Resident Support Specialist

Description

We are seeking compassionate, dependable, and safety-focused Residential Support Specialists to support residents and help maintain a safe, welcoming, and trauma-informed residential environment.

The Resident Support Specialist supports the day-to-day operations of a dual-site residential facility

serving a transitional program for justice-involved women in recovery and women in permanent

supportive housing. This role combines front desk responsibilities, resident support, safety

monitoring, and crisis de-escalation. The Resident Aide is a key member of the team, fostering a

trauma-informed, safe, and supportive environment for all residents and visitors.

A valid Security Officer License is required for this position.

Current Openings

We are currently hiring for the following shifts:

• Two Residential Support Specialists: 4:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
• Two Residential Support Specialists: 12:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
• Two Residential Support Specialists (Saturday & Sunday): 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Overnight Differential: Employees regularly scheduled to work the 12:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. shift are eligible for an overnight shift differential in addition to their regular compensation.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities:

• Greet and assist residents and visitors at the front desk to ensure a welcoming and supportive environment.
• Maintain front desk logs (e.g. visitor logs, Awakenings sign-in log).
• Document and route all resident grievances to the supervisor within 24 hours of receipt.
• Sort, distribute ang log all incoming mail and packages accurately and in a timely manner, ensuring residents receive their deliveries safely and confidentially.
• Provide oversight of food donation deliveries and distribution to residents.
• Conduct wellness checks for residents as needed.
• Ensure the front desk and lobby remain secure and that building entry protocols are followed.
• Investigate source of alarms.
• Complete incident reports for all notable safety concerns, disturbances, or medical/psychiatric issues.
• Conduct 3 safety walkthroughs per shift of all residence floors and shared spaces to monitor for safety, cleanliness, and policy compliance.
• Maintain daily walk-through checklist.
• Promptly flag and report emerging risks (e.g., facility issues, safety concerns, or resident needs) to operations within 24 hours of observation.
• Complete crisis de-escalation and trauma-informed care training within 60 days of hire.
• Respond calmly and supportively to resident concerns and mental health episodes, alerting appropriate personnel as needed.
• Independently de-escalate 90% of minor resident conflicts and crises, utilizing trauma-informed care and de-escalation techniques, without needing case management or operations intervention.
• Attend bi-weekly team meetings to provide updates and raise any resident or operational concerns.
• Participate in shift handovers to ensure continuity of care and support.
• Maintain open and professional communication with property management, case managers, and clinical staff.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Previous experience in residential, recovery, mental health, or justice-involved populations strongly preferred.
• Ability to remain calm in high-stress situations and de-escalate conflicts effectively.
• Excellent interpersonal and cultural competency skills.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
• Strong crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and communication skills.
• Bilingual preferred (but not required).

Licensing and/or Certifications:

• Completion of the NYS 8-Hour Pre-Assignment Training Course (required).
• Completion of the NYS 16-Hour On-the-Job Training Course (preferred).
• Active New York State Security Guard Registration (preferred).
• CPR/First Aid certification (required).

Skills and Attributes:

• Strong documentation and electronic health record skills.
• Good organizational, time management, and communication skills, verbal and written.
• Good at assessment, SMART goal development, advocacy, and solution focused problem solving.
• Knowledge of counseling and social service resources in Westchester County.
• Knowledge of strengths-based approaches, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and housing-first models.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative team.
• Culturally responsive communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to adjust to changing circumstances, whether related to the needs of the residents or program.

Compensation:

$22.00-$24.00 hourly commensurate with experience and qualifications

Employees regularly assigned to the 12:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. overnight shift will receive an overnight shift differential in addition to their regular compensation. (max. $24.00 per hour)

Physical and Environmental Demands

• Use strength to lift items needed to perform the functions of the job.
• Sit and stand for required periods of time.
• Speak and hear.
• Use close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception along with the ability to focus vision.
• Communicate effectively in English, using proper grammar and vocabulary. In certain situations, American Sign Language, Braille, or other language may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Reach with hands and arms and use hands and fingers to manage objects and operate tools, computers, and/or controls.
• May be required to work occasional evenings or weekends.
• Exposure to a variety of childhood and adult diseases and illnesses.
• Occasional exposure to a variety of weather conditions.
• Exposure to heated/air conditioned and ventilated facilities.
• Function in a workplace that is usually moderately noisy but that can be very noisy at times.