Trauma-Informed Residential Child Development Specialist

Growabilene; Abilene (TX); On-site; USD 19,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Paid Time Off

401(k) retirement match

Flexible Spending Account

Paid work anniversary trips

Job summary

New Horizons seeks a Child Development Specialist to support emotional, social, and cognitive development of children in a residential treatment environment. You will work directly with kids who have experienced trauma, implementing Keeping Kids First philosophy and therapeutic care to promote healing and resilience.

Responsibilities include supervising and guiding children, collaborating with the treatment team, maintaining detailed progress notes, and assisting with appointments.

Qualifications

• Must be 21+ years old.
• High school diploma or GED required; further study in child development, psychology, social work, or related field preferred.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with children, families, and team members.
• Experience in crisis de-escalation and behavioral intervention.
• Strong awareness of cultural, racial, and socioeconomic diversity.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe, structured environment prioritizing children's physical and emotional well-being.
• Provide supervision based on individual needs, risk factors, age, and development.
• Intervene to prevent unsafe behaviors and maintain a therapeutic environment.
• Supervise children attentively, including high-risk individuals, during activities.
• Collaborate with the treatment team to implement individualized developmental and behavioral strategies.
• Offer routines and developmentally appropriate activities fostering independence and emotional regulation.
• Build nurturing relationships through positive reinforcement and active listening.
• Assist with personal care and hygiene while promoting self-care skills.
• Contribute to treatment planning and meetings with observations about behavior and progress.
• Communicate detailed notes and ensure continuity of care across shifts.
• Assist children in navigating phone calls, visits, and meetings with family or providers.
• Support attendance at appointments and court-related events as needed.
• Document daily progress notes and maintain medication/records accurately.
• Update logs to ensure informed care across staff shifts.
• Administer prescribed medications per orders after training.

Education

High school diploma or GED

Child development education (preferred)

Crisis intervention

Teamwork and communication

Cultural sensitivity

Job description

New Horizons seeks a Child Development Specialist to support emotional, social, and cognitive development of children in a residential treatment environment. You will work directly with kids who have experienced trauma, implementing Keeping Kids First philosophy and therapeutic care to promote healing and resilience.

Responsibilities include supervising and guiding children, collaborating with the treatment team, maintaining detailed progress notes, and assisting with appointments.