Residential Specialist - Kona Emergency Shelter

POSITION TITLE: Residential Specialist

DEPARTMENT: Residential - Kona Emergency Shelter

RESPONSIBLE TO: Program Manager

STATUS: Non-Exempt

DATE: July 2025

General Statement: The Salvation Army is a branch of the Christian Church, and the ultimate goal of all programs is a spiritual regeneration of all people.

MISSION STATEMENT: The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by love for God. Its mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Unit Mission Statement:

"To provide youth with skills for a healthy life, and instill purpose, hope and vision to youth and their families."

JOB SUMMARY:

The Residential Specialist for the Kona Emergency Shelter, is a Full time 40 hours a week non-exempt position. The Residential Specialist performs the essential functions as indicated in this job description and is supervised by the Program Manager. The Kona Emergency shelter program provides services for youth in need of out of home placement, and provides this service 24-7, and throughout the entire year. During their assigned shift and as directed by the Program Manager, the Residential Specialist is responsible for the up-keep of the facility to meet program and licensing standards, and will also monitor the safety and will ensure the needs of the youth in placement are met through the essential functions in this job description.

1. ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

1. High school graduate and three years experiences working with juveniles and/or at-risk and vulnerable youth population such as those experiencing abuse and neglect and/or combination of related experiences in social service settings that include vulnerable populations; or Associates degree in human services or at least two years of college level studies in human services field and two years of experience working with juveniles or at-risk and vulnerable youth population such as those experiencing abuse and neglect and/or combination of related experiences in social service settings that include vulnerable populations; and/or equivalent combined education and experiences.
2. Valid Hawaii driver's license.
3. Valid TB clearance & Pre employment medical clearances
4. Valid First Aid and CPR certification.
5. DHS FBI/Criminal History & CAN cleared

1. Meets Salvation Army standards as an authorized driver.

1. PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. BA in Human Services or related field
2. Related work experience that specifically includes providing services to clients in residential care.
3. Experience and training with trauma with informed-care care services, that involves assessment and crisis intervention services for clients in need.
4. Work experience with clients experiencing mental health and substance use disorders also preferred.

1. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Ensure upkeep of facility to meet program and licensing standards. Report any unmet conditions to Program Manager.
2. Provides immediate screening, intake and assessment, crisis intervention for all youths referred to the program.
3. In concert with, schedule group activities for after school weekends, holidays and vacation.
4. Must be able to work in various work shift periods as assigned that could include day, evening, grave, and/or weekend shifts.
5. Ensure completeness of resident files and program files.
6. Maintain consistency in program rules and procedures.
7. Monitor resident service contracts to see that resident and family needs are met with all agencies involved with resident during placement in facility.
8. Ensure all program and resident needs are met on a continuing basis. Reporting to Program Manager staff training needs.
9. Transporting of residents to and from school, work, and/or scheduled appointments.
10. Complete required daily reports/consultations on each resident.
11. Monitor phones, visitors, workers, parents, and handle emergencies and crisis calls.
12. Aid Program Manager with supervision of Residential Assistants and volunteers.
13. Do intake/discharge Orientate new residents/check resident's safe arrival after discharge.
14. Facilitate scheduled house/group meetings/fire drills and documentation thereof.
15. Serve as a crisis counselor while on duty - on the phone or in person with youth and/or parents.
16. Model behavior, including communication process, decision making, working out problems, discipline, order, organization skills, cleanliness, respect for property or others, work an education. Maintain a professional worker/resident and staff relationship at all times.
17. Participate in individual, group, family counseling sessions when appropriate, upon request of the resident, primary worker and family.
18. Maintain all required documentation relating to resident and provide monthly program summary and statistical data to Program Manager.
19. Be involved in public information campaign and assist in representing the agency in the community.
20. Attend meetings, workshops, retreats, conferences, and growth groups, etc., as scheduled or required.
21. Grocery shopping and menu planning for the shelter. Supervision of residents in meal preparation.
22. Other duties and tasks as assigned by Administration.

1. OTHER FUNCTIONS
2. Performs other duties as assigned.

1. SKILLS AND PERSONAL QUALITIES
2. Willingness to accept and implement The Salvation Army philosophy.
3. Personal attributes: Good/sound judgment, dependability, initiate understanding, firmness, caring organizational skills, high energy level and ability to work under conditions of stress

MENTAL DEMANDS:

• Work under stressful conditions
• Interact with others with courtesy and tact
• Relate to wide range of people and situations including youth, parents, agency workers, police, school personnel, etc.
• Work within an interdisciplinary team concept; participate in staff training and growth group
• Manage and prioritize multiple projects in an organized and efficient manner
• Respond to crisis situations in a calm and effective manner
• Complete projects on schedule
• Maintain confidentiality
• Maintain regular and punctual work attendance; may require flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The position requires sitting; climbing and/or balancing; stooping, kneeling, bending, stretching, crouching and/or crawling; standing; walking; manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; use of vision; driving a vehicle; pushing/pulling/lifting/carrying 25-50 pounds and occasionally more than 50 pounds; traveling by airplane. Provide safe restraints of youth involved in physical confrontation situations.

COMMUNICATION DEMANDS:

The position requires talking to co-workers, clients, vendors; requires written communication to and from co-workers, clients, vendor; talking on the telephones; requires responding to written or verbal requests of co-workers, clients, and vendors; requires training/giving verbal and written instructions; requires receiving verbal and written instructions; requires writing/composing written language; requires reading; requires visiting/working at other worksites; requires communication via the latest technologies. Ability and skill in communicating with people of different cultures/ethnicity.

SKILLS/TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE:

Prioritize multiple work tasks to meet tight deadlines

EQUIPMENT NEEDS:

Use office equipment such as computers, photocopiers, scanners, calculators, etc.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Most work will be indoors at Family Intervention Services. Attendance at trainings, both in Hawaii and on the mainland, may be required.

NOTES:

The information in this job description indicates the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this classification. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory, or all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees assigned to this job. Management has the right to add to, revise, or delete information in this description. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by management.