MSD Residential Child & Youth Care Practitioner; Contractual Position

Introduction

Anticipated openings for the  School Year. The Maryland School for the Deaf (MSD) is a diverse, bilingual community that partners with families to provide an equitable and exemplary education in a nurturing, engaging, and challenging environment, ensuring students achieve personal excellence and become lifelong learners. We are looking for dedicated individuals to join us in educating the children at MSD.

MSD, Frederick Campus, 101 Clarke Place, Frederick, MD 21705

A Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioner (RCYCP) at MSD provides guidance to deaf and hard‑of‑hearing students by serving as a mentor and role model, offering everyday life‑skill advice, and referring students to other staff as needed. Employees work under general supervision from an RCYCP Supervisor, School for the Deaf, or a designated administrator, and may be required to work evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and travel to events such as field trips, workshops, and recreational activities.

• Maintain a safe environment and ensure student safety at all times.
• Possess responsibility for students at all times.
• Make contact with parents/guardians and teachers at least once a week or as required by supervisor.
• Inform parents of student development through telephone calls, letters, and meetings with the Parent, Teacher, and Counselor.
• Interact with students to offer guidance, discuss their problems, and serve as a mentor and role model for assimilation into deaf culture.
• Teach and assist students in complying with daily and weekly schedules for homework, sleeping, eating, cleanliness of living areas, and personal hygiene.
• Document, report, and review student concerns with the RCYCP Supervisor.
• Assess emergency and crisis situations, make appropriate contacts and referrals, and provide interim emergency medical and other assistance until specialized assistance is available.
• Develop, implement, and monitor student activities.
• Maintain weekly reviews of students’ progress and developments in the dorm with the team.
• May participate in the development of educational programs and workshops.
• May supplement classroom instruction by tutoring students in academic subjects.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of students and school personnel information.
• Participate in appropriate professional development.
• May make periodic safety checks of doors and windows of student residences.
• Provide support while traveling to and from events such as extracurricular activities, workshops, and field trips.
• Employees may be subject to call‑in based on staffing needs.
• Perform direct care responsibilities related to daily living, self‑help, and socialization skills in a residential child care program.
• Perform other related duties.

• 21 years old with graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
• At least 18 years old with possession of an Associate of Arts degree or a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• One year of experience providing guidance to deaf and hard‑of‑hearing youth and assisting them with everyday life skills in a student life setting.
• Candidates may substitute additional education from an accredited college or university at the rate of sixty credit hours for the required experience.
• Fluency in American Sign Language is required.

• Knowledge of the physical, emotional, and social aspects of deafness.
• Understanding of legal and ethical issues in residential care.
• Post‑secondary training in counseling, child development, or education.
• Experience at a residential school for the deaf or another residential childcare facility.
• Experience teaching and caring for children and youth with and
• Possession of Maryland medication administration or equivalent certification.
• Ability to learn emergency medical procedures.
• Ability to maintain a dormitory environment conducive to positive student development.
• Ability to work harmoniously with students and other employees.
• Hold or obtain a valid driver’s license.

• Employees in this classification will be…