Residential Advocate

Description

Position Title: Residential Advocate 

Job Type: Part-time

Reports To: Operations Manager

Classification: Regular Part-Time - Non-Exempt, .4 FTE

Status: Protection Sensitive

Location: Washington, DC 

Hours: Saturday & Sunday; 12:00 AM - 8:00 AM; able to pick up shifts when available.

Wage:  $17.95 - $20.23 

About Us:

Friendship Place is a nonprofit organization serving the Washington, DC, region, empowering individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness to rebuild their lives with community involvement. Friendship Place offers the most effective model for addressing homelessness, with innovative, customized programs with positive, demonstrable results and a lasting impact on the community and beyond. Our programs are person-centric and individualized to meet the needs and goals of individuals, families, youth/young adults, and Veterans experiencing homelessness. We provide outreach, hospitality, health care, shelter, case management, housing, job placement services, and advocacy. We have established a national presence and are known for sharing best practices in the field.

Our Core Values: Friendship Place is a Person – First Organization that promotes transparency and ethical practices among our team and those we serve. All individuals in our organization are expected to carry out their job tasks in a manner that is consistent with our core values. 

Summary:  

The position provides support to participants in bridge housing a from homelessness to permanent housing. The bridge housing model seeks to stabilize participants and coordinate with external providers to house participants within 90 days. The Valley Place approach embraces a Housing First model and philosophy. The Residential Advocate works to empower participants to rebuild their lives, relying on their own strengths, and using wraparound resources in a holistic, participant-driven process.  s they transitioProvide supportive services to individuals experiencing homelessness with serious mental illnesses, addictions, medical concerns, etc.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Deliver face-to-face contact to participants, and work in  conjunction with case managers and external providers
• Demonstrate empathy and flexibility in responding to participants’ needs and requests, fostering wellness and independence
• Engage participants and assess individual needs, preferences, and strengths
• Monitors the residents, units, and grounds of Valley Place at all times to ensure the security and safety of each resident
• Provides appropriate oversight of the participants at the bridge housing site and enforces program policies
• Provides de-escalation services to participants as needed and, in conjunction with other staff and on-site security, ensures the safety and well-being of all staff and residents.
• Assists in the planning and organization of site-based programming and recreational activities and events for individuals at Valley Place.
• Reports unusual incidents to the appropriate parties and writes unusual incident reports.
• Reports observations to case management staff to support the participants in progressing towards goals.
• Performs weekly and as necessary inspections of units.
• Distributes food during meal services and discards waste.
• Participates in multidisciplinary meetings and regular supervision
• Complete progress notes and all mandatory paperwork within required timeframes (48 hours for case notes, 24 hours for unusual incidents)
• Maintain participants’ electronic records in the Housing the Homeless database
• Attend professional trainings and conferences as needed 
• Maintain strict confidentiality at all times.
• Seeks out opportunities for professional development.
• Maintain compliance with trainings, background clearances, and meeting attendance at all times.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Background & Qualifications:

• General knowledge of working in a homeless shelter or residential facility preferred.
• Minimum high school diploma or equivalent. 1 year of experience working with vulnerable families and/or youth is preferred.
• Must have or be able to obtain a First Aid/CPR/AED certification that includes?a hands-on skills testing module.? May be called into action to perform life-saving measures. Friendship Place will provide First Aid/CPR/AED training. 
• Experience working with individuals experiencing chronic homelessness
• Experience with addictions, mental health, and co-occurring disorders
• Experience working with individuals with mental health concerns or addiction preferred. 
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word; ability to learn database programs. 

