Residential Educator and Support Specialist (RESS)

Job Description:
Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence.
The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state. Learn About Our State Supported Living Centers
The state of Texas offers many benefits to employees. HHSC is a qualifying organization for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program , which forgives the remaining balance on college student Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments. We also offer excellent health benefits , a lifetime monthly retirement annuity as well as 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.
If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you!
Under the direction of the State Supported Living Center (SSLC) Director of Residential Services (DRS), the Residential Educator and Support Specialist (RESS) fosters a supportive environment that enhances employee engagement, retention, and career development for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). Establishes and maintains positive, supportive relationships with employees, individuals served, family members, and visitors in order to create an environment of caring, dignity, and respect. Supports the DRS in planning, implementing, directing, and evaluating residential operations to ensure high-quality care for residents and staff. Provides initial and ongoing guidance and mentorship to new home supervisors, residential leadership staff, and DSPs. Provides technical assistance and referrals to assist DSPs in both professional and personal growth and development. Fosters a culture of continuous learning, facilitates training and collaborates with other to improve morale and retention. Coordinates and manages assigned projects, ensuring alignment with DRS and SSLC leadership objectives. Serves as Acting Unit Director on a temporary basis, as needed, directly supervising staff and overseeing operations. Serves as Administrator on Duty on a rotating, on-call basis. Works under limited supervision of the DRS with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment. Work schedule requires regular flexibility to ensure effective training of residential supervisory staff across all shifts.

Essential Job Functions:
Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Supports the DRS in planning, implementing, directing, and evaluating residential operations to ensure high-quality care for residents and staff. Regularly evaluates the effectiveness of onboarding, mentorship, and engagement initiatives, making necessary improvements to maintain high levels of staff retention and satisfaction.

Provides initial and ongoing guidance and mentorship to new home supervisors and residential leadership staff, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge needed to be effective leaders. Participates in the Home Supervisor interview and selection process. Provides effective initial training and orientation for new Home Supervisors, ensuring they understand their responsibilities in staff management, policy compliance, and best practices in residential care. Conduct competency-based assessments for Home Supervisors to ensure they are effectively trained and capable of performing their job duties. Provides consultative support and technical assistance as needed.

Acts as a mentor and a guide to DSPs. Assists DSP in understanding HR policies and procedures and accessing resources to understand state benefits, career advancement opportunities, and cope with personal challenges that may impact their work performance and well-being. Ensure new supervisors and DSPs are aware of available mental health resources, including employee assistance programs, counseling services, and wellness initiatives. Directs/refers staff to the employee relations specialist for additional information when needed.

Develops and implements orientation and training programs tailored to the needs of new staff, ensuring comprehensive onboarding and continuous professional development. Leads training related to Residential Services and Facility Overview during New Employee Orientation, as needed.

Fosters a culture of continuous learning by implementing ongoing professional development programs to enhance the skills of supervisory staff. Facilitates regular training sessions on industry best practices, state regulations, communication, conflict resolution, and leadership development. Promotes a person-centered approach by organizing workshops and discussions that help staff understand and respect the diverse backgrounds, abilities and behaviors of employees and residents. Provide support to supervisors in handling sensitive situations.

Collaborates with the SSLC staff development and retention specialist and other members of SSLC leadership to improve residential staff satisfaction and retention, providing recommendations based on staff interactions. Leads morale-boosting initiatives to increase employee satisfaction, motivation, and retention, including organizing regular team-building activities and recognition programs.

Regularly assesses staff development needs through surveys and feedback to tailor professional development opportunities to staff interests and goals. Provides routine feedback to residential staff to support their professional growth.

Recognizes and praises good performance, encourages peer skill development, and reinforces skill-building efforts. Assists DSPs in identifying a career pathway, outlining clear steps for advancement from direct support roles to residential supervisory and leadership positions, as well as available opportunities across various departments.

Completes residential services projects as assigned. Sets goals, objectives, and deliverables for projects. Tracks outcomes and provide reports as needed.

Serves as Acting Unit Director as assigned during a temporary absence, performing job duties of the Unit Director such as scheduling, directly supervising staff and managing residential services in the assigned homes to ensure active treatment, health, safety and the pursuit of personal goals for the individuals residing in the unit. Serves as Administrator on Duty on a rotating, on-call basis.

Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of all staff at the SSLC, with advanced knowledge of the essential duties of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), program planning, and training techniques.
Knowledge of effective mentoring practices, especially for entry-level staff, of morale-boosting strategies and employee engagement techniques.
Knowledge of SSLC operations, services, agency strategic plans, policies, ICF/IID standards, programs, and critical issues.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to program areas, as well as principles of public administration and management.
Knowledge of resources for life assistance/guidance focused on workplace professionalism, time management, and general life skills, particularly for DSPs new to the workforce.
Skill in leadership and mentorship to guide new home supervisors and residential leadership staff.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for fostering positive relationships across all levels of staff.
Organizational and time-management skills to effectively manage onboarding and ongoing support for multiple employees.
Skill in conflict resolution and problem-solving techniques to address challenges faced by DSPs and leadership staff.
Skill in identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and implementing effective solutions.
Skill in promoting employee well-being and work-life balance.
Skill in project management skills, including monitoring and tracking progress.
Skill in the use of computers, Microsoft Office, other business software, and office equipment (e.g., copiers, printers, fax machines)
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, consumers, families, advocacy groups, and the public.
Ability to inspire and foster a positive workplace culture through team building and morale-boosting initiatives.
Ability to clearly articulate and explain state benefits and career advancement opportunities in an engaging manner, and to refer to an HR specialty when needed.
Ability to develop and implement programs aimed at staff retention and career growth at all levels.
Ability to set goals, solve problems, make sound decisions, and serve as a role model for HHSC's mission and values.
Ability to effectively organize and present information, both verbally and in writing, including directing, instructing, and making presentations.
Ability to adapt to working both independently and in a team environment.
Ability to maintain flexibility in work schedules to accommodate various needs and responsibilities.

Registration or Licensure Requirements:
None

Initial Selection Criteria:
High school diploma or equivalent is required. Prefer Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in health care administration, social work, public health, business administration, human resources, education or a related field.
Five (5) years of experience working with people with developmental or physical disabilities, preferably in an ICF/IID residential facility.
Two (2) years of experience in a supervisory role.
Experience supervising the work of Direct Service Professionals (DSPs) is preferred.

Additional Information:
Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aide, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct and HHS OIG List of Excluded Individuals/ Entities.
Males between the ages of 18 - 25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
All State Supported Living Center Employees are subject to Random Drug Testing.
Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.

MOS Code:
Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include: OS, OSS, YN, YNS, 611X, 612X, 641X, 712X, 8U000, 16GX, 60CO, 63G0, 86MO, 86PO, 88AO . All active duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For additional information see the Texas State Auditor's Military Crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx

HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.

I-9 Form - Click here to download the I-9 form.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

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