Join Our Mission

The Direct Support Professional/DSP provides direct supervision of children in care, and maintain line-of-sight at all times.

Goal of our Sheltered Hearts Program

Our goal is to provide safe and timely reunification for a child and their family or suitable sponsor.

In partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services, the Sheltered Hearts Program provides family reunification and short-term shelter for children who have entered the United States without a guardian. Children reside in our family-style cottage located on our 2,000-acre campus while our bilingual staff provide a safe and nurturing environment for children.

Job Responsibilities

• Responsible for direct supervision and engagement of youth including supervision of youth, knowledge of where youth are at all times, ensuring youth are safe, monitoring and overseeing behaviors and ensuring youth stay on task. Responsible for searching, engaging and redirecting youth when youth is out of program.
• Provides fair, consistent and positive reinforcement for acceptable behaviors based on current ICMP. Utilizes approved supervision and behavior management strategies as appropriate including approved methods of physical intervention.
• Responsible for maintaining consistent supportive and therapeutic environment which is conducive to facilitating treatment goals. Participates in treatment team process per protocol and contributes to formulation of short and long-range recreation goals for youth.
• Implements daily schedule including program routines, group, instructing and supervising youth in personal hygiene, housekeeping skills, room cleaning, organization, cottage cleanliness and assists with homework. Assists assigned residents with specified tasks.
• Participates in planning meals and ensuring youth involvement during meal time.
• Properly employs protocols and procedures including reviewing logs and communications daily, providing accurate and timely documentation and ensuring ratios are met as required by agency and regulatory bodies. Remains on duty until properly relieved.
• Responsible for all transportation as assigned including transporting youth to and from school, dining hall, and off ground trips. Responsible to search youth returning from off ground trips when necessary.

Job Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent degree
• Employment experience in the child welfare field working with children and/or adolescents in a social service setting, preferred.
• Ability to converse in English and Spanish.
• Varicella Vaccine required OR titers indicating varicella immunity OR documentation from a healthcare provider verifying previous infection.
• MMR (Measles Mumps & Rubella vaccine required OR titers indicating immunity to all three diseases.
• Tdap (Tetanus-diptheria-pertussis) vaccine required.
• Influenza vaccine required, one dose annually during flu season.
• Physical (Medical Exam) required.
• Must be able to work 9AM-5PM during new hire orientation to complete TCI(Therapeutic Crisis Intervention), CPR and Sanctuary training. Must maintain TCI and CPR certification.
• Required to be 21 years or older.
• Must have a current, valid driver's license per Agency guidelines. Travel required.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, outside of normal business hours including nights, weekends and on-call, as needed.
• Ability to work with an economically and culturally diverse population

Equal Opportunity Employer

Berkshire Farm Center & Services for Youth is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability, marital status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and accessible environment where diversity is valued and recognized as a source of strength and enrichment. We seek to attract talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures.

As a federal contractor, Berkshire Farm Center & Services for Youth will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)