Direct Care Worker

Compass Connections • Baytown, TX

11d • Onsite

About The Position

Compass Connections provides emergency shelter and group home placement for children while working to reunite them with family. The Direct Care Worker supports children in a facility in Baytown, Texas, providing sustained direct supervision, helping maintain a safe and supportive environment, and assisting children with daily activities and life skills. The role requires fluency in English and Spanish and is scheduled for the PM shift, 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent, first aid, CPR, and emergency behavior intervention certifications, and one year of child-welfare employment experience working with children and/or adolescents in a social service setting and/or training in a related human services field. A two-year associate degree or two or more years of college-level coursework in a related human services field, and two or more years of related experience and/or training, are preferred.

The worker follows applicable regulations and agency policies, documents children’s progress and incidents, contributes to treatment planning as appropriate, and uses positive behavior management and crisis intervention techniques. The role includes teaching children social, conversational English, hygiene, problem-solving, time and money management, and other life skills; supervising scheduled activities; helping with homework; maintaining living areas and records; and communicating with children, families, colleagues, and service providers. Workers must complete required documentation before the end of each shift, maintain confidentiality, follow safety protocols, and work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed or requested by the supervisor.

Employment is conditional on passing pre-employment and random drug screens, passing pre-employment and biennial criminal background checks, providing proof of work eligibility when requested, and receiving an annual influenza vaccination or obtaining an approved medical or religious exemption. Applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer; visa sponsorship is unavailable.

Requirements

• Fluency in English and Spanish.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• First aid, CPR, and emergency behavior intervention certifications.
• One year of employment experience in the child welfare field working with children and/or adolescents in a social service setting and/or training in a related human services field.
• Pass a pre-employment drug screen and random drug screens during employment.
• Provide proof of work eligibility status upon request.
• Pass pre-employment and biennial criminal background checks.
• Respond sensitively and competently to the cultural and socio-economic characteristics of the service population.
• Work collaboratively with staff, service providers, and professionals.
• Provide crisis intervention according to Compass Connections training when needed to maintain a safe environment.
• Work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining emotional control and professional composure.
• Maintain the computer literacy needed to perform the position’s responsibilities.
• Work effectively without intensive supervision, independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrate working knowledge of Compass Connections policies and procedures.
• Receive an annual influenza vaccination or obtain an approved medical or religious accommodation exemption, and provide proof as a new hire.
• Be authorized to work for any employer in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

• Two-year associate degree from an accredited program or institution, or two or more years of college-level coursework in a related human services field.
• Two or more years of related experience and/or training in a related human services field.

Responsibilities

• Meet applicable federal and state regulatory guidelines and standards.
• Document serious incidents, daily progress, and activities completely, accurately, promptly, and in compliance with agency policies and procedures.
• Assist with orientation of new children and staff.
• Provide input into treatment plan development as appropriate or requested.
• Use positive child management techniques, including verbal redirection, de-escalation, and containment.
• Plan, organize, and supervise children’s activities according to the daily activity schedule.
• Teach constructive behavior, social skills, problem-solving, responsible time and money management, conversational English, personal hygiene, and life skills.
• Assist children with homework assignments.
• Maintain orderly and clean children’s living areas, assist with household and children’s laundry, oversee daily chores, identify routine maintenance or repair needs, and report them to the Unit Manager.
• Maintain and update records of children’s clothing and personal items.
• Help maintain a secure campus by conducting required rounds, following radio communication protocols, and responding to radio calls.
• Promote positive interactions among children and encourage responsibility in the facility’s daily routine.
• Model and explain culturally and socially desired behaviors to children.
• Work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed or requested by the position supervisor.
• Implement safety protocols, including evacuating with children and staff in an emergency.
• Maintain confidentiality in all areas of child and program operations.
• Follow professional and ethical standards, show respect to staff, children, and community members, and comply with the dress code.
• Provide sustained, uninterrupted direct supervision of assigned children from the start of the shift until relieved.
• Follow medical and clinical staff instructions regarding each child and inform the Unit Manager about information affecting children’s basic health and well-being.
• Communicate positively and respectfully with children, families, and agency staff, including supervisors, coworkers, therapists, student interns, and volunteers.
• Move between facility areas indoors and outdoors as needed to supervise children.
• Communicate behavioral expectations and program regulations to children and enforce compliance.
• Complete required documentation before the end of the shift and meet deadlines set by the program supervisor and federal partners.

Benefits

• Benefits available on the first day of employment.
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement plan options.
• Additional employer-sponsored benefits are available; applicants are advised to ask their recruiter for a complete overview.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED