Resident Assistant II

Program: Youth Housing | Department: Youth Services | Reports to: Residential Supervisor

About the Role

The Resident Assistant II provides direct oversight and care to Youth Center members and residents. This position is responsible for being an after-hours presence for LGBTQ+ sheltered youth at the Center’s emergency overnight and transitional living programs. This role works with a resident population that is currently or formerly experiencing homelessness and has high rates of health, mental health, and substance-related issues.

Responsibilities

• Follow a framework of care goals and department protocols to ensure member and resident safety, provide crisis intervention and de-escalation along a spectrum of intervention techniques.
• Implement philosophy-of-care, house rules, including housing-first, harm-reduction, and trauma-informed care principles.
• Provide a welcoming presence onsite for members and residents to engage with by answering questions and providing information.
• Monitor resident access, including appropriate entry and departure, and oversee residential spaces to safeguard resident care.
• Assist with the mediation of conflicts that arise and attempt to de-escalate residents who are exhibiting behavior that is anxious/aggressive or may be violating house rules.
• Assist with the assessment of residents experiencing severe mental health symptoms and contact Psychiatric Medical Response Team (PMRT) if a resident exhibits behavior that is harmful to self or others.
• Contact emergency services (e.g. police, ambulance, fire department, PMRT) in cases of emergency, such as a health or mental health crisis, fire, or presence of unauthorized persons.
• Assist with the coordination of case management, housing, and other onsite service staff on behalf of residents that need after-hours monitoring, follow-up, or assistance.
• Gain understanding of resident-specific personal and medical needs to best support residents and create appropriate relationships which promote the resident’s case plan.
• In partnership with the residential team, support case plan goals through regular communication, housing search, and referrals for education, employment, and physical and mental health resources.
• Plan and facilitate onsite programming, events, and social activities for member/resident engagement utilizing a Positive Youth Development framework.

Operational Support

• Establish and maintain the upkeep and cleanliness of the youth center and residential program and assist residents with maintaining the cleanliness of their living spaces.
• Follow alarm procedures and address disturbances in a safe manner, calling proper authorities if necessary.
• Follow communication protocols to inform appropriate Center staff/departments regarding emergency issues, including after-hours Facilities maintenance.
• Write reports of daily activities and irregularities, such as calls to emergency services, criminal activity, property damage, theft, presence of unauthorized persons, or other unusual occurrences.
• Assist with the coordination of onsite evening/weekend events and social activities for member/resident engagement.
• Participate in staff meetings, planning meetings, and other meetings as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Knowledge of or experience working with the LGBTQ community and familiarity with issues of particular relevance to LGBTQ people.
• A passion for the Center’s work and its mission to make the world a better place for LGBTQ people.
• Knowledge of and sensitive to the issues affecting LGBTQ youth, particularly those who have experienced homelessness, are at-risk, and/or may have substance abuse and mental health issues.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse races, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expression, socio-economic backgrounds, religions, ages, English-speaking abilities, immigration status, and physical abilities in a multicultural environment.
• Trained in motivational interviewing, crisis intervention, and mental health first aid preferred, but training within first 6 months of employment can be provided, if necessary.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in related field, specifically working with youth experiencing homelessness/housing instability, foster youth, and/or mental illness, low-income, or individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Ability to implement housing-first, harm-reduction, trauma-informed care principles.
• Experience with substance abuse case management and crisis intervention.
• Effective problem-solving skills and ability to multi-task.
• Self-motivated, energetic, flexible, and the ability to work in a team environment.
• Good verbal and written communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills with a high level of attention to detail.
• Computer skills including MS Office and Teams, as well as general knowledge of other software systems.
• Access to reliable transportation.
• Ability and willingness to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call hours.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual skills (English/Spanish fluency, ASL a plus).

Pay

$22.00-$27.71 per hour, plus $1.75 per hour Shift Differential Premium for hours worked between 6pm-6am.

Schedule

Tuesday - Saturday 3:00pm -11:30pm | 90-day probation period.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403(b) Retirement Plan