Senior Residential Specialist

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan with company match

Paid Time Off accrual

Cell phone discounts

Headspace for mental wellness

Employee Assistance Program

Student loan forgiveness programs

Job summary

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD in Houston is seeking a Senior Residential Specialist to provide advanced direct care and leadership within our Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) for individuals with IDD and behavioral health needs.

You will mentor Residential Specialists, ensure regulatory compliance, document client progress, coordinate scheduling, and support residents' daily living, recreation, and community integration while promoting safety and quality.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• 4 years work experience as a Residential Specialist/Direct Service Professional or residential related title.
• HHSC competency training / DSP Certification upon hire.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Valid Texas Driver’s License required.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care and client supports by assisting residents with ADLs and implementing ISP/behavior support plans; monitor and document progress, behaviors, and incidents accurately.
• Serve as lead resource and role model; provide coaching, mentoring, and training to Residential Specialists.
• Assist Residential Manager with scheduling coverage, shift coordination, and staffing ratios.
• Address staff concerns and elevate issues to management as needed.
• Oversee completion and accuracy of daily logs, progress notes, and required documentation.
• Support residents in participating in recreational, social, and community activities to enhance quality of life.
• Provide oversight of inventory and supply management.
• Coordinate transportation for various outings and appointments.
• Assist with administering medications/supplements and planning meals respecting dietary needs.

Skills

Communication

Team coordination

Flexible hours

Travel readiness

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Brief Description

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD (“The HARRIS CENTER”) is looking for a Senior Residential Specialist to join our team. The Senior Residential Specialist provides advanced direct care, leadership, and oversight within residential services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and/or behavioral health needs residing in the Intermediate Care Facility (ICF). This role supports quality service delivery, ensures compliance with regulatory standards, and serves as a mentor to residential specialist staff while promoting the health, safety and welfare of clients. Senior Residential Specialist assist with daily living activities, implementing individualized service plans, and promoting independence and community integration. This role provides advanced support, shift leadership, and oversight of daily residential operations. The Senior Residential Specialist assists the Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional (QIDP) and program leadership in maintaining regulatory compliance and service quality.

Your Role In Action

• Provide Direct Care and Client Supports by assisting residents with activities of daily living (ADLs), implement individualized service plans (ISP), behavior support plans, medication maintenance, and risk management strategies; and monitor and document client progress, behaviors, and incidents accurately and timely.
• Serve as a lead resource and role model for Residential Specialists by providing on-the-job coaching, mentoring, and training to new and existing staff.
• Assist Residential Manager with scheduling coverage, shift coordination, cover open shifts and ensure appropriate staffing ratios, and all other duties as assigned.
• Address immediate staff concerns and elevate issues to management as needed
• Oversee completion and accuracy of daily logs, progress notes, incident reports, property maintenance, and required documentation.
• Support residents with participating in recreational, social, and community activities to enhance quality of life and promote inclusion.
• Provide oversight of inventory and supply management.
• Coordinate and provide transportation for various outings such as shopping trips, medical appointments etc.
• Assists with administering marked medications/ supplements.
• Prepares and serves a variety of menu items, with careful consideration of special dietary needs, for residents.
• Assists with the planning and exec

Education

What qualifications you will need

• High School Diploma or general education degree (GED).

Experience

• Must have 4 years work experience as a Residential Specialist, Direct Service Professional or residential related title.
• Complete HHSC competency training / DSP Certification upon hire.

Other Key Requirements

• Valid Texas Driver’s License required.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint proficient
• Must have experience planning and communicating among various different groups and teams within organizations
• Ability to travel locally and work flexible hours as needed

What We Have To Offer

The Harris Center not only offers a competitive salary but also a suite of excellent benefits designed to enrich your life both professionally and personally. Imagine a future with a robust retirement plan complemented by our generous company matching – a testament to our investment in your long-term financial well-being. Experience the unique advantage of our prior service credit, accelerating your journey towards a more substantial Paid Time Off accrual, empowering you to enjoy well-deserved breaks.

Enjoy Cell Phone Discounts, exclusive entertainment deals through Tickets at Work, and a free Headspace subscription for mental wellness. Additionally, our Employee Assistance Program supports your overall well-being.

Take advantage of significant financial relief through student loan forgiveness as a valued member of The Harris Center team. As a qualifying entity, our employees are eligible for various student loan forgiveness programs, designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with higher education.

What Else You Should Know

• This posting is associated with position #2924.

About Us

The Harris Center is the state-designated Local Mental Health Authority and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Authority serving Harris County, Texas. As the largest behavioral and developmental disability care center in Texas, The Harris Center provides care to over 90,000 people and has an annual budget of over $300 million.

As part of its mission to transform the lives of people with behavioral health and IDD needs in the third largest county in the United States, The Harris Center provides a full continuum of services at 80 different sites across Harris County. In addition, services are provided in more than 40 different languages as well as sign language in order to better serve what is one of the largest communities in the nation.

By utilizing the unique expertise of its more than 2,500 employees, The Harris Center is committed to meeting the behavioral health and IDD needs of Harris County residents and giving them hope to live to their fullest potential.