Status: NON-EXEMPT 
AVAILABLE SCHEDULES: Weekend Shifts Saturday & Sunday 7am-3pm and 3pm-11pm
REPORTS TO: Residential Manager

The Residential Assistant is essential to the operations of our congregate shelter programs. As a member of the Service Delivery Team, the Residential Assistant ensures the overall safety, security and well-being of the families in residence. Under the direction of the Residential Manager, the Residential Assistant works on the development, implementation, oversight and monitoring of each family’s individualized Re-Housing Plan. The Residential Assistant ensures that the Hildebrand congregate site is a “Welcoming Shelter” and represents the public face of the Hildebrand at whatever facility he/she is assigned to work.

RESPONSIBILITIES
SUPPORTING CLIENT SELF-SUFFICIENCY and RE-HOUSING PLAN GOALS:

• Support the Case Management Service Delivery Team in developing and implementing supportive, respectful and comprehensive Re-Housing Plan activities to assist families in moving out of shelter as quickly as possible and in attaining and retaining their independence, dignity and self-sufficiency, i.e. job search, resume building, housing applications, etc.
• Ensure that clients meet their individual Re-Housing Plan service goals by interacting with resident families in a supportive and empathic manner and assisting families in areas where they might be having difficulty regarding the goals set out by themselves and the Residential Manager
• Engage in unconditional positive regard where you offer respect, dignity and warmth to the clients no matter what emotions or behaviors he/she may be exhibiting in order to build a therapeutic rapport with residents and create clear lines of communication that show residents you are there to support and encourage them
• Constantly identify teaching moments and engage in life-skills instruction for clients, for example showing clients how to properly clean or maintain a residence, etc. This will help empower residents and support self-sufficiency in order to promote successful tenancy and provide encouragement toward positive change. At times this will also include written reprimands when the resident is not following agency or funder rules and regulations
• Serve as the first level of response in a crisis situation by providing crisis intervention which may include: de-escalation of resident; utilizing appropriate protocols and procedures for residents who may display behavior that is aggressive, combative or hostile, and/or refuse to follow established program protocols and policies; responding to emergency calls; reporting instances of neglect or abuse to the appropriate authorities; and use of On-Call Administrator and local authorities when necessary
• Ensure that all residential activities are documented in a timely and thorough manner and ensure that client confidentiality is protected
• Accurately use appropriate reporting tools and channels for administering and writing house violations, infractions, and incident reports when necessary

ENSURING SAFETY AND PROGRAM COMPLIANCE:

• Promote and model a clean, harmonious, and welcoming living environment, supporting the overall safety and well-being of the families in residence at the Hildebrand congregate shelter
• Respect professional and personal boundaries when working with families and encourage families to respect boundaries with all staff and residents
• Ensure that each family has a safe, clean and adequately furnished room
• Thoroughly clean and prepare resident rooms for turnover (cleaning beds, furniture, floors, wiping walls, etc.).
• Oversee the cleanliness and orderliness of the facility during the assigned work period to include conducting 30 minute checks throughout each shift, room cleanliness and chore completion as well as maintaining the office area
• Oversee and monitor all of the rules, policies, procedures and protocols that govern community living for both families and their visitors. Ensure program is in compliance with all policies, procedures, statutory & regulatory requirements of Hildebrand and its funders
• Monitor residents’ schedules, including, but not limited to: keeping a resident and visitor sign in/out log, maintaining notes regarding significant events and the family’s level of participation and completing other related forms and reports as required by Hildebrand and its funders
• Provide proper security for the agency’s property and material supplies
• Identify supply needs and restock supplies or request program and/or facility supplies as needed. This information can be reported to the Residential Manager during working hours or the On-Call Facilities team if after hours and only in case of emergency.
• Communicate verbally and through written log documentation, fax and/or email with peers, supervisors, and other team members to provide program and shift updates
• Identify issues related to program operations and be an active part of day-to-day programmatic administration. Report any identified issues to the Residential Manager through email or in person
• Ensure safety of all residents by properly documenting any incidents and notifying authorities and supervisors whenever appropriate, as deemed by the Hildebrand policies and procedures.

GENERAL:

• Participate in staff meetings, training programs, and other activities as required to keep up to date on program function and required skills for the job
• Serve as an ambassador/representative of the Hildebrand in communication with all members of the Case Management Service Delivery Team and the funders
• Support the program and the agency by following the rules, regulations, and systems of order that have been established to effectively meet both agency and residents’ goals
• Perform routine clerical tasks including, but not limited to: answering telephones, taking and distributing messages, handling mail, photocopying, filing, delivering materials between locations, and other assigned tasks necessary to maintaining the office space and functions.
• Maintain an environment that fosters communication and collaboration and allows for staff and families to feel safe in their environment
• Complete intake and exit assessments

REQUIREMENTS (Essential Job Functions):

• Some college. Experience in Human Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, Counseling, Social Work or relevant area may be substituted.
• Demonstrated ability to ensure client confidentiality and professionalism in the work place
• Verbal and written fluency in English
• Workplace computer skills, including but not limited to: use of Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, etc), g-mail, and Windows
• Prior experience working with low-income individuals and families experiencing homelessness
• Compassion for the populations we serve
• Ability to work well on an individual level with clients, family members, and colleagues
• Commitment to helping families feel empowered
• Must have very strong interpersonal and organizational skills
• Able to handle multiple tasks in a home-like atmosphere and work effectively with individuals from a wide range of ethnic and social backgrounds
• Will take initiative and able to exercise sound judgment when working independently
• Able to lift up to 25 pounds
• Must be physically able to navigate several flights of stairs independently every 30 minutes
• Must be physically able to move around, clean rooms, and demonstrate cleaning to others
• Must become CPR/FirstAid Certified within 30 days of start date

PREFERRED:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Prior experience working in residential programs
• Bilingual in Spanish or Haitian Creole