Resident Advisor

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Overnight Resident Advisor supports all aspects of the program, and assists youth living at the site holistically, providing support and motivating encouragement wherever needed. RAs are also responsible for cooking meals for up to 20 youth, at times with other staff and/or youth, or on their own. RAs will be provided assistance in obtaining food handling licenses and other culinary training if needed. RAs also assist with keeping the site clean and well-maintained, including working with youth and other staff to manage garbage and day-to-day cleaning of all areas of the site. These sites will also use evidence-based and other proven models. RAs will be expected to participate in training and implementation activities for these social service models. Ultimately, RAs assist youth to achieve the goals of ROP: stabilize and address any immediate trauma experienced by the youth in our care, maintain housing stability, and assist the youth in advancing towards their individualized goals including a long-term housing plan, while ensuring the site is well-maintained.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(Responsibilities to include but not limited to the following)

• Youth Engagement and Program Support
  • Directly engages, supervises, and supports youth residing at the Mother/Child site.
  • Ensures that the site, including youths' rooms, is clean and kept in a good and safe condition.
  • Welcomes youth to the site and orients youth to site expectations, CHNY's mission and principles, and child protection policies and protocols.
  • Assists youth with preparation for the day. Ensures youth are awake and out of bed, fed, and on their way to work, school, or other activities in a timely manner.
  • Monitor program and client activities to ensure a safe and secure environment.
  • Cooks, or assists in the cooking, of meals for the youth. Engages with youth during mealtimes and works with youth to facilitate post-meal clean up.
  • Assists in keeping the site clean and well-maintained by participating in daily tidying up and facilitating the work of facilities and maintenance staff.
  • Provides support to Case Managers as needed, including distributing appointment slips, appointment follows up, collection and filing of paperwork, file maintenance, and file compliance.
  • Maintains records in the Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) computer system, and enters all required documentation timely.
  • Escorts youth to other agencies and services when necessary (e.g., hospitals, school visits)
  • Maintains healthy, supportive relationships with the youth, mindful of boundaries, and mutual respect.
  • Leads and/or participates in recreational and holiday activities at the site and off-site trips.
  • Completes incident reports by the end of the shift, and submit to appropriate parties.
  • De-escalates crises; attend to emergencies following agency protocol, as needed.
  • Perform other duties as assigned and needed.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Education & Experience

• High School/GED w/ 1 or year of relevant work experience required. Bachelors Degree Preferred.
• Experience working with at-risk youth strongly preferred.
• Drivers license preferred.
• Comfortability driving a 7-passenger van a plus.

Knowledge/Skills

• Interest in working with youth who have experienced homelessness required.
• Strong multi-tasking skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects at once required.
• Responds to supervision and coaching in a positive manner required.
• Excellent verbal, written, and problem-solving abilities; willing and able to move throughout the day; and an upbeat, creative, and fun demeanor required.
• A strong focus on child protection and ensuring the safety of residents required.
• Overall flexibility in the work schedule required, including weekends, evenings, and holidays if needed. Adherence to attendance and punctuality requirements a must.
• Dedicated to the mission of Covenant House.