Programs Assistant

Seamark Ranch•Green Cove Springs, FL

4d•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, primarily during afternoon and evening transitions from school and Ranch programming to home routines. The role helps children develop emotional regulation, communication, and conflict-resolution skills while supporting House Parents, who remain the children’s primary caregivers and retain authority in the home. The Assistant provides hands-on childcare and support with transportation, meals, homework, and household routines, including temporary coverage when House Parents attend approved responsibilities. The Assistant also helps with Equine, Agriculture, and other Ranch programming, supervising and leading youth as assigned. This is a nonclinical role that supports established Care Plans, behavioral strategies, and clinical recommendations in children’s daily environments. The position is active and residential in nature, with indoor and outdoor activities in varying weather conditions. The Programs Assistant works within an interdisciplinary team and must be comfortable in an environment where Christian faith and values are 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 the normal activities of residential life.
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.
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.
Successful completion of required background screenings, drug testing, and applicable licensing or regulatory requirements.

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 Seamark programming.
Build healthy, consistent relationships with children while maintaining professional and relational 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, following established 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 help maintain a safe, predictable, and respectful residential environment.
Safely transport children 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, abuse or neglect, or elopement risk according to policy.
Maintain accurate, timely 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.
Do not provide psychotherapy, diagnose mental health conditions, or independently create or modify clinical treatment plans.
Do not replace required House Parent staffing or the House Parent’s primary authority in the home; temporary childcare coverage must not become routine substitute staffing.
Maintain appropriate boundaries concerning personal communication, transportation, gifts, social media, and relationships with children and families in accordance with Seamark policy.
Support Seamark Ranch’s mission and model integrity, compassion, and healthy relationships in interactions with children, families, House Parents, coworkers, and community partners.