Description

Alexandria’s House Support Staff is responsible for providing a holistic and individualized approach to meet the unique needs of young mothers. The goal of this position is to help young mothers work towards self-sufficiency by helping them to learn how to parent and perform basic house cleaning - as well as to assist them with developing other necessary independent living skills. Support Staff are responsible for building relationships with the young moms and their children, along with coaching mothers through difficult situations, and supporting their needs using positive youth development. The Support Staff role is also responsible for maintaining basic upkeep of the facility.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:

This is a variable hour position, and scheduled shifts may fall on any time of day (including evening and overnight hours) and on any day of the week (including weekends and holidays). Work hours may vary and may include:

• Day shift: 9:00am to 5:00pm
• Mid shift: 5:00pm to 9:00pm
• Varied weekend shifts (up to 12 hour shifts)

*The actual work hours can be adjusted based on the employee’s availability.

**This position will require being on-call on a rotating schedule.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each of the essential duties/responsibilities listed below. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties/responsibilities of this job. The essential functions of the position include, but are not limited to the following: 

• Respect and value all residents, regardless of circumstances, behavior, or need. 
• Ensure safety of staff, residents and their children by making appropriate safety interventions. 
• Understand, adhere to, enforce, and uphold VOA and Alexandria’s House policies, procedures, and professional code of ethics and boundaries. 
• Read, understand, and adhere to Washington State Administrative Code (WAC’s). 
• Educate residents about the guidelines and expectations of Alexandria’s House; facilitate ongoing compliance. 
• Perform reception duties, including but not limited to: answering the telephone, taking thorough messages, answering questions about the program, making referrals to appropriate agencies, and completing client/resident referrals. 
• Accept and record donations; assist in writing thank-you notes to donors. 
• Distribute hygiene products and other necessities to residents. 
• Assist residents in meal preparation and clean-up. 
• Follow House Maintenance Plans and Shift Checklists. 
• Work with residents to complete and check off residents’ chores. 
• Monitor residents in clean-up and other activities. 
• Provide and participate in special activities and recreational events for residents. 
• Inform residents of upcoming events/activities and their responsibilities. 
• Maintain records of client/resident contact and participation in the program. 
• Make necessary notifications when required to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Parent/Legal Guardians, Law Enforcement, Management, etc. 
• Inform Program Manager or designee of any unusual incidents. 
• Participate in one-on-one, administrative, and staff meetings, as well as attend other meetings, such as seminars and in-service trainings, for Alexandria’s House and VOA. 
• Participate in required staff meetings including regular supervision 
• Meet program requirements for billable client services. 
• Attend all program-required trainings and meet program compliance requirements. 
• Follow the On-call procedures. 

During the Overnight shift, the following also applies: 

• Lock and secure the House to ensure staff and resident safety during the night hours. 
• Before the end of the shift, complete a walk-through and make sure the House is presentable for the day shift. 

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:  

• Performs other related duties as required or assigned. 
• Travel as required. Travel is primarily local and during the business day; although very occasional out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be expected. 
• This role has no supervisory responsibilities. 

Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must meet the minimum qualifications listed below. These qualifications are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required to perform this job. 

Required Education and/or Experience: To perform this job successfully, an individual must have: 

• High School Diploma or GED/HSEC
• One (1) year of experience working directly with children and/or youth OR two (2) years of continued education.

Certificates and/or Licenses: 

• Be eligible to be licensed as Agency Affiliated Counselor (AAC) and apply for credential within 30 days of hire.
• Become CPR/First Aid/BBP Certified within one week of employment
• Obtain TB test or results of a negative TB test administered no earlier than 8 months prior to hire date
• Obtain Tdap (adult Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) and Influenza vaccinations before employment can begin, or produce evidence of the above vaccinations being current. (May obtain at no cost upon hire. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with allergic reactions to the above vaccinations.)
• Must be able to pass the following Background Checks:
• Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) background check

Preferred Education and/or Experience: 

• Previous experience with Positive Youth Development (PYD)
• Previous training in Trauma-Informed Care
• Previous lived experience parenting
• Previous knowledge/experience around pregnancy
• Previous experience with vulnerable populations/marginalized communities

Bona Fide Occupational Qualifications: 

Must be at least 21 years of age according to DCYF requirements.

Skills, Abilities, and Competencies: For an employee to succeed in this position they must have: 

• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing; including demonstrated strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to retain high professional standards regarding confidentiality.
• Ability to multi-task and work in a high volume, fast-paced environment, balancing changing priorities.
• Proven ability for attention to detail.
• Ability to interact effectively with employees and managers from diverse socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds.
• Excellent public speaking skills for large and small groups.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of Medicaid and/or Medicare and/or Medicare enrollment services and process.
• Proficient in word processing applications and associated software such as Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Outlook; including CMIS (HMIS) and behavioral health software systems.
• Proficient reporting skills including auditing data and processes regularly to produce reports and/or communications to applicable stakeholders.

Physical Requirements:

In order to meet all expectations of this position, an individual must be able to:

• Regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Ascend and descend stairs. Required use of washers and dryers, as well as standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Perceive text and buttons on the computer screen and discern print and handwriting on paper forms.
• Frequently remain in a standing position and move about inside and outside of the shelter. Lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Access file cabinets, office machinery etc.
• Occasionally lift and/or move client possessions, small to medium objects in the office, and/or cleaning supplies (up to 50 pounds). Required to climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

Work Conditions:

While performing the essential duties/responsibilities of this job, the employee may experience the following environmental conditions:

• Noise Conditions: This job operates in a licensed Maternity Group Home. The noise level in the work environment can be loud. The position regularly interacts with youths ages 16-20, and with very young children, including newborns.
• Heat/Cold: May be subject to heat, cold, wet, and/or humid weather conditions, and occasionally extreme heat and/or cold. 
• Injury Exposure: This position requires working with standard office equipment – copy machines, computers, and phones, in addition to washers, dryers and other appliances.
• Atmospheric Exposures: May be exposed to various scents and perfumes, less than sanitary or uncomfortable conditions, various pests and pathogens, participants’ service and emotional support animals, as well as clients in physical, mental or emotional distress.