Resident Assistant

Position: #903508

Program: Youth Residential

Department: Youth Services

Reports to: Program Manager

Shift Differential Premium: $1.75 per hour for hours worked between 6pm-6am

Schedule: Saturday-Wednesday 5:00pm-1:30am

Status: 100%, Full-Time, Non-Exempt, Union

Probation: 90 days

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision; also including Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program, and a 403(b) Retirement Plan

Center’s Mission:

Building a world where LGBT people thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society.

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:  The Youth Center serves youth up to the age of 24 who are currently at-risk of or experiencing homelessness.  The Youth Center offers services in an LGBTQ+ safe and affirming environment and serves as an entry point to assist youth making the transition from homelessness to housing.  Our services include meals, clothing, support groups, a charter high school, GED and college prep program, an employment preparation, training and placement program, case management, counseling, a crisis shelter and a transitional living program (TLP).  Our community-based programs include services for youth at-home, in school or in systems of care. 

JOB SUMMARY:  The Resident Assistant provides direct oversight and care to Youth Center members and residents and is responsible for being an after-hours presence for LGBTQ+ sheltered youth at the Center’s emergency overnight and transitional living programs. This position works with a member/resident population that is currently or formerly experiencing homelessness and has high rates of health, mental health, and substance-related issues. The ideal candidate must be familiar with and have experience with this population. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

•    Follow a framework of care goals and department protocols to ensure member and resident safety, provide crisis intervention and de-escalation along a spectrum of intervention techniques.

•    Implement philosophy-of-care, house rules, including housing-first, harm-reduction and trauma-informed care principles.

•    Provide a welcoming presence onsite for members and residents to engage with by answering questions and providing information.

•    Monitor resident access, including appropriate entry and departure, and oversee residential spaces to safeguard resident care.

•    Assist with the mediation of conflicts that arise and attempt to de-escalate residents who are exhibiting behavior that is anxious/aggressive or may be violating house rules.

•    Establish and maintain the upkeep and cleanliness of the youth center and residential program and assist residents with maintaining the cleanliness of their living spaces.

•    Assist with the coordination of onsite evening/weekend events and social activities for member/resident engagement.

•    Assist with the assessment of residents experiencing severe mental health symptoms and contact Psychiatric Medical Response Team (PMRT) if a resident exhibits behavior that is harmful to self or others.

•    Contact emergency services (e.g. police, ambulance, fire department, PMRT) in cases of emergency, such as a health or mental health crisis, fire, or presence of unauthorized persons.

•    Write reports of daily activities and irregularities, such as calls to emergency services, criminal activity such as property damage and theft, presence of unauthorized persons, or other unusual occurrences.

•    Follow alarm procedures and address disturbances in a safe manner, calling proper authorities if necessary.

•    Follow communication protocols to inform appropriate Center staff/departments regarding emergency issues, including after-hours Facilities maintenance.

•    Assist with the coordination of case management, housing and other onsite service staff on behalf of residents that need after-hours monitoring, follow-up, or assistance.

•    Gain understanding of resident-specific personal and medical needs to best support residents and create appropriate relationships which promote the resident’s case plan.

•    Participate in staff meetings, planning meetings and other meetings as needed.

•    Other duties as assigned.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

•    Knowledge of or experience working with the LGBTQ community and familiarity with issues of particular relevance to LGBTQ people.

•    A passion for the Center’s work and its mission to make the world a better place for LGBTQ people.

•    Minimum 1 year of experience in related field, specifically working with youth experiencing homelessness/housing instability, foster youth, and/or mental illness, low-income, or individuals experiencing homelessness.

•    Experience with substance abuse case management and crisis intervention.

•    Knowledge of housing-first, harm-reduction, trauma-informed care principles.

•    Effective problem-solving skills and ability to multi-task.

•    Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong organizational, detail and interpersonal skills.

•    Self-motivated, energetic, flexible and the ability to work in a team environment.

•    Available to work schedules which include evenings, overnight, weekends, and holidays.

•    Bilingual skills, a plus (English/Spanish fluency preferred, American Sign Language fluency, a plus).

•    Access to reliable transportation and the ability to be insured.

•    Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse races, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expression, socio-economic backgrounds, religions, ages, English-speaking abilities, immigration status, and physical abilities in a multicultural environment.

The Los Angeles LGBT Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering diversity within its staff. Applications are encouraged from all persons regardless of their race, color, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, sex, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, religion, disability, age, military or veteran status, including status as a victim of domestic violence, assault or stalking, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation or activities, medical or health conditions, and marital status.

The Center has implemented a policy requiring all staff to be up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations as a condition of employment, subject to applicable federal, state and local laws. For more information, please contact [email protected]