Residential Aide

Avalon Housing • Ann Arbor, MI

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Avalon Housing is a nonprofit supportive housing provider that uses a Housing First approach to help tenants achieve housing stability and thrive in their homes. Residential Support Specialists are 24-hour front-line support staff who monitor front desks, assist tenants and visitors, and help maintain safe and inclusive supportive housing communities. The role serves individuals who may face mental illness, substance use disorders, chronic medical conditions, and a history of chronic homelessness, and includes coordinating with Avalon staff and community service providers.

Depending on the location, the role may also include hands-on assistance with activities of daily living, such as meal preparation, shopping, prompting, and medication administration. The position requires a weekly compensated on-call shift. Required training must begin within the first 30 days of hire; some training may take place outside regular shift hours, and all training time is compensated. The position is based at 411 Ashley, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Requirements

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• High school diploma.
• Satisfactory background check and clear legal standing.
• Two years of experience in supportive housing or another social-services setting, or lived experience of homelessness/supportive housing.
• Ability to work well with multicultural communities.
• Complete relevant specialized instruction during the orientation period.
• Demonstrate proficiency in and obtain certification in essential first aid.
• Complete training on individual plan of service (IPOS) implementation.
• Complete coursework on infectious disease safety and prevention protocols.
• Be capable of executing IPOS guidelines, implementing crisis procedures, and accurately documenting service delivery.
• Participate in client medication administration, including completing Washtenaw County medication training, maintaining certification, completing internal training, administering medication, and maintaining proper documentation.
• Valid Michigan driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Ability to sit for long periods, drive a vehicle with passengers, communicate by talking and hearing, lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds, and operate computer hardware systems.

Nice To Haves

• Basic understanding of homelessness and characteristics of the homeless adult population.
• Experience with mental illness and chemical dependency.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations in a non-judgmental way.
• Capacity to respond to crisis situations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to recognize appropriate boundaries with clients.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Positive and enthusiastic attitude and strong commitment to helping people in need.
• Interest or experience working with individuals who are difficult to engage in traditional programs.
• Tolerance and ability to engage with individuals at their current stage of change.
• Knowledge, acceptance, or experience with harm-reduction principles.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with staff from various backgrounds.
• Ability to work flexible hours as required by program and staffing needs.

Responsibilities

• Check visitors in and out, answer phones, and monitor security systems.
• Maintain resident safety and security by monitoring general access areas and enforcing program rules.
• Intervene in crises, respond to emergencies, and initiate appropriate action, including contacting emergency response systems.
• Coordinate tenant services and contact outside service providers as necessary.
• Work cooperatively with onsite staff and visiting service providers, and refer tenants to clinical and other staff as needed.
• Initiate maintenance requests.
• Attend staff meetings, retreats, and professional training sessions.
• Depending on location, assist tenants with activities of daily living, including meal preparation, prompting, medication administration, shopping, and other hands-on assistance.
• Participate in a weekly on-call shift.
• Complete required orientation-period training and certifications, including first aid, IPOS implementation, infectious disease safety, crisis procedures, service documentation, and medication administration.

Benefits

• Paid time off, including vacation, sick, and personal time allowances, with accrual depending on hours worked.
• A paid holiday every month.
• Life insurance and short-term disability coverage, with premiums fully covered by Avalon for employees working 16 or more hours per week.
• 403(b) retirement plan through Vanguard, available to all employees.
• Employee Assistance and Wellness programs.
• AD&D coverage.

What This Job Offers

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