Programs Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY

The Programs Assistant provides trauma-informed, relationship-based behavioral and practical support to children and House Parents within Seamark Ranch’s residential program, primarily during the afternoon and evening hours when children transition from school and Ranch programming into home routines. The Assistant helps children build emotional regulation, communication, and conflict-resolution skills while strengthening House Parents’ capacity as the children’s primary caregivers, and provides hands-on support with childcare, transportation, meals, homework, and household routines, including temporary coverage when House Parents are attending meetings, training, or other approved responsibilities. The Assistant also assists 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 within children’s daily environment. The Assistant serves as an additional source of stability within the Residential Program while House Parents retain primary responsibility and authority within the home.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Behavioral and Relational Support.

• 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 skills, 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 clear professional and relational boundaries, encouraging increasing independence and responsibility over time.

House Parent Support.

• Work alongside House Parents during challenging situations, modeling co-regulation, de-escalation, and healthy communication, while supporting consistency between House Parents, Programs, and Clinical recommendations.
• Provide practical assistance and additional childcare during demanding parts of the day (after-school transitions, homework, meals, bedtime) 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 to House Parents in a way that supports their primary authority in the home.

Direct Care, Transportation, and Program Support.

• Provide direct supervision and care for assigned children, maintaining required supervision ratios and a safe, predictable, respectful residential environment.
• Safely transport children in Seamark-approved vehicles, following all 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.

Crisis Prevention, Safety, and Documentation.

• Recognize early signs of dysregulation and intervene using Seamark-approved relational and de-escalation strategies, remaining calm and attentive during challenging situations.
• Escalate situations beyond the role’s scope to Residential leadership, Clinical, medical personnel, or emergency services, and immediately report concerns involving safety, self-harm, suicidal ideation, abuse or neglect, or elopement risk per Seamark 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.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs other duties as assigned.

ROLE BOUNDARIES

• Does not provide psychotherapy, diagnose mental health conditions, or independently create or modify clinical treatment plans.
• Does not replace required House Parent staffing or the House Parent's primary authority in the home; temporary childcare coverage should not become routine substitute staffing.
• Maintains appropriate boundaries regarding personal communication, transportation, gifts, social media, and relationships with children and families in accordance with Seamark policy.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Open to candidates living on-Ranch or off-Ranch.
• 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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 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.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Emotional maturity, sound judgment, and self-regulation under pressure.
• Ability to balance nurture, structure, and accountability with compassion.
• Respect for House Parents and an understanding of the importance of preserving healthy authority structures within residential homes.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

This position is active and residential in nature and may include indoor and outdoor activities in varying weather conditions.

• Ability to actively supervise children, walk throughout the Ranch, and participate in recreational and community activities.
• Ability to respond appropriately to emotionally intense or physically active situations while maintaining sound judgment and supervision.

MISSION AND CULTURE ALIGNMENT

Seamark Ranch is a Christ-centered organization. The Programs Assistant contributes to an environment in which children are known, loved, appropriately challenged, and given opportunities for restoration and growth. Employees must be comfortable working in an environment where Christian faith and values are integrated into daily operations and care, support the organization's mission, and model integrity, compassion, and healthy relationships in interactions with children, families, House Parents, coworkers, and community partners.

BACKGROUND AND SCREENING REQUIREMENTS

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of all required background screenings, drug testing, and any licensing or regulatory requirements applicable to the position.

DISCLAIMER

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required. Responsibilities may change or be assigned at any time based on organizational needs.