Residential Aide - Liberty Plaza at Lantern Community Services Inc – Queens, New York

Job Title: Residential Aide

FSLA Classification: Non-exempt

Location: Jamaica, Queens, NY

Hourly Rate: $21.97 - $24.72

Objective:

Lantern Community Services is seeking diligent and responsible Residential Aides for all shifts at our new men’s shelter, Liberty Plaza, located in Jamaica Queens. The Residential Aides will provide direct services to the shelter clients and be the primary connection between Case Management/Housing staff and the client. Part of the Residential Aide's responsibilities will be serving meals, monitoring for safety, documenting and orienting new intakes, assisting with group activities and events. On some occasions our clients will need assistance being escorted to appointments and ensuring compliance with shelter rules and regulations. Successful candidates will have prior experience providing compassionate care to vulnerable populations.

Essential Functions:

• Fosters a nurturing and welcoming environment for clients.
• Processes new client intakes, including completion of preliminary documentation, orientation to facility, laundering of belongings, and bed assignments.
• Assists in the planning and organization of recreational activities, events and outings.
• Informs appropriate program staff of any issues that may affect the health and safety of clients or staff.
• Maintains daily log, visitor and client sign-ins, and other record keeping.
• Utilizes Safe Crisis Management in working collaboratively with Shift Supervisor and Security Staff to respond to incidents; Completes incident documentation as required.
• Completes electronic shift summaries and generates daily client census & curfew violation reports.
• Serves meals to clients at breakfast, lunch and/or dinner.
• Conducts fire drills and generates documentation as required.
• Conducts routine inventory of equipment and supplies.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Shift Supervisor or other supervisory staff.

Required Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Possession of a valid Food Handler’s License, or the ability to obtain one within six (6) months of hire, is required.
• 2 years of experience working in a shelter setting, security, customer service, hospital patient care, etc. Preferred
• Must be adept and comfortable with crisis intervention.
• Basic Computer skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to get along with clients of various cultures and backgrounds.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Proven organization and logistical skills.
• Ability to respond to and assess urgent situations
• Experience working in a homeless shelter and/or with mentally illness preferred.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

Work Environment: This job operates in a shelter environment and works with a population who experiences mental illness, addiction, disability, HIV, and other chronic illnesses.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, climb stairs and/ or kneel. Occasionally the employee will have to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.