Job Description

Position Title Residential Aide – Valley Place

Reports To: Division Director

Classification: Hourly (Non-Exempt); Essential

Location: Washington DC 20020

Hours: 12 AM - 8 am, Monday-Friday

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: 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 perform their job duties in a manner consistent with our core values. This includes the following: Excellence and Innovation; Finding Ways to Say “Yes,”; Caring at the Core; Agents of Change; Support, Empowerment and Development; Building Relationships; and Integrity and Accountability

of Position: The position provides support to participants in bridge housing who are transitioning 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. Residential Aides provide 24/7 on-site services to residents by ensuring a safe, healthy, and supportive environment. The position completes intake procedures for newly assigned residents and routine rounds/inspections of assigned residential floors. Residential Aides work collaboratively with program staff to ensure high-quality services are always provided, and all documentation is completed on each shift. The position also supports residents by distributing essential resources, including meals, hygiene supplies, laundry supplies, linens, towels, and other available resources.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with staff to ensure adequate coverage 24/7
• Provide supportive services to individuals experiencing homelessness with serious mental illnesses, addictions, medical concerns, etc.
• Deliver face-to-face contacts 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 the participants as needed and to ensure the safety and well-being of all staff and residents, in conjunction with other staff and on-site security
• 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 completes written incident reports within the required 24-hour timeframe
• 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
• Attend professional trainings and conferences
• Assist with cleaning and preparation of units as needed to ensure readiness for new participant intakes, including basic sanitation
• Coordinate shift transitions and ensure effective communication of participant issues, safety concerns, and program needs across shifts
• Model trauma-informed care and professional boundaries in all interactions; mentor advocate staff in best practices
• Serve as the primary point of contact for advocate staff during assigned shifts, providing real-time guidance, problem-solving, and support in crisis situations
• Perform light stocking and organization of building supplies, ensuring common areas and staff spaces remain orderly and adequately equipped
• Perform all other duties as assigned

Requirements

Education/Experience Requirement:

• A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Two (2) years of experience working in a residential or shelter setting is required.
• Prior relevant work experience in human or homeless services, psychiatric rehabilitation, additions, poverty, foster care, mental health, youth/young adults, LGBTQIA+ people, and/or other individuals from historically marginalized communities strongly 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. First Aid/CPR/AED training will be provided by Friendship Place.

Essential Skills and Competencies:

• Solid decision-making and problem-solving skills (Identify and resolves problems in a timely manner; uses sound and accurate judgment; Attention to detail)
• Strong oral communication skills (Ability to speak clearly and convey vital information to diverse audiences, active engagement in meetings)
• Strong written communication skills (Writes clearly, informatively, and with accuracy)
• Excellent Customer Service (Displays kindness and respect and meets service expectations; Upholds client confidentiality)
• Commitment to Growth and Development (Strives to build knowledge, skills, and best practices)
• Attendance/Punctuality (Consistently on time and ensures support coverage, as necessary)
• Teamwork and Collaboration (Balances team and individual responsibilities; gives/receives feedback; upholds confidentiality; pursues objectivity and open dialogue)
• Strong work ethic, including integrity, honesty, professionalism, and accountability for actions and actions. (willingness to get “dirty” and support colleagues in achieving outcomes)
• Commitment to Organizational Practices and Culture (Mission, Core Values, Strategic Planning, and Compliance)
• Experience with Microsoft Programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.), Internet services, and web-based reporting systems.

Working conditions: The office is located in an apartment building and exposed to conditions that arise in homes, including occasionally biohazards (e.g., blood, tissue, human waste) and conflict.

Employees must be able to sit for extended periods with repetitive motions and positions. The employee must be able to operate a motorized vehicle. Some lifting may be required (up to 20-25 lbs.)

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.

Physical and Environmental Requirements: Employees must be able to sit and stand for extended periods of time with repetitive motions and positions. Some lifting may be required (up to 20-25lbs).

Background Checks: [This position is classified as Safety Sensitive under DHS]. 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). Reference checks and verification of current and/or previous employment are required.

Direct & Indirect Reports: None

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

Other Details:

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

Compensation: The hourly pay range is between $17.95 - $19.01 per hour. The starting pay is based on a step system. A candidate’s starting pay determination is made based on meeting the basic position requirements, and current completed education, credentials, and work experience.

Benefits: Accrued sick and vacation leave. Dental and Vision option.

Location: Washington, DC

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

Website: www.friendshipplace.org

Equal Opportunity Statement: We support all qualified individuals within our workforce without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, 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/