Resident Assistant II

Los Angeles LGBT Center•Los Angeles, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

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 position works with a resident population that is currently or formerly experiencing homelessness and has high rates of health, mental health, and substance-related issues.

Requirements

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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Follow a framework of care goals and department protocols to ensure member and resident safety, provide crisis intervention and de-escalation using 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.
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.
Write reports of daily activities and irregularities, such as calls to emergency services, criminal activity such as property damage and theft, presence of unauthorized persons, or other unusual occurrences.
Participate in staff meetings, planning meetings and other meetings as needed.
Other duties as assigned.