuge for DMST is an equal opportunity employer, committed to engaging a diverse workforce. We seek the most qualified candidates based on job-related requirements and qualifications.

This job description in no way implies that the duties listed here are the only ones the employee will be required to perform. The employee may be expected to perform other tasks, projects, and training as requested by his or her supervisor.