Residential Program Specialist

Mountain Home Montana•Missoula, MT

10d•$18 - $23•Onsite

About The Position

Mountain Home Montana is seeking a dependable, compassionate, and organized Residential Program Specialist (RPS) to support the daily operations of its residential program. The role helps maintain a safe, structured, trauma-informed living environment for residents and their children while promoting independence, accountability, and positive daily routines. The RPS provides practical residential support, assists with household responsibilities, supports daily routines, completes assigned safety and medication procedures, and maintains accurate documentation. Working alongside Residential Family Support Specialists, the RPS provides consistent residential coverage so residents receive support throughout the day. This position provides residential coverage and practical support; it does not independently provide, document, or bill HSS services. This is an on-site role in a residential setting. Employees are generally assigned a regular, recurring day or swing shift based on the position for which they are hired. Schedules may include weekends and holidays, and may be adjusted based on program needs. Local travel may be required for transportation, appointments, errands, and approved residential activities. The position requires moving throughout the facility, including climbing stairs, standing and walking for extended periods, bending and kneeling, and lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling up to 25 pounds. It may involve assisting residents and children with routine activities, driving to approved community locations, and responding to emotionally challenging or unpredictable situations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to support individuals with disabilities in performing the essential functions of the position. Pay range: $18.00–$23.00 per hour. Benefits are provided according to employment status, scheduled hours, organizational policy, and applicable benefit-plan requirements. Employment offers are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check; applicants with criminal or less-than-ideal driving histories are evaluated using factors including the nature and recency of the conduct, circumstances, age at the time, societal or cultural conditions, likelihood of continued conduct, and commitment to rehabilitation and change.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Experience in residential services, human services, behavioral health, housing, childcare, healthcare, or another direct-service setting.
Ability to follow established procedures, schedules, and expectations.
Strong communication, observation, organization, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to remain calm and professional during conflict, behavioral escalation, crises, and unexpected situations.
Ability to balance consistent expectations and accountability with resident independence and dignity.
Willingness to learn and apply trauma-informed and strengths-based practices.
Ability to complete accurate documentation and maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA requirements.
Valid driver's license, acceptable driving record, and ability to meet agency transportation requirements.
Ability to pass required background checks.
Current CPR/First Aid certification or ability to obtain certification within 60 days of hire.
Ability to move throughout the facility, including climbing stairs, standing and walking for extended periods, bending and kneeling, and lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

One or more years of experience in residential services, human services, childcare, healthcare, or another direct-service setting.
Experience supporting young families, parents, or children.
Coursework or education in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Behavioral Health, Early Childhood Education, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Maintain an active, visible presence in residential common areas and attend to resident, child, household, and safety needs.
Support residents and children with daily routines, meals, childcare transitions, appointments, transportation, and shift-dependent morning or evening activities.
Encourage resident independence through guidance, coaching, and practical assistance with daily living responsibilities.
Provide routine residential coverage while Residential Family Support Specialists deliver treatment-plan-directed services.
Assist with childcare pickup, resident transportation, and approved community activities as assigned.
Prepare and support meals according to established schedules, including ensuring dinner is available each evening.
Complete assigned cleaning, organizing, restocking, kitchen duties, and general household responsibilities.
Conduct scheduled chore, bedroom, bathroom, shared-space, and other residential checks.
Communicate household expectations respectfully and consistently, supporting residents in completing their responsibilities.
Identify and report maintenance concerns, sanitation issues, damaged property, low supplies, and safety hazards.
Complete medication-support procedures when appropriately trained and authorized.
Conduct scheduled or random urine analyses (UAs) and breath alcohol tests (BAs) as assigned.
Handle, label, document, and prepare applicable samples for laboratory submission according to established procedures.
Maintain accurate weekly tracker entries, shift notes, medication and testing records, incident reports, and other required documentation.
Record only activities personally completed, directly observed, or appropriately verified.
Promptly communicate missed medications, testing concerns, discrepancies, and other issues to appropriate personnel.
Monitor resident, child, staff, and facility safety throughout the shift.
Complete assigned room, environmental, and safety checks, including room searches when directed and authorized under agency procedures.
Respond to conflict, behavioral escalation, and unexpected situations using trauma-informed de-escalation practices.
Follow established emergency, visitor, curfew, supervision, security, and mandated-reporting procedures.
Immediately communicate urgent safety concerns and complete required incident documentation.
Coordinate with residential staff to support continuity of care, consistent expectations, and smooth shift transitions.
Communicate resident needs, scheduled activities, incomplete responsibilities, incidents, and required follow-up to incoming staff and the Residential Program Manager.
Follow established program procedures, schedules, and assignments.
Participate in supervision, staff meetings, training, and professional development as assigned.
Maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, and respectful communication with residents, children, coworkers, and community partners.