Residential Support Advocate

The Salvation Army, an internationally recognized non-profit, faith based organization, has a job opening for a part-time Residential Support Advocate for the Central Maryland Area Command, under the Potomac Division.

Position Summary

The Residential Support Advocate (RSA) supports residents of Catherine’s Cottage, ensuring a safe, encouraging environment, while coordinating the daily functioning of the house. The RA will monitor the Cottage activities on an assigned shift, ensuring safety, security, and consistency in house guidelines. The RA will support residents in life skills, conflict management, coping skills, and enrichment activities. The RA will also answer the phone, drive residents to appointments or activities as needed, maintain accurate and complete records and logs, ensure the house is maintained and clean; and address emergencies as they arise. All RA interactions with residents will adhere to trauma-informed best practices. The RA will also communicate with the residential staff and program staff and perform other duties necessary to the support of residents and the mission of the program.
 

This position requires the ability to occasionally work a variable schedule to ensure 24/7 staff coverage.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

High school diploma/GED; A.A. degree from an accredited college, preferred AND two (2) years of experience in social service work, especially in working with human trafficking survivors or other trauma-informed care setting; OR any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Licenses and Certifications

Valid Driver’s License (Approved Salvation Army Motor Vehicle Report), required.

Victim Advocate Certification, preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Ability to meet attendance requirements to ensure 24/7 staff coverage, including occasional flexing to different shifts as needed. Ability to read, write, and communicate the English language; ability to speak Spanish or another second language preferred.

Professional communications skills (both oral and written) and knowledge of general office procedures and practices; intermediate to advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and online applications (Teams, etc.), and the ability to use the internet, including research skills.

Ability to offer compassion, support, and a willingness to help others, including residents and colleagues. A core belief that every person is worthy of dignity, mutuality, and respect, including every resident, staff, volunteer, and visitor.

Comfort in and ability to work in stressful environments; ability to cope with ambiguity and change and effectively handle situations that do not have explicitly written instructions or guidelines; ability to communicate effectively with residents based on trauma-informed practices, including de-escalation of conflict.

Ability to work independently and with limited supervision, making decisions and addressing crisis situations based on established policies and procedures and sound judgment. Self-motivation and a proactive mindset, including the ability and desire to look for things that need to be done in addition to accomplishing regularly assigned tasks.

Self-awareness and openness to receiving and learning from feedback, both from residents and colleagues. Takes responsibility, maintains the highest levels of ethical standards, and upholds privacy and confidentiality for residents.

Comfort in working with people coming from diverse backgrounds and experiences, including individuals who identify as LGBTQ and individuals from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Ability and willingness to perform all duties with an understanding of the mission, ministry, philosophy, culture, and protocol of The Salvation Army; conducts all communications and job duties with the highest level of professionalism.

Physical and Mental Requirements

Some physical effort required associated with walking, standing, lifting, and carrying light objects (less than 25 lbs.) 5-10% of work time.

The shelter provides 24/7 coverage, including holidays, which requires the ability to flex schedules occasionally to ensure continuous coverage.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a shelter environment that requires a combination of sitting, standing, and walking up and down stairs on a frequent change basis.

Additional Information
All employees recognize that The Salvation Army is a church and agree that they will do nothing as an employee of The Salvation Army to undermine its religious mission.

*Application Submittal Period: 11/21/2022 - 12/12/2022

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled.