Resident Support Specialist

YWCA WHITE PLAINS AND CENTRAL WESTCHESTER • City of White Plains, NY

3d • $22 - $24 • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking compassionate, dependable, and safety-focused Residential Support Specialists to support residents and help maintain a safe, welcoming, and trauma-informed residential environment. The Resident Support Specialist supports the day-to-day operations of a dual-site residential facility serving a transitional program for justice-involved women in recovery and women in permanent supportive housing. This role combines front desk responsibilities, resident support, safety monitoring, and crisis de-escalation. The Resident Aide is a key member of the team, fostering a trauma-informed, safe, and supportive environment for all residents and visitors. A valid Security Officer License is required for this position.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Ability to remain calm in high-stress situations and de-escalate conflicts effectively.
• Excellent interpersonal and cultural competency skills.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
• Strong crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and communication skills.
• Valid Security Officer License (NYS) required.
• CPR/First Aid certification required.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience in residential, recovery, mental health, or justice-involved populations strongly preferred.
• Bilingual preferred (but not required).
• Strong documentation and electronic health record skills.
• Good organizational, time management, and communication skills, verbal and written.
• Good at assessment, SMART goal development, advocacy, and solution focused problem solving.
• Knowledge of counseling and social service resources in Westchester County.
• Knowledge of strengths-based approaches, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and housing-first models.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative team.
• Culturally responsive communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to adjust to changing circumstances, whether related to the needs of the residents or program.

Responsibilities

• Greet and assist residents and visitors at the front desk to ensure a welcoming and supportive environment.
• Maintain front desk logs (e.g. visitor logs, Awakenings sign-in log).
• Document and route all resident grievances to the supervisor within 24 hours of receipt.
• Sort, distribute ang log all incoming mail and packages accurately and in a timely manner, ensuring residents receive their deliveries safely and confidentially.
• Provide oversight of food donation deliveries and distribution to residents.
• Conduct wellness checks for residents as needed.
• Ensure the front desk and lobby remain secure and that building entry protocols are followed.
• Investigate source of alarms.
• Complete incident reports for all notable safety concerns, disturbances, or medical/psychiatric issues.
• Conduct 3 safety walkthroughs per shift of all residence floors and shared spaces to monitor for safety, cleanliness, and policy compliance.
• Maintain daily walk-through checklist.
• Promptly flag and report emerging risks (e.g., facility issues, safety concerns, or resident needs) to operations within 24 hours of observation.
• Complete crisis de-escalation and trauma-informed care training within 60 days of hire.
• Respond calmly and supportively to resident concerns and mental health episodes, alerting appropriate personnel as needed.
• Independently de-escalate 90% of minor resident conflicts and crises, utilizing trauma-informed care and de-escalation techniques, without needing case management or operations intervention.
• Attend bi-weekly team meetings to provide updates and raise any resident or operational concerns.
• Participate in shift handovers to ensure continuity of care and support.
• Maintain open and professional communication with property management, case managers, and clinical staff.

Benefits

• Overnight Differential: Employees regularly scheduled to work the 12:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. shift are eligible for an overnight shift differential in addition to their regular compensation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED