Resident Advisor

Resident Advisor- TH

PURPOSE OF POSITION

The Transitional Housing (TH) Resident Advisor (RA) provides supportive services to up to 20 young people aged 18-24 living in a TH site in the Bronx. Reporting to the Program Coordinator of the TH site, the RA is an energetic, creative, and diligent member of a team that includes case managers and a cadre of specialty staff including employment/education specialists, housing specialists, youth development staff, and credentialed mental health staff.

TH is a transitional living program funded by the NYC Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under CHNY's Joint Transitional Housing & Rapid Re-housing Program. A young adult can reside for up to 24 months in Transitional Housing and once they apply for TH they are also eligible to apply to the Rapid Rehousing program. The RA 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 TH: 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 TH site.

  • Ensures that the site, including youths' rooms, is clean and kept in good and safe condition.

  • Welcomes youth to the site and orientates 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 follow 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 them to appropriate parties.

  • De-escalates crises; attends to emergencies following agency protocol, as needed.

• Team Participation

  • Works as a collaborative member of the team ensuring all youth have access to high quality services and are living in a safe and compassionate community.

  • Participates in regular case conferences. Ensures team members are fully apprised of important information regarding youth as needed.

  • Actively participates in staff team meetings and trainings, individual supervision meetings, and meetings with youth.

  • Works closely with the Housing & Landlord engagement team.

  • Assists with audit preparation and dry and live audits of the program.

• Professional Development and Embracing CHNY's Mission

  • Participates in all required trainings, either in-person or via CHNY's online Learning Management System (Relias).

  • Actively participates in the training and implementation of evidence-based and other proven models.

  • Embraces a data-driven culture that is outcomes-oriented and creatively responsive to programmatic challenges.

  • Promotes a healthy, inclusive and equitable organizational culture and a thriving, engaged staff.

  • Promotes child protection within the site and is diligent about the safety of clients and fellow staff members.

  • Always upholds CHNY's mission, vision and principles, standards of conduct, policies and procedures.

  • Perform other duties as assigned and needed.

Management and Leadership

• Always upholds CHNYs mission, vision and principles, standards of conduct, policies and procedures.

• Performs other duties as assigned and needed.

SUPERVISORY DUTIES

• This position does not supervise any other position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Education & Experience

• High School/GED w/1 year of relevant work experience required. Bachelors Degree Preferred.

• Experience working with at-risk youth strongly preferred.

• Driver's license preferred. Comfortable with driving a 7-passenger van 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 is required.

• Overall flexibility in work schedule required, including weekends, evenings and holidays if needed. Adherence to attendance and punctuality requirements is a must.

• Dedicated to the mission of Covenant House.

INITIATIVE AND JUDGMENT/ATTENDANCE AND RELIABILITY

• Independently recognizes and performs duties that need to be done without being directly assigned.

• Establishes priorities; organizes work and time to meet them

• Recognizes and responds to emerging priorities, accepts changes and new ideas

• Has insight into problems and the ability to develop workable alternatives.

• Responds to supervision, coaching and constructive criticism in a positive manner.

• Adheres to attendance and punctuality requirements per policy. Provides proper notification for absences and tardiness. Takes corrective action to prevent recurring absences or tardiness.

• Observes all policies governing conduct while at work (e.g., telephone and computer use, electronic messaging, smoking regulations, breaks and other related policies).

• Ability to professionally communicate and relate well with all levels of personnel (individuals, peers, customers and related professionals).

• Dedicated to the mission of Covenant House.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/ PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• High concentration.

• Frequent interruptions.

• Moderate noise level.

• Frequent standing, walking, bending and lifting (up to 20 lbs.).

• Frequent sitting for periods of time at a computer workstation.