Residential Specialist — Deaf Education & Student Well-Being

Iowa School for the Deaf; Council Bluffs (IA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Iowa School for the Deaf in Council Bluffs, IA is seeking a Residential Specialist to support students in the boarding program. This full-time, on-site role focuses on supervision, safety, and promoting a respectful, inclusive living environment.

The position requires strong communication, reliability in shift work, and a commitment to assisting deaf and hard-of-hearing students, with collaboration across educational and support staff.

Qualifications

• Experience or familiarity with residential environments, including Residential Real Estate or housing-related operations, and the ability to support residents in a structured setting.
• Strong Communication skills, including clear written and verbal communication and the ability to adapt communication methods to meet diverse needs.
• Background in Customer Service and Customer Satisfaction, with a focus on responsiveness, empathy, and building positive relationships with students and families.
• Exposure to Sales or persuasive communication, helpful for promoting program engagement and effectively presenting residential policies and expectations.
• Commitment to working with deaf and hard-of-hearing students; willingness to learn or use sign language or other visual communication methods.
• Ability to maintain safety, enforce guidelines consistently, and respond calmly to emergencies or behavioral challenges.
• Strong organizational skills, reliability in shift-based work, and ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary team.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; postsecondary education in education, social services, or related fields is preferred.

Responsibilities

• The Residential Specialist is a full-time, on-site role located in Council Bluffs, IA, supporting students in the school's boarding program.
• This role provides daily supervision and guidance in residential settings, promoting a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment.
• Responsibilities include assisting students with routines, overseeing activities, reinforcing life skills, and supporting communication needs in coordination with educational and support staff.
• The Residential Specialist helps monitor student well-being, addresses concerns promptly, and maintains accurate documentation of incidents and progress.
• Additional duties include collaborating with families and colleagues, following school policies, and participating in training to support best practices in working with deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

Skills

Residential experience

Strong communication

Customer service

Sales exposure

Sign language willingness

Safety enforcement

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma

Education/social services background preferred

Job description

Iowa School for the Deaf in Council Bluffs, IA is seeking a Residential Specialist to support students in the boarding program. This full-time, on-site role focuses on supervision, safety, and promoting a respectful, inclusive living environment.

The position requires strong communication, reliability in shift work, and a commitment to assisting deaf and hard-of-hearing students, with collaboration across educational and support staff.