Residential Assistant

Sunny Glen Children's Home Job Description
Job Title: Residential Assistant (RA)
Department: Social Services
Supervisor: Treatment Director
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Prepared by: Human Resources Department

Summary
A Residential Assistant at Sunny Glen Childrens Home is in charge of overseeing daily operations at the Supervised Independent Living home. They will oversee the ordering of supplies and determine the needs for maintenance, repairs, and furnishings. They will maintain household records, assign rooms, and assist residents with problem-solving or refer them to counseling resources.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Observe transitional candidates to detect and observe unusual behavior.
Be a positive role model for those in care.
Uses strong organizational skills.
Provide emergency first aid and summon medical assistance when necessary.
Make regular rounds to ensure that residents and areas are safe and secure.
SGCH retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position
Mediate interpersonal problems between residents.
Develop program plans for individuals or assist in plan development.
Counsel students in the handling of issues such as family, financial, and educational problems.
Hold regular meetings with each resident.
Compile information such as residents daily activities and the quantities of supplies used to prepare required reports.
Chaperone group-sponsored trips and social functions.
Order supplies for the home.
Assign a room to residents.
Provide transportation or escort for expeditions.
Sort and distribute mail.

Competencies - To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Continuous Learning - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; seeks feedback to improve performance; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; shares expertise with others.

Job Knowledge - Competent in required job skills and knowledge; exhibits the ability to learn and apply new skills; keeps abreast of current developments; requires minimal supervision; displays understanding of how job relates to others; uses resources effectively.

Use of Technology - Demonstrates required skills; adapts to new technologies; troubleshoots technological problems; uses technology to increase productivity; keeps technical skills up to date.

Problem-Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem-solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Communications - Expresses ideas and thoughts verbally; expresses ideas and thoughts in written form; exhibits good listening and comprehension; keeps others adequately informed; selects and uses appropriate communication methods.

Cooperation - Establishes and maintains effective relations; exhibits tact and consideration; offers assistance and support to co-workers; works cooperatively in group situations; works actively to resolve conflicts.

Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates group presentation skills; participates in meetings.

Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.

Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans; communicates changes effectively; builds commitment and overcomes resistance; prepares and supports those affected by change; monitors transition and evaluates results.

Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well; effectively influences actions and opinions of others; accepts feedback from others; gives appropriate recognition to others.

Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.

Visionary Leadership - Displays passion and optimism; inspires respect and trust; provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates. The position will integrate Sunny Glens Core Values throughout their day-to-day operations.

Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions; aligns work with strategic goals.

Conflict Resolution - Encourages open communications; confronts difficult situations; maintains objectivity; keeps emotions under control; uses negotiation skills to resolve conflicts.

Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; contributes to profits and revenue; conserves organizational resources.

Ethics - Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and principles; upholds organizational values.

Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values; benefits organization through outside activities.

Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; adapts strategy to changing conditions.

Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation.

Achievement Focus - Sets and achieves challenging goals; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; measures self against standard of excellence; recognizes and acts on opportunities.

Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; arrives at meetings and appointments on time.

Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals.; completes tasks on time or notifies the appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Initiative - Volunteers readily; undertakes self-development activities; seeks increased responsibilities; takes independent actions and calculated risks; looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; asks for and offers help when needed.

Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; meets challenges with resourcefulness; generates suggestions for improving work; develops innovative approaches and ideas.

Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in the decision-making process; makes timely decisions.

Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; sets goals and objectives; organizes or schedules other people and their tasks.

Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies feedback to improve performance; monitors own work to ensure quality.

Quantity - Completes work in a timely manner.

Safety and Security - Observe safety and security procedures; report potentially unsafe conditions; use equipment and materials properly.

Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Must be 21 years of age or older. Must be bilingual in English and Spanish. (Preferred)

Education and/or Experience
GED or High School Diploma required. Child-care agency experience preferred.

Language Skills
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, and the general public.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Valid Texas Driver's License with an excellent driving record
Have a record of tuberculosis screening showing the employee is free of contagious TB.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance. The employee must regularly exert up to 25 pounds of force (mopping, lifting groceries, moving furniture, cooking, etc.) and occasionally be able to perform a restraint on youth weighing up to 200 lbs. Must be able to frequently maintain visual and auditory supervision of multiple children. The employee must be able to make quick decisions, tolerate frustration, and be able to always balance mental toughness with compassion. The employee must be able to multitask.

Work Environment
The characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. The employee must be able to function in a noisy environment.
Notes
All services shall be provided in accordance with established standards, principles, and ethics of the profession, applicable professional specialty organizations, and the high-quality standard for which Sunny Glen Childrens Home is recognized.

Sunny Glen is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and complies with all applicable federal and state employment laws. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.

Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this class classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Education and/or Experience

GED or High School Diploma required. Child-care agency experience preferred.