State of Maryland

A Rehabilitation Center Houseparent III is the lead level of work overseeing an assigned dormitory area in the Maryland Rehabilitation Center.  The dormitory residents include clients who are physically handicapped, mentally ill, and developmentally handicapped.  Employees in this classification serve as acting Night Supervisor in the absence of the Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor I.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions but are responsible for assigning, reviewing and approving the work of and training lower-level Rehabilitation Center Houseparents.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor I or other designated personnel.  Employees may be assigned to day, evening or rotating shifts to include holidays and weekends, overtime and on-call duty.  Employees are required to observe infection control precautions in order to prevent contamination and the spread of disease.  Employees may be required to restrain clients displaying violent or aggressive behavior.  The work may require long periods of standing, walking, climbing stairs, bending, and reaching.  The work may require the lifting and positioning of non-ambulatory clients and the lifting of wheelchairs and other heavy equipment.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Rehabilitation Center Houseparent III is differentiated from the Rehabilitation Center Houseparent II in that the Houseparent III assigns, reviews and approves the work of and trains lower- level Rehabilitation Center Houseparents while the Rehabilitation Center Houseparent II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Assigns, reviews, and approves the work of lower-level Rehabilitation Center Houseparents;

Serves as Acting Night Supervisor with center wide responsibility on a rotating basis;

Participates in monthly meeting with Night Supervisor regarding issues such as scheduling problems and staff relationships;

Maintains the rules and regulations of the Maryland Rehabilitation Center dormitory in order to ensure an environment that is conducive for the clients’ rehabilitation;

Inspects dormitory area daily in order to ensure that health, safety, and sanitation standards are observed;

Monitors security of dormitory during residents’ weekend visits by collecting keys at clients’ departure and issuing keys upon clients’ return;

Surveys clients’ activities in order to ensure that there is no traffic in drugs or alcohol;

Prepares requisitions for repairs, replacement of furniture and equipment, and specialized housekeeping in order to maintain the dormitory area in the optimal condition;

Carries out the Maryland Rehabilitation Center’s safety procedures for emergency evacuation and containment of communicable diseases;

Provides input and makes recommendations at clients’ conferences on issues such as persistent behavioral problems or lack of progress in training;

Counsels clients informally regarding personal relationships with other residents and staff, living habits and appropriate behavior in a residential setting;

Recommends and places clients on restrictions for unacceptable behavior or continuous room infractions;

Makes reports of incidences or changes in clients’ behavior to the counseling department;

Prepares required reports at the end of each daily shift including the Night Supervisor Report when Acting Night Supervisor;

Maintains proper inventories of supplies;

Conducts periodic meetings with residents in order to discuss items such as fire evacuation procedures and other dormitory related issues;

Promotes clients’ participation in their rehabilitation by developing clients’ self-esteem and motivating clients to apply therapeutic measures;

Conducts tour of dormitory for potential residents and provides orientation of the Center’s rules and regulations to new admissions;

Implements changes in procedures and routine as approved and directed;

Attends in-service training programs in order to maintain a continual awareness of dormitory safety measures and the needs of the physically handicapped, mentally ill, and the developmentally handicapped population;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of symptoms and behavioral problems associated with physical or developmental handicaps or mental illness;

Knowledge of therapeutic techniques in client interaction;

Knowledge of dormitory living conditions;

Knowledge of simple health and safety precautions;

Knowledge of first aid methods;

Knowledge of English usage in report preparations;

Knowledge of the principles of group dynamics;

Skill in applying agency policies to daily work situations;

Skill in recognizing volatile problems and exercising sound judgment in order to maintain order in the dormitory;

Skill in the application of problem solving techniques;

Skill in organization and time management;

Ability to observe clients’ behavior;

Ability to maintain records and prepare reports;

Ability to provide guidance and direction to lower-level Rehabilitation Center Houseparents;

Ability to command the respect of dormitory residents and staff; Ability to apply interpersonal skills with clients and their families;

Ability to motivate clients to participate in therapeutic activities;

Ability to carry out emergency and routine procedures for the protection and safety of clients, staff and the public;

Ability to work harmoniously with others;

Ability to lift and position clients.

Education:   Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: Two years of experience as a houseparent overseeing an assigned dormitory area in a residential facility for clients who are physically handicapped, mentally ill, developmentally handicapped, or socially maladjusted.

Note: Candidates may substitute additional experience overseeing a dormitory in a rehabilitation facility on a year-for-year basis for up to four years of the required education.

1. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of an automobile. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland, and their driving records will be subject to investigation.

2. Employees in this classification will be required to successfully complete training and maintain current certification in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.

1. Candidates for positions in this classification may be given a medical examination and may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform the work required of the position prior to appointment.

2. Employees in this classification will be required to provide the facility with a telephone number where they can be reached.

3. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations 06.10.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies.  Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit D- Health and Human Service Nonprofessionals classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.