Programs Assistant

Seamark Ranch•Green Cove Springs, FL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Programs Assistant provides trauma-informed, relationship-based behavioral and practical support to children and House Parents in Seamark Ranch’s residential program. The role primarily covers afternoons and evenings, supporting children as they transition from school and Ranch programming into home routines. The Assistant helps children develop emotional regulation, communication, coping, and conflict-resolution skills while reinforcing Care Plans, behavioral strategies, and clinical recommendations in daily life. This is a nonclinical role; House Parents retain primary caregiving responsibility and authority in the home. The position also provides hands-on childcare and support with transportation, meals, homework, recreation, and household routines, including temporary coverage when House Parents attend approved responsibilities. The Assistant may support Equine, Agriculture, and other Ranch programming by supervising and leading youth as assigned. The role requires collaboration with House Parents, Residential leadership, Clinical staff, and other Ranch programs, along with appropriate documentation, safety practices, and escalation of concerns. This active, residential position may involve indoor and outdoor activities in varying weather conditions. Seamark Ranch is Christ-centered, and employees are expected to support its mission and be comfortable with Christian faith and values being integrated into daily operations and care. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of required background screenings, drug testing, and applicable licensing or regulatory requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, behavioral health, human services, child development, education, family studies, or a closely related field.
Ability to build healthy relationships with children and adolescents while maintaining professional boundaries.
Ability to remain calm, regulated, and solution-focused during emotional or behavioral dysregulation.
Willingness and ability to provide hands-on childcare and participate in normal residential life activities.
Strong communication and teamwork skills within an interdisciplinary team.
Valid driver’s license and ability to meet Seamark Ranch requirements for transporting children.
Availability primarily during afternoons and evenings, with flexibility to meet changing Residential Program needs.
Ability to meet Seamark Ranch and applicable Florida background-screening, training, and employment requirements.
Successful completion of required background screenings, drug testing, and any applicable licensing or regulatory requirements.
Emotional maturity, sound judgment, and self-regulation under pressure.
Ability to balance nurture, structure, and accountability with compassion.
Respect for House Parents and understanding of the importance of preserving healthy authority structures within residential homes.
Comfort working in an environment where Christian faith and values are integrated into daily operations and care, and support for the organization’s mission.
Ability to actively supervise children, walk throughout the Ranch, participate in recreational and community activities, and respond appropriately to emotionally intense or physically active situations while maintaining sound judgment and supervision.

Nice To Haves

One or more years of experience working with children or adolescents in residential care, foster care, behavioral health, education, or a related setting.
Experience supporting children affected by trauma, attachment disruption, foster care, or family instability.
Training or experience in trauma-informed care, crisis prevention, verbal de-escalation, or relational approaches to child and adolescent care.

Responsibilities

Support children during school-to-home transitions, homework, meals, recreation, and evening routines, reinforcing household expectations, Care Plan goals, and behavioral strategies.
Help children build coping, emotional regulation, communication, and conflict-resolution skills, reinforcing concepts introduced through counseling, groups, and other programming.
Build consistent, healthy relationships with children while maintaining professional boundaries and encouraging increasing independence and responsibility.
Work alongside House Parents during challenging situations, modeling co-regulation, de-escalation, and healthy communication, and supporting consistency with Clinical recommendations.
Provide practical assistance and additional childcare during demanding parts of the day and when House Parents attend required meetings, training, or appointments.
Provide temporary in-home coverage as assigned, follow household routines and Seamark policies, and communicate observations while respecting House Parents’ primary authority.
Provide direct supervision and care for assigned children, maintain required supervision ratios, and support a safe, predictable, respectful residential environment.
Transport children safely in Seamark-approved vehicles and follow transportation and child-safety procedures.
Assist with Equine, Agriculture, and other Ranch programming, supervising and leading youth as assigned.
Become familiar with assigned children’s Care Plans, safety considerations, and supervision requirements, and coordinate with Education, Workforce Development, Counseling, and other Ranch programs as needed.
Recognize early signs of dysregulation and use Seamark-approved relational and de-escalation strategies.
Escalate situations beyond the role’s scope to Residential leadership, Clinical staff, medical personnel, or emergency services; immediately report safety concerns, self-harm, suicidal ideation, suspected abuse or neglect, and elopement risk according to policy.
Maintain timely, accurate documentation of significant observations, interventions, and incidents, and communicate behavioral patterns and concerns to Residential leadership and Clinical staff.
Participate in Restoration Meetings, staff meetings, and required training, including crisis-prevention, de-escalation, and child-safety certifications.
Perform other duties as assigned.