Resident Assistant - Weekends at HOUSING FORWARD – Oak Park, Illinois

The position is working part-time, Saturday, and Sunday from 3:30pm to 11:30pm.

The Resident Assistant is responsible for the overall safety and well-being of clients in Interim Housing and building security. The Resident Assistant is also responsible for answering calls, making hourly safety checks and some housekeeping of the building. This position requires professional interactions, distribution of basic supplies and cooperating with other staff and volunteers.

JOB RESPONSIBILITES: Client Focused Tasks

• Welcome new clients into the program, including inventorying possessions and checking for unauthorized items.
• Interact with clients in the community areas of the building and role model appropriate social skills.
• Perform general front desk duties including admitting residents to the facilities that have been approved to return after the curfew.
• Provide referrals to individuals seeking assistance after office hours.
• Monitor the cameras, hallways, stairways, and external perimeter to ensure safety of clients.
• Respond to client issues including emergencies and de-escalate potentially serious situations.
• Direct guest to address any or all social service issues to the Interim Housing Manager and assigned Case Manager. This includes issues pertaining to family, self, mental health/emotional, financial, substance abuse, parenting and/or physical needs.
• In emergency situations, work with other staff to keep other clients calm and asway from the incident site. If necessary, safely evacuate building.
• After curfew, check log and if necessary, rooms to see that all clients are in or otherwise accountable for, (working, authorized leave, etc.)
• Coordinate meal distributions to clients.
• When client is leaving the program assist with packing and ensure that client dispose of trash and room is clean.
• Maintain client confidentiality.
• Perform room inspections.

ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS:

• Prepare unusual incident report and/or program violation reports as needed and/or warranted. Distribute to designated personnel.
• Complete accurate and timely computer data entry for client information and services.
• Assist in processing and storing donations.
• Complete daily logs. Ensure building is secure; ensure restricted areas are locked.
• Maintain client confidentiality.

FACILITIES:

• Maintain food storage areas by organizing food, removing expired items, and updating inventory.
• Provide housekeeping tasks including straightening up community areas, front lobby, storage areas, copy room, Including vacuuming, trash removal and restrooms.
• Organize and maintain inventory linen and supply closet.
• Do laundry of bed linen and other program supplies, fold and put away laundry.
• Rotate garbage bins from patio to front of building on assigned days, assist with recycling.
• Document and report building maintenance issues to Facilities Manager.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Complete mandatory LMS staff training and attend or complete other training and in-services as designated by supervisor.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A high school or GED certificate and at least one (1) year experience in social service.
• Demonstrate knowledge of computer software programs and ability to enter alpha and numeric data accurately and efficiently. Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, SharePoint preferred.
• Ability to stay awake during the overnight shift to perform assigned duties.
• Commitment to providing a safe, non-judging environment.
• Demonstrate active listening, encouragement towards clients while maintaining personal and professional boundaries.
• Ability to accept, understand and relate sensitively to people of varied social, economic, racial, cultural, and experiential backgrounds,
• A willingness and ability to work some additional hours to ensure the complete staffing of our 24-hour facility.

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of or a willingness and aptitude to learn the concepts involved with serving low-income families.
• Demonstrated ability to use initiative and be a self-starter.
• Knowledge of and/or willingness to learn key tenants of client confidentiality and commitment to abide by these tenants.
• An attention to detail, procedures, processes and policies.
• A positive attitude and the ability to be flexible in light of changing job situations and priorities.
• Commitment to learning and embrace Housing Forward’s values.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stand, walk, walk up and down stairs, and lift up to 25 lbs.

American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement: External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job specific functions (listed within each job responsibility) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the organization on a case-by-case basis.

Housing Forward does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, citizenship, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, medical status, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ancestry, or any legally protected status. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits and training. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, or disability.

Job descriptions are not intended and should not be construed to be all-inclusive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with a job. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties, as necessary. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.