Residential Advocate

Friendship Place • Washington, DC

4d • $18 - $20 • Onsite

About The Position

The Residential Advocate at Friendship Place ensures resident and building safety, security, and optimal operations. As a Residential Advocate, you will warmly greet residents and help maintain a safe, secure building. This role involves conducting resident wellness checks, monitoring building activities and operations, and, from time to time, assisting residents with needed items available for their use. The Advocate role is part of the La Casa Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) team. The PSH program follows the Housing First model and philosophy, applying best practices and comprehensive case management to ensure resident success. The program provides on-site services to 40 previously chronically homeless single males. The new apartment building consists of seven floors, with 40 studio-sized units that contain a private kitchen and bath

Requirements

• High School Diploma/GED Required
• 3 years of general work experience, including one year of experience in direct human service
• Must have or be able to obtain a First Aid/CPR/AED certification that includes a hands-on skills testing module.
• Friendship Place will provide First Aid/CPR/AED training
• Excellent time management, detail-oriented, organized, capable of maintaining confidentiality, and able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Must possess and be able to demonstrate strong intra- and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to effectively express ideas, needs, and observations both verbally and in writing. This includes the ability to communicate clearly and respectfully with clients, colleagues, and supervisors, as well as to document interactions and incidents accurately, professionally, and in a timely manner.
• Must be able to demonstrate active listening, emotional awareness, and the ability to adapt their communication style to different individuals and situations.
• Ability to work well under pressure and as part of a diverse team
• Demonstrates professionalism across all levels of the organization
• Strong commitment to the organization’s mission, vision, and values
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word; ability to learn database programs
• Ability to maintain healthy and professional boundaries
• Must be able to arrive to work and scheduled meetings on time
• Strong commitment to mission, including racial equity and social justice
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, supervision, and actively seek out professional development opportunities
• Maintain compliance in all assigned mandatory training and background clearances
• Must have a valid government-issued ID and reliable transportation to and from work.
• This position is designated as 'essential' and may require the employee to report to work, or remain at work, during inclement weather, natural disasters, or other emergencies, even if the organization is closed to other staff.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s Degree Preferred
• Bilingual in Spanish is a plus
• Experience working with individuals with mental health concerns or addiction preferred

Responsibilities

• Warmly greet and direct residents and building guests at the front desk of this Permanent Supportive Housing program for 40 single men.
• Monitor security cameras in the building and ensure staff/participant/building safety by appropriately responding to any security issues that may arise.
• Become familiar with the Housing First Model, HSRA, and HIPAA to inform job duties and program philosophy.
• Develop rapport with each resident through routine contact and communication.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of residents by providing routine wellness checks.
• Monitor residents’ medical and psychiatric needs while reporting any concerns to the case management team, case manager supervisor, and division director in a timely manner.
• Provide crisis intervention as needed, and contact emergency response teams, including Mobile Crisis, MPD, the fire department, and paramedics, when necessary.
• Complete incident reporting when necessary and communicate any incidents, allegations, security breaches, or sensitive situations to case managers and the Division Director on resident and program outcomes, including areas for improvement.
• Demonstrate empathy and flexibility in responding to residents’ needs and requests.
• Work collaboratively in a team environment to address crisis needs.
• Attend and participate in supervision meetings, staff meetings, agency training, and professional training and conferences as required.
• Follow all agency policies and procedures.
• Ability to work beyond the designated 8-hour tour of duty and display flexibility with last-minute shift needs.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• We offer an excellent benefits package including low-cost health insurance, health reimbursement, flexible spending accounts, employer-paid dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, 403B defined contribution plan matching, employee assistance programs, professional development, employee resource groups, 14 paid holidays, 15 days of vacation and 10 days of sick leave during 1st year of employment, and much more! (Benefits are pro-rated for part-time employees).

What This Job Offers

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