Resident Life Associate - Shelter

Education: Associate Degree or High School Diploma with significant related life/work experience in a related health or human service profession.

Experience: Two or more years of successful employment in similar field. Proven ability in problem solving, team building, crisis intervention, effective communications and ability to diffuse escalation situations among shelter residents.

Other credentials: The agency may require specific credentials or documented training/experience for specific assignments covered by this Job Classification & Title. The Letter of Hiring or an Appendix to this Position Description will detail such credentials.

Certification in CPR/First Aid; valid automobile driver’s license; current auto registration and insurance.

C. REPORTS TO: Lead Resident Life Associate

(Title of immediate supervisor)

D. JOB SUMMARY: Bucks County Emergency Homeless Shelter Resident Life Associate

This position is primarily responsible for effectively managing all aspects for a facility with approximately 75 residents. Residents include adults and children. Resident Life Associate covers three shifts at the shelter: 8 A.M to 4 P.M, 4 P.M to Midnight and Midnight to 8 A.M. Typically a staff member is assigned a shift time, but flexibility is required in order to maintain staffing for all three shifts. Resident Life Associate is expected to ensure security and manage the resident’s needs during these times. The expectation is that policies and procedures will be adhered to for all shifts. Shifts will be staffed as needed to ensure appropriate coverage. Transition from shift to shift is expected to take place without interruption to service being provided to clients. At all times, a safe, secure, clean, healthy environment will be maintained for staff and residents.

E. RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Oversee facility operations during assigned shift.

2. Provide support to Resident Life Services Supervisor as well as any other staff member on duty.

3. Oversee transportation needs and requests from residents.

4. Oversee resident’s cleaning of facility, including dormitory, dining hall, bathrooms, main hall entry wall and children’s playroom.

5. Maintain accurate information in admissions ledger and shift communication log. Review shift communication log from previous shift during transition and discuss any outstanding issues or concerns.

6. Maintain all files and records to ensure strict confidentiality.

7. Answer phone calls to shelter and handle crisis information, referrals and routine request. Take messages and forward to appropriate staff in a timely fashion as appropriate.

8. Enforce shelter regulations and manage violations appropriately according to policy and guidelines. Engage Resident Life Services Supervisor for issues and concerns as they occur.

9. Complete safety and security tasks on each shift including: monitoring security system; limiting entry to the facility to authorized residents, staff, volunteers, maintenance persons, agency representatives, and guests; and circulating among residents, staff, volunteers, maintenance persons, agency representatives, and guests to preserve order and protect property.

10. Conduct regular rounds of facility as follows:

a. Walk around entire perimeter of Shelter property, including a check of all vehicles in parking lots,

dumpster area, sewer pump and empty field. Direct any persons found loitering outside to leave the

premises.

b. Inspect complete interior of Shelter building, including all hallways, offices, activity rooms,

kitchen, boiler room, storage rooms, and garage. Check all windows and doors to assure all are

closed and locked. Check all fire exit doors to ensure they are unobstructed.

c. Keep a detailed log of facility checks, and dormitories, noting any problems and/or concerns that

arose, and what actions were taken to correct or solve the problem.

11. Determine an accurate nightly census by making rounds of cot area after curfew, review admissions/ discharges and updated cot charts.

12. Ensure security of all valuables turned over to the Shelter staff for safekeeping.

13. Sweep and mop staff hallway, staff bathroom and atrium. Clean, stock, and disinfect staff bathroom and nurse’s office. Clean and stock atrium and supply closet. Empty trash cans.

14. Determine accurate census at the beginning of each shift by reviewing admissions/discharges from previous day/night, status of cot chare and briefing from shift change team.

15. Complete Shift Task List daily, including regular rounds of property, checking of fire exit doors to ensure they are unobstructed, etc.

16. Report all issues and concerns related to equipment, safety or security, immediately to the Resident Life Services Supervisor.

17. Follow procedures to notify other staff members if task requires leaving the Shelter.

18. Coordinate and support residents need to use laundry services as appropriate.

19. Participate in training and education as required for position.

20. Identify and communicate concerns related to facility and/or equipment that may present a risk through work order system.

21. Supervise rotation of volunteers for various tasks as appropriate.

22. Flexibility with work schedule in support of crisis intervention, resident needs and on call activities as agency needs require.

23. Participate in meetings, committees, process improvements as required.

24. Complete and maintain orderly, legible, timely records of services and other documents in narrative or data formats as required by the agency or its contracts.

25. Pursue continuing education to maintain and up-grade social service knowledge and practice skills. Use supervision to identify and address professional development needs. Specifically attends to on-going development of sensitivity to diverse cultural groups, particularly groups served by this position.

26. Understand and observe each client's rights to privacy and confidentiality as articulated by agency policy and procedures -- particularly for special programs, projects, services to which this position is assigned.

27. When needed, assist with meal preparation, meal service, pantry organization and/or donation room responsibilities.