Required Skills and Competencies

• Must possess strong intra- and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to effectively express ideas, needs, and observations both verbally and in writing. This includes the ability to communicate clearly and respectfully with clients, colleagues, and supervisors, and to document interactions and incidents accurately, professionally, and in a timely manner. The employee should demonstrate active listening, emotional awareness, and the ability to adapt their communication style to different individuals and situations.
• Capacity to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Understanding of adult rehabilitation services and a person-centered approach
• Ability and willingness to work in a diverse and challenging environment.  
• Ability and willingness to work as a team player. 
• Ability to maintain healthy and professional boundaries.
• Must be able to arrive at work and scheduled meetings on time. 
• Strong commitment to mission, including racial equity and social justice.
• This role involves working closely with individuals who may be experiencing mental health or substance use challenges. At times, the work may involve exposure to emotionally sensitive or challenging situations. Employee must be compassionate,      self-aware, and able to maintain healthy boundaries while supporting others in a respectful and trauma-informed way.

Working conditions:

Program participants live on-site in apartment-style accommodations, and employees will work within that building. Employees may be exposed to bodily fluids and wastes (e.g., blood, urine, feces, vomit) and paraphernalia. (Appropriate PPE and training on how to use will be provided)

Physical and Environmental Requirements:

Position will operate in a site-based service environment. Program participants live on-site in apartment-style accommodations. Employees must be able to sit for extended periods, perform repetitive motions, and maintain proper posture and positions. Some lifting may be required (up to 20- 25 lbs) 

Background checks:

The selected candidate will be required to complete and pass background checks specific to contract requirements that may include criminal history background check and fingerprinting, FBI Background Check, DC Metropolitan Police Background Check, State-of-Residence Police Background Check, DC Child Abuse Registry (CFSA), National Sex Offender Registry Check, Drug Panel and Alcohol Screening, Tuberculosis Test, and Driving Record check (for positions transporting participants). Friendship Place shall comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and guidance, including guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and public health and licensing authorities. It is also consistent with contract requirements and other protocols that will provide for the optimal safety and health of our employees and the clients we serve.

Direct & Indirect Reports Direct: None

Specific Requirements

The employee must have a valid government-issued ID and have reliable transportation to arrive at the worksite on time.

Physical and Environmental Requirements:

• Must be able to lift and/or move up to 25 lbs.
• Consistent Sitting, walking

Other Details:

Application Deadline: This job is open until filled or until the hiring manager determines they can no longer accept applications.

Compensation: The hiring pay range is between $17.95 - $20.23 per hour. The starting annual salary is based on a step system. A candidate’s starting pay is determined by meeting the basic position requirements and having completed education, credentials, and work experience. Please note: The step system is set and not open to pay negotiation. 

Benefits: We offer an excellent benefits package including low-cost health insurance, health reimbursement, flexible spending accounts, employer-paid dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, 403B defined contribution plan matching, employee assistance programs, professional development, employee resource groups, 14 paid holidays, 15 days of vacation and 10 days of sick leave during 1st year of employment, and much more! (Benefits are pro-rated for part-time employees).

COVID-19: All Friendship Place employees, regardless of their vaccination status, must continue to take precautions against the spread of COVID-19, in accordance with the agency’s COVID-19 protocols and applicable law and guidance. This includes but is not limited to wearing masks in congregated settings, washing their hands or using hand sanitizer often, monitoring their daily health, and staying home if they are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms (or if they are otherwise prohibited from reporting to work by a health provider under CDC, state, and local guidance). Since the public health and legal landscapes regarding this policy are subject to frequent changes, Friendship Place reserves the right to amend or cancel this policy at any time, in its sole discretion, consistent with applicable law, CDC guidelines, and the DC Department of Health.

Location: Washington, DC

Interview Process: Phone screening, panel-style interview, final interview.

Website: www.friendshipplace.org

Equal Opportunity Statement: Friendship Place is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our team and want to involve all those who can contribute to our inclusive culture. We support all qualified individuals within our workforce without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, personal appearance, familial status, family responsibilities, political affiliations, matriculation, credit, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement Friend Place is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact human resources at humanresources@friendshipplace.org

How to Apply: Interested applicants should apply via the organizational website. 

All of our current career openings can be found by visiting: https://friendshipplace.org/who-we-are/careers/  

Salary : $18 - $20