Resident Assistant - Part-Time

Leader Dogs for the Blind, an international organization based in Rochester Hills, Michigan, has been empowering individuals who are blind or low vision for over 85 years. We provide comprehensive guide dog services and orientation and mobility training, equipping individuals with lifelong skills for safe and independent daily travel. Our life-changing work is provided free of charge, and we are 100% philanthropically funded. Our mission is driven by 190 dedicated team members and more than 1,400 volunteers who advocate alongside our clients to create a more equitable world.


Why work at Leader Dogs for the Blind?

• 401k with employer match
• Paid time off front loaded on first day of employment
• Annual merit-based pay increases
• Dog friendly office

SUMMARY

The primary goal of the Resident Assistant position ensures a conscientious and hospitable service to guests, ensuring an enjoyable experience while they are at the facility for training. This position is responsible for ensuring the needs of clients receiving services are being met by providing diligent, high quality customer care.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages all the operational aspects of a front desk process so that team members will respond promptly when clients require ordinary or emergency assistance.
• Safety and emergency management, taking appropriate action to protect the health, safety, and rights of clients, also being able to refer non emergent appropriately.
• Provide for ordinary client needs, including replacing lost items, personal shopping, running errands, helping with correspondence and receiving or mailing items. Assist with local reservations and travel arrangements including directions and GPS units programmed with appropriate guidance to local destinations.
• Answers client calls professionally; sources solutions to appropriate responsible parties.
• Assist with minor dog related issues in class.
• Assist new clients in their orientation to the Residence and campus area.
• Conducts various administrative tasks to support department operations as directed; may also be assigned special projects utilizing desktop tools such as MS Word & Excel.
• Assist Food Services Department on an as needed basis.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

A minimum of a High School diploma or equivalent. Experience in hospitality related customer service required. Fluency in reading, writing and speaking English/Spanish preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Must exemplify Leader Dog values and set the example for being flexible, accommodating and collaborative with all clients and other team members.
• Must possess outstanding customer service and interpersonal skills; communicate with the ability to interact with a variety of people from diverse backgrounds with a positive, upbeat demeanor.
• Must have strong organization skills with attention to detail; be self-directed with the ability to work well under pressure, handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines; exercise professional conduct, understand and follow business ethics and standards and maintain a high level of confidentiality in all duties.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, a sense of diligence, taking initiative and making recommendations in resolving problems.
• Must be proficient in current versions of MS Word, Outlook; basic understanding of Excel Windows XP and/or Windows 7.
• The ability to function effectively as a member of a team, and a willingness to participate in activities and assignments that will benefit other members of the team or will contribute to the accomplishment of team objectives.
• Possesses the ability to work with volunteers for the program.
• Must possess a valid driver's license with no restrictions and the ability to travel independently as needed.
• Must be comfortable with and willing to work around large dogs.
• Must be willing to perform general public relations duties on behalf of Leader Dog (perform tours, answer general questions, be a professional and courteous representative of Leader Dog, etc.).
• Must be able to establish and maintain professional, productive and courteous interactions with employees that promote positive teamwork, as well as with volunteers, donors, students and all constituents of Leader Dog. This encompasses going beyond giving and receiving instructions and includes but is not limited to (a) performing work activities requiring interacting or speaking with others; and (b) responding appropriately to constructive feedback or suggestions for improvement from a supervisor.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, bend, crouch, kneel and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to climb or balance. The employee is occasionally required to sit, use the phone, and drive. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to 75 pounds.

Leader Dogs for the Blind reserves the right to change, amend, add, delete, and otherwise assign any and all duties, responsibilities and position title as it deems necessary to meet the needs of its business.

Leader Dogs for the Blind is an at-will employer. This means that the employment relationship may be ended at any time without notice by the employer or employee for any reason. Neither this document, nor any manual issued by Leader Dogs for the Blind, is a contract of employment.