Lead Residential Care Specialist (3:00 PM - 11:00 PM) - Jackson, MS

Founded in 1912 as an adoption agency, Canopy Children's Solutions is Mississippi’s most comprehensive nonprofit provider of children’s behavioral health, educational, and family support solutions. Canopy employs a diverse group of mission-driven individuals committed to honoring the voice of Mississippi children and families. Being an integral part of the Canopy team involves committing to the Core Values that drive our organization forward:

• The voice of our children and families always comes first
• Relationships matter and our differences make us stronger
• We take great joy in service to others
• Our families and our communities deserve our very best

Canopy has been recognized as a Great Place to Work® for the fifth consecutive year and is one of only nine companies in Mississippi to earn this certification for 2025–2026. At Canopy, employees are committed to fostering a healthy workplace culture built on trust and driven by a shared mission: helping children thrive and empowering families to overcome extraordinary challenges.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for all eligible full-time employees. Benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Competitive Compensation
• 403b Retirement Plan with Match
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• PTO/Vacation
• Employee Wellness Program and Counseling Services

Lead Residential Care Specialist - Position Overview:

• The Lead Residential Care Specialist (Lead RCS) provides a therapeutic environment for youth in the CARES Center program through direct supervision of Residential Care Specialists and youth on assigned shifts daily.
• This position balances supervisory duties with direct care duties simultaneously, and works closely with the CARES team to ensure the mission is carried out.
• Lead RCS works closely with the Residential Life Coordinator to ensure that all scheduling, payroll, and disciplinary needs are cared for.
• Lead RCS also works closely with the Residential Training Coordinator to ensure all training and onboarding of RCS's is carried out appropriately.
• Lead RCS ensures continuity of care across units for the duration of assigned shift.
• Lead RCS is responsible for all supervision of direct reports.
• He/she is actively engaged with the youth in therapeutic activities through the use of relational supervision, planning and facilitation of therapeutic recreation activities, and participation in clinical meetings. 
• Lead RCS assists RCS's in teaching coping, communication, and pro-social skills according to the individualized behavior plans.
• The Lead RCS serves as an adult role model who positively contributes to a culture of ideal team players.

Job Responsibilities:

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Assigning RCS's to a unit for the shift.
• Coaching RCS's involved in significant milieu disruptions or emergency safety interventions on preventative measures in accordance with Managing Aggressive Behavior.
• Provide on-the-job training for all new hires in their first week on the unit.
• Provide as needed feedback for RCS's.
• Lead staff debriefs after significant events as needed in conjunction with the Residential Training Coordinator.
• Lead all pre-shift "pass down" meetings to ensure proper transfer of information necessary for a safe and therapeutic shift in coordination with fellow Lead RCS's.
• Provide all relevant information to fellow Lead RCS's on upcoming shifts prior to the "pass down" meetings to ensure proper continuity of care on each shift.
• Attend all Child and Family Team meetings and clinical communities on a rotating basis with other Lead RCS's or provide notes when no Lead RCS is able to attend that week to the Care Support Specialists and Nurse Practitioners.
• Notify Residential Life Coordinator of any administrative issues that arise on the shift.
• Notify Residential Training Coordinator of any training issues that arise with RCS I's.
• Approve all temporary timesheets for RCS's assigned to them.
• Assist Residential Training Coordinator to ensure all assigned RCS's are in compliance with HR and Training standards.
• Document weekly supervision, annual reviews, and as needed disciplinary actions for assigned RCS's.

Direct Care Responsibilities

• Teach youth activities of daily living, social skills, conflict resolution, how to effectively problem solve and independent living skills.
• Create opportunities to learn and practice skills mentioned above through experiential activities and games, including proper debriefing.
• Assure appropriate implementation of therapeutic systems, implementing consequences and assigning restorative tasks as appropriate. 
• Assist with admissions on a rotating basis with other Lead RCS's, including but not limited to checking in belongings, assisting with initial orientation of the youth to the campus/school, and escorting the youth to their assigned location.
• Observe and engage with youth so as to prevent and pro-actively de-escalate out of control behavior daily.
• Make Supervisors, Clinical and Administrative Staff aware of any anticipated problems with youth.
• Provide transportation for youth, as needed, in an agency vehicle in a safe and responsible manner.
• Respond appropriately to youths’ acting out behavior utilizing safe physical intervention in accordance to MAB curriculum when necessary.
• Ensure that a debrief with youth after each emergency safety intervention (ESI) occurs.
• Assure the safety of the facility and youth by reporting environment of care concerns/problems to supervisor.
• Participate in scheduled training opportunities to meet and maintain the specific staff training requirements of licensing and accrediting agencies.
• Complete proper documentation and forms for Incidents, Precautions and all other required documentation.
• When working overnight shifts, complete necessary paperwork on a rotating basis, including but not limited to shift reports, behavior sheets, and roster reports.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Prior experience working with children and adolescents required.
• Experience at CARES preferred.
• Some college preferred.
• Previous supervisory or leadership experience preferred.
• Excellent communication skills required.
• Must be at least twenty-one (21) years old and possess a valid driver’s license and the ability to be covered by agency insurance provider. 
• Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English, and to communicate in a therapeutic and professional manner.