JOB SCOPE: Residential Aides, abbreviated, RAs, play an essential role in the day-to-day functioning of a shelter. It can be said that RAs are the “face” of the facility as they are the first person that a client interacts with before getting acclimated. Moreover, RAs wear many hats. They are friendly faces who meet and greet clients and guests as they enter. They are mediators when it comes to deescalating situations or resolving tensive issues. They are also a provider, proffering necessities to clients during their stay. They assist with recreational activities and add an extra bit of fun and excitement to a client’s experience. Additionally, they are a messenger, informing Social Services of clients’ behaviors and activities in their absence. All in all, RAs are “the eyes and ears of the facility”—ensuring that clients are adhering to the rules and regulations as well as establishing a safe, chaos-free atmosphere. Residential Aides are the glue that holds the pieces of shelter together.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
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Distributes mail, appointment slips, and other documentation to clients.
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Obtain and provide a daily headcount.
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Process new client intake forms and gather required documentation.
- Ensure that only authorized personnel and visitors enter the property while maintaining a log of visitors entering and exiting the premises.
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Record all unusual incidents according to the established procedures.
- Conduct rounds constantly and consistently to guarantee the safety of the clients.
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Complete detailed incident reports via CARES or handwritten document.
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Ensure that clients are following the facility rules and regulations as well as procedures and policies outlined by BXFN and other city agencies.
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Maintain an inventory and keeps log of clients’ belongings by tagging the item(s) with clients’ name and bed/unit number
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Provide clients with necessities.
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Verify and escort clients to Social Services appointments.
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Assist Social Services with room inspections.
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Organize and distribute clients’ mail.
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Assist in cafeteria duties such as distribution of meals served to clients: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
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Assist with moving and building beds and cribs (if needed) for clients.
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Assist Recreational staff in the execution of recreational activities, events, and outings.
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Works collaboratively with Director of Operations (DO), Director of Social Services (DSS), and Program Director (PD) to provide crisis intervention in an emergency.
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Perform other duties as assigned by Residential Aide Supervisor or other supervisory staff (including PD and DO).
ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
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Ability to work in an emotionally taxing field—a positive attitude and sense of humor are essential.
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Excellent interpersonal skills and a commitment to helping others.
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Ability to treat residents and colleagues with respect and create a warm, supportive environment.
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Ability to respond to changing situations quickly and adjust activities.
QUALIFICATIONS:
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High School Diploma or GED required.
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Excellent verbal, written communication skills as well as listening skills.
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Experience working with culturally diverse groups including, but not limited to the homelessness, persons struggling with substance abuse, mental health issues, and LGBTQ community.
- Must be flexible in terms of schedule as they are required to work weekends and holidays.
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Competency and comfort using Word processing, spreadsheet (Excel), Microsoft Outlook, Adobe Reader, online file storage, online collaboration platforms, and operational management software.
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Must be able to multi-task, prioritize, and work independently as well as part of a team.
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Reliability, punctuality, and commitment to safety, hospitality, and professionalism.
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Bilingual in Spanish is a plus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
This role operates both indoors and outdoors, which may include responsibilities for exterior cleaning and seasonal maintenance (i.e., snow removal, trash pickup).
WORK RELATIONS AND TEAMWORK:
This role operates in a shelter or multi-site setting and requires frequent on-site presence. It also occurs in an office setting up in a shared and open workspace. Use of standard tools such as phones, fax machines, copiers, computers, and other equipment is essential.
Physical Demands:
The Americans with Disability Act prohibits discrimination against a qualified individual with a disability. To be qualified for this position an individual must meet the following standards and/or be able to perform the essential functions and activities.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions for this job. While performing the duties of this job, the physical activities for this position involve:
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Use of PPE and adhere to safety protocols as required.
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Ability to lift, grasp, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds.
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Must be able to stand, walk, sit, sort, talk, hear, and see, stoop, bend, squat, bend, kneel, grasp, put fingers together firmly and reach above and below shoulder level and lift.
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Ability to climb stairs while carrying objects up to 25 pounds in weight.
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Repetitively use hands to operate equipment.
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Flex the neck upward and downward; twist the neck and the waist.
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May be subject to standing/sitting for long periods of time.
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Vision adequate to observe video surveillance, read correspondence, computer screens, forms, etc.
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Speaking and hearing ability sufficient to communicate effectively by phone or in person at normal volumes.
Client Focus:
Services and activities provided support the physical, emotional, intellectual, and practical needs of residents. Adjust priorities to respond to emergency situations. Keep relevant staff and supervisors informed of resident activities or building related issues that require immediate attention.
OTHER DUTIES:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that may require of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time.
Compliance and Employment Statement:
BXFN is an equal opportunity employer. This job description is not a contract and may be modified at the organization’s discretion.
