Senior Residential Specialist

The Harris Center for Mental Health and ID; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 44,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan with company matching

Paid time off accrual

Cell phone discounts

Tickets at Work access

Headspace subscription

Employee Assistance Program

Student loan forgiveness programs

Job summary

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD is seeking a Senior Residential Specialist to provide advanced direct care, shift leadership, and oversight for residents with IDD or behavioral health needs in an ICF setting.

You will mentor Residential Specialists, support ISP implementation, coordinate scheduling, and ensure accurate documentation while promoting health, safety, and community integration for residents.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care and client supports, including ADLs, ISP implementation, behavior support plans, medication maintenance, and risk management; document progress and incidents accurately.
• Lead Residential Specialists with on‑the‑job coaching, mentoring, and training of new and existing staff.
• Assist Residential Manager with scheduling, shift coverage, and staffing ratios; handle other duties as assigned.
• Address staff concerns and escalate issues to management as needed.
• Oversee daily logs, progress notes, incident reports, and required documentation.

Skills

Direct Care

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Coaching

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

• Location 5705 Warm Springs Rd,Houston, TX, 77035,United States
• Base Pay $21.52 / Hour
• Job Category Direct Care
• Employee Type Full-time
• Required Degree High school
• Manage Others No

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

What qualifications you will need:

Education:

• 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:

• 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.