Residential Advocate - Full-Time, Overnight

Friendship Place•WASHINGTON, DC

1d•$18 - $20•Onsite

About The Position

Friendship Place is a nonprofit organization serving the Washington, DC, region, empowering individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness to rebuild their lives with community involvement. Friendship Place offers the most effective model for addressing homelessness, with innovative, customized programs with positive, demonstrable results and a lasting impact on the community and beyond. Our programs are person-centric and individualized to meet the needs and goals of individuals, families, youth/young adults, and Veterans experiencing homelessness. We provide outreach, hospitality, healthcare, shelter, case management, housing, job placement services, and advocacy. We have established a national presence and are known for sharing best practices in the field. Our Core Values: Friendship Place is a Person-First Organization that promotes transparency and ethical practices among our team and those we serve. All individuals in our organization are expected to perform their job duties in a manner consistent with our core values. These include the following: Excellence and Innovation, Finding Ways to Say “Yes,” Caring at the Core, Agents of Change, Support, Empowerment and Development, Building Relationships, Integrity, and Accountability Summary: 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
Bachelor’s Degree Preferred
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
Bilingual in Spanish is a plus
Experience working with individuals with mental health concerns or addiction preferred
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
Bilingual in Spanish
Experience working with individuals with mental health concerns or addiction

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.