Resident Assistant

Position Summary: The primary goal of the Residential Assistant (RA) is to provide appropriate services and support to the Emergency Shelter residents, guests, and visitors. These services may include supportive listening, proving assistance with all shelter activities, and completing intakes. Position involves providing direct services to shelter residents, guests, and visitors and oversee the daily operations of the emergency shelter program. The position involves providing resources, de-escalation, scheduling transportation appointments, assisting new residents while moving in, assisting new residents departure, and ensuring the rooms are appropriately ready, clean and disinfected for the upcoming new residents. The Residential Assistant is responsible for providing excellent service to those accessing the service by applying the equivalent of active listening and providing support in the context of telephonic and face-to-face exchanges. The RA is patient, knowledgeable, empathetic and helpful.

Shifts for this position are:

• Monday - Friday 12:00am - 8:00am
• Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:00pm

Primary Responsibilities:

• Responds to shelter residents needs.
• Conducts weekly and regular room checks, provide notice to supervisor regarding residents regarding room status and follow up.
• Is available to provide support to shelter residents, guests, and visitors during the shift.
• Documents unusual incidents.
• Ensures that an end-of-shift email is sent to Director of Homeless Services and Shelter Group email to update on the events of the shift. Assures accurate completion of Shift Log
• Documents resident activities and issues for follow up in the shelter log
• Ensures that residents have needed supplies
• Performs regular security checks throughout the building
• Facilitates client carrying out their chores
• Complete intake for all new shelter residents
• Oversees client activities to ensure smooth shift
• Anticipates and when possible, proactively plans for guest needs or concerns
• Provides direct support services to shelter residents as needed
• Reconciles the petty cash at the beginning and end of the shift
• Ensures that the program meets all quality and quantity outcome metrics.
• Ability to work independently with confidence and display high level of professionalism.
• Consistently adheres to shelter program policies, procedures, and schedule based upon emergency shelter needs.
• Arrives to shift on time and properly attired.
• Must be mature, empathetic, flexible and adaptable to varying situations and coverage needs.
• Participates in a brief meeting at the beginning and end of the shift to review shift business including status of EOS, expected new residents, alerts, etc.
• Assures that the lobby, EOS room, and common areas are clean. If the EOS, lobby, or other common or shared areas are not clean, the RA will clean and disinfect the space.
• Assures that the shelter offices are properly stocked with copies of paperwork, linens, toiletries, etc. If supplies are running low, the RAs will restock the room.
• Responsible for ensuring that the Shelter office is in clean and organized condition for the incoming shift.
• Assist in training new Emergency Shelter staff.
• Complete trainings as required by Grassroots Crisis Intervention.
• Skilled in the use of technology including telephones, computers (PC), laptops, software and email.

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Accepts donations from the community, and place donations in dedicated spaces as applicable
• Participates on special committees as requested by the supervisor or Executive Director
• Assists with training and orientation of new staff
• Assists in the serving of meals and clean-up after meals as needed
• Participates on special committees as requested by the supervisor or Executive Director
• Other duties as assigned

Agency-wide Responsibilities:

• Brings enthusiasm for the Mission and work of Grassroots
• Reads 100% of all email communications and responds to emails in a timely manner prior or during their shifts.
• Participates in supervision, in-service training, and staff meetings
• Maintains good working relationships with co-workers and positively contributes to group morale.
• Completes time sheets, and leave requests, etc. on time.
• Uses appropriate channels of communication to resolve conflicts with other staff.
• Interacts with staff, clients, and walk-ins in a professional and courteous manner.

Education and Experience:

• AA degree and 1 year of experience in human services or related field preferred
• Possession of a valid driver's license required
• Knowledge of homelessness issues a plus
• CPR and First Aid required or must be obtained within 15 days of hire.

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to function successfully in an environment requiring immediate response to urgent situations.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Computer skills with various software and the internet.
• Ability to make sound judgments in crisis situations.
• Ability to work as a team member with other staff.
• Positive communication skills.
• Conflict resolution skills.
• Supportive counseling skills.

Work Conditions:

• Share office space with Residential Assistants, Shift Supervisor, Case Managers, etc.
• Holiday and Evening coverage. Depending on scheduled shifts.
• Hours are flexible to meet program needs.
• Must be able to lift 25lbs.

Supplemental Grassroots Rewards & Incentives:

• Grassroots offers to pay 100% of the expenses for its employees wishing to take advantage in the following areas:
• Licensure and/or Renewal (ex. Clinical, Nursing, Medical, etc. )
• CEUs
• Professional Trainings and/or Conferences
• Field Certifications
• Automatic wage increases for Certifications achieved while employed.
• $250 Hiring Bonus for full completion of Onboarding and HR trainings. w/stipulation that they are completed as scheduled by Grassroots.
• $500 Retention Bonus w/ stipulation that the employee is in positive standing and meets probation.
• Small Loan Option at 0% Interest for 1 year
• We do not offer Tuition Reimbursement. This is strictly funding available for professional development and/or training.

*All incentives and/rewards are subject to the employee meeting the required policies and procedures, including, but not limited to, agency's 3-month probationary period, performance metrics, and/or signed agreements prior to registration and authorization by Grassroots leadership*