Residential Advocate

SAN ANTONIO METROPOLITAN MINISTRY Inc•San Antonio, TX

2d•$0 - $18•Onsite

About The Position

Resident Advocates (RAs) at SAMMinistries’ Transitional Living and Learning Center (TLLC) serve to provide guidance and support to residents on a day-to-day basis. RAs are front-line, client-facing staff who assist residents with meeting immediate needs, addressing concerns, and helping ensure their safety. RAs also ensure the safety and security of visitors and volunteers while helping to promote a welcoming environment. RA’s ensure compliance with policies, procedures, and protocols of the facility and the organization overall. The selected candidate for this role will also be expected to perform daily environmental scans of the building to ensure cleanliness, track activities of visitors, volunteers, and residents, as well as communicate effectively to the team. RAs will engage in providing guidance and teaching life skills to residents. The TLLC serves families who are experiencing homelessness, who may be survivors of domestic violence, and who have experienced many forms of trauma. As a team, TLLC staff support families as they work toward permanent housing in two main capacities: forward thinking, and present-day thinking.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in social service, Community Health Worker Certification, experience in a related field or three years work experience or equivalent combination of education and experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness and mental illness.
Knowledge in community-based programs
Ability to gain working knowledge of SAMMinistries’ policies and procedures
Ability to act as a representative of SAMMinistries to the public
Ability to effectively communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds
Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records
Ability to use Trauma Informed Care techniques
Ability to operate and work effectively in Microsoft Office programs
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form
Ability to professionally handle crisis situations
Must be sensitive to the dynamics associated with individuals who are experiencing homelessness.
Must be able to react swiftly and effectively to crisis situations.
Must possess good conflict resolution skills.
Logic and ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Valid Driver's License.
Successfully obtain a Community Health Worker (CHW) Certification within the first 180 days of hire.
Successful completion and certification in CPR/First Aid/AED, Trauma Informed Care, Harm Reduction, and Housing Frist training will be required within sixty days of hire.
Additional Training in: Motivational Interviewing, Time Management, HMIS Training.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual (English/Spanish) is preferred.

Responsibilities

Complete daily rounds of the building and accurately record findings including reporting immediate concerns in the TLLC Activity Report.
Ensure compliance and quality assurance through routine review and maintenance of logs, files, and reports.
Collect and forward all incident reports to the SAMMinistries management team.
Provide coverage of the TLLC Front Desk, monitor security cameras, respond immediately to calls, and take appropriate action in coordination with TLLC Staff and Leadership.
Respond to visitors, volunteers and residents’ requests, complaints, and inquiries.
Ensure that only authorized individuals gain entry to the facility, and maintain privacy and anonymity of families residing at the TLLC.
Recognize and respond to any significant changes in resident behavior or demeanor and document in the TLLC Activity Report, communicate with the TLLC Leadership, case management team, and other appropriate professionals, as necessary.
Maintain an adequate inventory of supplies and distribute to residents as per the TLLC Point System Policy.
Conduct room, pantry, and campus health and welfare checks weekly or as needed.
Assist in ensuring that all residents are aware of all emergency procedures (fire, tornado, and other emergencies).
Use trauma-informed skills to teach and provide demonstration of chores, cooking, laundry, and other daily life skills with residents.
Conduct orientation and assemble welcome baskets for new residents.
Receive donation and provide donor receipts; organize and store donations as needed.
Establish goals, priorities and timelines on a regular basis, ensuring timely and efficient management and completion of all tasks.
Communicate challenges with the Director of Transitional Housing and/or the Vice President of Supportive Housing.
Attend staff meetings and participate in organization-wide planning activities.
Handle other tasks assigned by the Director of Transitional Housing and/or the Vice President of Supportive Housing.
Undertake all activities with the highest ethical standards.