Residential Aide $20.74

Volunteers of America Oregon•Portland, OR

10d•$21 - $28•Onsite

About The Position

The Residential Aide provides direct support to clients in a therapeutic residential setting, helping maintain a safe, structured, and recovery-focused environment. Working in the milieu, the aide promotes positive interactions, models healthy behaviors, supports routines and activities, and responds to crises using trauma-informed strategies. Through everyday interactions—including conversations, recreation, and shared routines—the aide builds rapport and trust, and supports client engagement, accountability, stability, and participation in treatment on-site and in the community. This is a full-time position scheduled for 40 hours per week: Wednesday 5 p.m.–midnight, Thursday 11:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m., Friday 12:30 p.m.–11 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Travel is not required, although the physical-work-environment description notes that occasional travel between program sites and community locations may be required. The position has no supervisory responsibilities but may provide guidance to interns. The role is based at the Mens Residential Center in Portland, Oregon. Work is primarily performed in a residential treatment and office setting, with frequent movement throughout the residential environment and interaction with clients, staff, and visitors. Standard office equipment includes computers, phones, and printers. The noise level is generally moderate. Employees may occasionally encounter crisis or emergency situations and are expected to maintain safety and professionalism when behavior is unpredictable or escalated. The employee regularly sits for extended periods, uses hands and fingers to operate a computer and office equipment, and communicates in person and by phone. The role may occasionally require standing, walking, bending, and lifting up to 50 pounds. Essential duties must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to the safety or health of employees or others. The posted salary range is $20.74–$27.66. The posting describes benefits for full-time employees, subject to plan terms and eligibility requirements: medical insurance options with employer-paid premiums covering 71%–89% of employee-only coverage; optional dental and vision coverage at employee cost; employer-provided life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage; a 403(b) retirement plan with an automatic 5.5% employer contribution after 18 months; paid time off accruing at 15 days in the first year, 23 days in the second year, and 26 days in the third year; 80 hours of frontloaded sick time, prorated in the first year and resetting annually; 10 paid holidays and 3 personal holidays per year, prorated in the first year; eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness subject to program requirements; flexible spending accounts, an employee assistance program, voluntary benefits, and employee discounts.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
CPR/First Aid certification within 60 days of hire.
Valid driver’s license.
Must complete a criminal history background check and receive authorization from the State of Oregon’s Background Check Unit.
Must not be excluded from federal healthcare programs, including the OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities or the SAM exclusion list.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
If driving is required, must have an active driver’s license, current insurance, reliable transportation, and ability to meet VOA Oregon and its insurer’s driver standards.
Knowledge of substance use disorders, stages of recovery, and relapse prevention principles.
Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles and behavioral health best practices.
Knowledge of program policies, ethical standards, confidentiality laws including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, and professional boundaries.
Knowledge of systems intersecting with client care, such as child welfare, community justice, housing, benefits, and medical care, and how to connect clients to resources.
Skill in medication support, including logging, counting, coordinating refills, and following protocols and dosage schedules.
Skill in verbal de-escalation, redirection, and reframing to reduce conflict and help clients re-regulate.
Skill in clear, objective, timely documentation of client behavior, medication activity, incident reports, and daily interactions.
Ability to navigate changing priorities and multitask across clerical work, household tasks, and client support.
Ability to build rapport, offer compassionate presence, and listen actively while supporting client dignity, hope, and accountability.
Ability to model emotional regulation, healthy boundaries, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work collaboratively with clients and coworkers in a culturally responsive, inclusive, and equitable manner that honors diverse lived experiences.
Ability to enforce rules and program expectations respectfully and in a trauma-informed manner.
Ability to support daily operations flexibly and as part of a team.

Nice To Haves

Experience working or volunteering in a residential, behavioral health, or substance use treatment setting.
Coursework in addiction studies, psychology, social work, or a related human services field.
Completion of peer support or similar lived-experience training relevant to behavioral health.

Responsibilities

Provide supervision and daily support to clients, build rapport through everyday interactions, and maintain a safe, structured, recovery-focused environment.
Conduct regular headcounts, walkthroughs, and location checks to support client accountability and safety protocols.
Monitor and document client behavior, medication compliance, recovery progress, and critical incidents accurately and promptly.
Guide and model healthy routines, life skills, coping strategies, and time management to support recovery and daily living.
Coordinate and assist with medication management, including logging, administering according to protocol, counting, tracking, helping reorder, and collaborating with counselors and prescribers.
Welcome and orient new clients, conduct belongings searches, explain house routines and expectations, and support acclimation to the treatment community.
Facilitate and document drug and alcohol testing, including UAs, oral swabs, and breathalyzers, in accordance with chain-of-custody procedures and agency policy.
Provide calm, respectful support during emotional escalation or behavioral distress using de-escalation and redirection strategies.
Respond to emergencies, contact emergency medical or safety personnel when needed, and provide support until clinical or first-responder assistance is available.
Maintain a clean, safe, and orderly facility by completing household tasks and supporting clients with shared chores.
Monitor and guide participation in structured program activities such as classes, study halls, walks, and support meetings; redirect clients as needed to maintain the daily schedule.
Support client transportation to meetings and appointments in accordance with agency policies.
Apply and uphold program rules and behavioral expectations through consistent, trauma-informed communication.
Answer phones professionally, assist callers, and relay important call information to team members as needed.
Coordinate with team members on curfews, passes, appointments, and other client activity logistics, and provide updates that support communication and client progress.
Conduct personnel and room searches when assigned, follow agency policy regarding contraband, reinforce safety protocols, and promote a sober living environment.
Serve as a dependable frontline presence and help maintain daily operations in a dynamic residential environment.
Participate in supervision, training, and professional development activities.
Manage administrative duties, including checking email, responding to phone calls, managing appointment schedules, and maintaining timely documentation.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical insurance options with employer-paid premiums covering 71%–89% of employee-only coverage; employee costs start at $66.23 per paycheck.
Optional dental and vision coverage at employee cost.
Employer-provided life insurance.
Short- and long-term disability coverage.
403(b) retirement plan with automatic 5.5% employer contribution after 18 months, regardless of employee contribution.
Paid time off accruing at 15 days in the first year, 23 days in the second year, and 26 days in the third year.
80 hours of frontloaded sick time, prorated in the first year and resetting annually on January 1.
10 paid holidays per year.
3 personal holidays, prorated in the first year.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility for qualifying employees, subject to program requirements.
Flexible spending accounts.
Employee assistance program.
Access to other voluntary benefits and employee discounts.