We are seeking a dependable, compassionate, and highly organized
Residential Support Specialist (RSS) to support the daily operations of a six bed residential mental health treatment facility.
This position plays an essential role in creating a safe, comfortable, structured, and supportive environment where clients can focus on their mental health and recovery. The Residential Support Specialist is responsible for a combination of residential operations, meal preparation, housekeeping, transportation, client observation, and nonclinical client assistance.
The ideal candidate is a proactive, service-oriented individual who takes pride in maintaining a welcoming environment, works well with a multidisciplinary team, and understands the importance of professionalism, compassion, confidentiality, and consistency in a behavioral healthcare setting.
This is a hands-on position requiring flexibility, attention to detail, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to balance multiple responsibilities throughout the day.
Key Responsibilities
Residential Operations & Housekeeping
- Maintain a clean, sanitary, organized, and welcoming residential environment.
- Perform routine housekeeping duties, including cleaning and sanitizing common areas, kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and other assigned spaces.
- Assist with laundry, linen changes, supply organization, and other daily residential needs.
- Monitor household supplies and communicate inventory or maintenance needs to management.
- Identify and promptly report environmental hazards, maintenance concerns, and safety issues.
- Support daily residential routines and ensure living spaces meet established facility standards.
Meal Preparation & Kitchen Management
- Prepare and serve nutritious, balanced meals according to established menus, schedules, and facility guidelines.
- Accommodate documented dietary restrictions, food allergies, and individual nutritional needs as directed by the appropriate staff.
- Maintain kitchen cleanliness and follow appropriate food handling, storage, and sanitation procedures.
- Assist with meal planning, grocery organization, inventory management, and food preparation.
- Ensure meals are prepared and served on schedule to support consistent daily programming.
- Promote a positive and respectful dining environment.
Client Support & Daily Living Assistance
- Provide compassionate, respectful, nonclinical support to residential clients throughout their daily routines.
- Assist clients with appropriate activities of daily living, organization, and other practical needs within authorized responsibilities.
- Encourage participation in established daily schedules, meals, recreational activities, and approved programming.
- Help maintain a structured, comfortable, and therapeutic residential atmosphere.
- Demonstrate patience, professionalism, and appropriate boundaries when interacting with individuals experiencing mental health challenges.
- Recognize changes in client behavior, presentation, or general well-being and promptly communicate observations to the appropriate clinical or nursing personnel.
- Respect each client's dignity, privacy, individuality, and personal circumstances.
Client Transportation
- Safely transport clients to approved medical appointments, treatment-related activities, and other authorized destinations.
- Follow all facility transportation policies, traffic laws, and vehicle safety procedures.
- Maintain accurate transportation logs and report any delays, incidents, or safety concerns.
- Ensure clients are treated respectfully and professionally during transportation.
- Assist with coordinating transportation schedules and communicating appointment-related needs.
Safety, Supervision & Client Observation
- Support a safe, secure, and structured residential treatment environment.
- Conduct assigned nonclinical client observations and follow established safety and reporting procedures within the employee's training and authorization.
- Identify and promptly report behavioral changes, medical concerns, environmental risks, or other potential safety issues.
- Follow established emergency response, incident reporting, and escalation protocols.
- Collaborate with qualified clinical and nursing personnel to ensure client needs are appropriately communicated and addressed.
- Maintain professional boundaries and adhere to facility policies concerning client safety, confidentiality, and conduct.
Documentation & Team Collaboration
- Complete assigned residential logs, housekeeping checklists, meal records, transportation documentation, and incident reports accurately and on time.
- Communicate relevant client observations and operational updates to nursing, clinical, and management personnel.
- Participate in scheduled staff meetings, training sessions, and operational discussions as required.
- Maintain compliance with applicable facility policies, confidentiality requirements, and documentation standards.
- Support other reasonable residential operational responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Operations.
Required Qualifications- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Experience in residential services, hospitality, caregiving, behavioral healthcare, or a related service-oriented environment preferred.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to independently manage assigned operational responsibilities.
- Comfortable preparing meals, completing housekeeping tasks, and maintaining residential living spaces.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with clients, families, and multidisciplinary staff.
- Ability to remain calm, patient, and responsive in emotionally sensitive or challenging situations.
- Valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record for client transportation responsibilities.
- Ability to successfully complete applicable background screening, onboarding, and facility-required training.
- Commitment to maintaining confidentiality, professional boundaries, and ethical workplace conduct.