Job Opportunities in United States

The Program Specialist, Smith House (PSSH) assists the Director, Residential Services (Director) and the
Program Manager, Smith House (PMSH) in the coordination, organization, and support of the resident needs
and department operations related to the residential clients in Smith House (SH).
This position is a key member of the Residential Services team, collaborating extensively with the Director,
the Residential Programs Administrator (RPA), and the PMSH to help implement program directives and
contract compliance, with a special emphasis on independent living preparation with teens and young adults
housed at SH (foster care) and the SHAC (foster care alumni). The PSSH will collaborate with SH team
members to address residents’ needs and provide emotional, educational, and employment support, offer
mentorship, and assist with goal completion and preparation for youth to successfully transitions out of foster
care through individualized plans and group activities/facilitations. The PSSH reviews, analyzes, and
evaluates all available resident information to develop an effective, appropriate plans that target key outcomes
aligned with specific needs, pursuant to an intake, planning, and implementation process that leads to the
achievement of safe, stable self-sufficiency for youth. The PSSH delivers services that enhance emotional,
physical, and social well-being, including life skills training, and conflict resolution.
Topics included in self-sufficiency and independent living planning include the following efforts to ensure that
youth attend independent living (IL) sponsored activities such as conferences, leadership retreats, sibling camps, and IL Youth Association youth groups that address (but are not necessarily limited to):

• Behavior Management
• Health Education and Risk Prevention

o Teach basic cooking and health promotion

• Housing Education and Home Management
• Academic Support

o Assist with college preparation

• Career Preparation

o Help establish effective employer relationships

• Budget and Financial Management

o Use experiential learning to build skills and knowledge (i.e., clothes shopping, car insurance
selection, etc.)

• Family Support and Healthy Relationship Education
• Religious Activities
• Transportation

o Practice with residents for permits/SCDL
The PSSH will also assist the Director, PHSH, and YMs in providing referrals for community supports,
communicating effectively with all parties regarding plan progress and challenges, and advocating for
resident needs and rights. The PSSH will be expected to assist with the logistics of all self-sufficiency
plans, to include transport to education and employment, assistance with or oversight of meal preparation,
client daily routines, etc.
The PSSH is responsible for attending regular trainings and monthly program meetings to support the goal
of working in a team-oriented environment. The PSSH will embrace the agency’s mission, adhere to its
values, maintain the confidential nature of the agency’s services and perform the duties of the position as
assigned in a professional manner.
Essential Functions of Position
Note that these tasks are illustrative only; to carry out the day-to-day functions of the job, other
duties may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them
from the position of the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
Program Support

• Design plans for SH and SHAC residents (“residents”) to support educational achievement and

school continuity, access to employment preparation and jobs, personal financial education,
competency and security, and sources of encouragement to save and start to accumulate assets.

• Deliver services in accordance with Council on Accreditation standards to build skills and offer

supports that lead to self-sufficient, healthy, productive, and stable adult lives.

• In collaboration with the residents, develop individualized plans that addresses the attainment of

foundational, short-term, achievable outcomes that lay the groundwork for longer-term positive
outcomes

• Regularly review and update the plans, tracking resident progress toward improved outcomes
• Coordinate with partner agencies and community providers to ensure referrals are properly made

and to assist residents in mitigating crisis situations and meeting goals

• Provide direct assistance to residents as they navigate challenges (i.e., attending meetings, doctor

appointments, driving tests, etc.)

• Coordinate and/or provide occasional transportation to residents in order to support their plan goals
• Lead independent living skills sessions for program participants and assist to coordinate peer support groups as called upon
• Work proficiently with diverse populations and accommodate special needs, as appropriate, to

ensure effective service are provided

• Demonstrate problem solving, critical thinking, and time management skills
• Work independently and effectively without daily supervision
• Ensure all residents understand their rights and maintain the highest protections for client privacy

and confidentiality

• Assist the Director in quality improvement efforts; participate in data management meetings,

review provided performance data, and ensure client satisfaction surveys are delivered on a
consistent basis

• Provide short-term counseling or coaching with residents to address trauma and daily issues

impacting youth who have experienced trauma.

• Coordinate and provide as necessary transportation for residents
• Participate in regularly-scheduled case planning staffings.
• Attend and participate in regularly-scheduled in-service training staff meetings. A minimum of

fourteen hours of field-related training must be achieved each licensing year. Must pass
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention training.

• Help YM maintain order and neatness in the home, yard, and vehicles. This may include laundering

clothes for donation closets. The facilities should be ready for unannounced inspections at all times.

• Assist the ED, Director, PEM, and the program managers with meeting all applicable DSS contract

requirements, South Carolina licensing regulations, COA standards, grant requirements, and
contract expectations; assist with preparing for and conducting all compliance site visits.

• Assist the Director and PMSH with menu planning, food inventory management, and grocery

shopping as needed

• Provide assistance with floor team (YM) duties:

o While on the floor, perform the following:

• Monitor educational, medical and hygiene needs, and teach independent

living skills to prepare youth leaving Pendleton Place programs.

• Supervise youth at all times during awake hours.
• Understand and appropriately implement the use of Agency behavioral tools (e.g.

TCI, ICMP, Operations Handbook, Resident Handbook)

• Remain proficient in use of Agency software, Extended Reach, HMIS, and

maintain accurate and complete documentation, files and forms

• Provide program managers timely documentation of observed behaviors to

enable appropriate case management decisions.

• Demonstrate an understanding of working with traumatized youth and trauma based behaviors and be prepared to engage in short term conferencing as needed.
• Distribute medication and document information in medication log as trained.
• Train in and demonstrate the ability to utilize Therapeutic Crisis

Intervention’s de-escalation techniques and physical interventions. Must
maintain a score of 80 or above.

• Perform other duties as required and/or requested by Director, PMSH, RPA

Minimum REQUIRED Qualifications

• An earned Baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college in psychology, social

work or a related field to include but not limited to, criminal justice, rehabilitative counseling,
elementary or secondary education field, with 4+ years of related experience required

• Experience/familiarity working with high-school aged youth and young adults
• Experience/familiarity working with curriculum development and training
• Experience/familiarity with maintaining compliance with state, federal, and national bodies
• Excellent documentation
• Ability to work cooperatively as a team member
• Ability to follow written and oral directions
• Fierce commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Physical ability to lift and carry 50 pounds
• Valid South Carolina driver’s license
• Satisfactory criminal history and background check determination (Child Abuse and Neglect Central

Registry and/or out-of-state equivalent, Sex Offender Registry, Motor Vehicle Registration, and
others)

• Thorough knowledge of community resources and social service agencies
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion in interpreting and applying various proceduresand

guidelines

• Given that most duties are time sensitive, the RPA must be able to perform all duties in the timeframes

required by contracts, DSS licensing, FYSB, COA, or other internal guidelines established by the
Director and ED

• Will have or will obtain CPR/First Aid Certification

Desired Qualifications

• MSW or closely related graduate degree
• Advanced child welfare or trauma training
• Dual experience in residential programs serving youth in foster care and those experiencing

homelessness