Domestic Violence - FT Resident Assistant

The FT Resident Assistant, Domestic Violence Services will support the programs of ACTS that make a difference in the lives of our neighbors in crisis. They are responsible for the safety and comfort of the shelter residents and provide support and trauma-informed care to domestic violence victims using the trauma-informed approach. This position is in charge of managing the daily operations of the shelter and also answering the domestic violence crisis hotline during the shift. The Resident Assistant position is considered essential. Shifts are days and/or overnights including holidays. Flexibility in the schedule is required.  

Benefits and Rewards: 

• Compact work schedule frees up the rest of the week and reduces travel costs.
• Full health insurance options with generous employer contribution for medical and 403(b) matching.
• Paid vacation and sick leave, personal time, paid lunch and Birthday time off!
• Additional time off from December 25 – January 1.
• Serve with highly trained, effective crisis specialists.
• Grow your skills with free, award-winning training.
• Earn CPR, First Aid, Airborne and Blood borne pathogens, Domestic Violence, NARCAN and other certifications.
• Use your talents in a successful organization with over 50 years of significant impact in the community.

Position Title and Department: FT Resident Assistant, Domestic Violence Services 

Salary: $18.50/hour ($19.00/hour for bilingual capability English and Spanish, French or Arabic) 

Reports to: Shelter Supervisor 

Hours per week and Schedule: 37.5 hours per week, (3 shifts of 12.5 hours); 7:30 a.m./p.m. to 8 p.m./a.m. and additional hours for mandatory staff meetings and occasional extra shifts. 

FLSA Classification: Non-exempt  

Essential: Yes; Client Contact Position: Yes 

Driving required: No Personal vehicle required: No 

Location: Dumfries, VA 

Effective Date (of description): 1/17/2025 

Supervisory Responsibilities: None 

Essential Functions: 

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. 

1. Remain on-premises, alert and available to clients for the entire shift unless relieved with supervisor permission.
2. Provide support and trauma-informed care to domestic violence victim shelter residents by using the trauma-informed approach.
3. Provide support, advocacy and crisis intervention when answering the domestic violence crisis hot line, as well as assess high danger calls and place the victim in the shelter when necessary.
4. Maintain case management system, client records, track statistical data relevant to domestic violence victims, and enter data into VADATA and any other assigned data entry system.
5. Attend regular staff meetings and supervision meetings outside of regular shift hours.
6. Oversee the shelter’s daily activities and enforce house rules. Conduct room checks at the beginning of every shift and house checks several times throughout the shift. 
7. Maintain a clean, welcoming, warm, residential environment. Prepare facilities for clients including cleaning rooms, ensuring bathrooms are stocked with clean towels and toiletries, and vacant rooms are sanitized and ready for new residents. Daily sanitation of common areas is required and other parts of the shelter when necessary. 
8. Conduct intake process in accordance with shelter procedures and work with specialists and case managers when receiving clients into the shelter. Orient new residents by conducting a RA intake and reviewing shelter rules, chores, giving a tour of the shelter, and ensuring they have basic personal care items and any other necessities.
9. Assist residents with daily needs such as dispensing supplies like medication, baby care items, personal care items, and food from locked areas of the kitchen and by coordinating cab services when needed.
10. Prepare and monitor the chore chart. Ensure chores are assigned and completed and issue warnings when necessary.
11. Assist case managers with small tasks to help clients meet their goals and end the cycle of violence.
12. Assist residents in the planning of meals and preparing/cooking meals for all house residents, when needed. 
13. Organize, sort, put away, and distribute donations.
14. Conduct exit interviews in accordance with shelter procedures.
15. Report to the Shelter Supervisor and/or Director when repairs are needed, or equipment needs to be replaced. 

1. Be a part of and abide by the requirements of the shelter on-call schedule. Flexibility is required.
2. Complete 40 hours of sexual assault and/or domestic violence intervention training annually (provided by ACTS the first year) and other essential internal and external training as required.
3.  Perform other duties as assigned

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  

• Excellent team orientation. demonstrated with a positive attitude self-motivation and resourcefulness. 
• Strong client-orientation and compassion.
• Strong dedication to maintaining confidentiality.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries in working with clients.
• Ability to present a professional, courteous and helpful demeanor to clients, co-workers and the public. 

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Bilingual capability (English and Spanish, French or Arabic)

Education and Experience: 

• High School Diploma or equivalent, required
• Experience dealing with domestic violence victims, complex trauma services or homelessness, preferred
• Coursework in higher education in any human service field (trauma, counseling, social work), preferred

Physical Requirements: Ability to meet the following physical requirements: including but not limited to bending, squatting, pushing/pulling/lifting up to 50 pounds, twisting, kneeling and standing/sitting for long periods of time. 

Other duties:  

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy 

ACTS provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. 

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. 

Drug-Free Workplace Policy 

The unlawful or unauthorized use, abuse, solicitation, theft, possession, transfer, purchase, sale or distribution of controlled substances (including medical marijuana), drug paraphernalia or alcohol by an individual anywhere on Organization premises, while on Organization business (whether or not on Organization premises) or while representing the Organization, is strictly prohibited. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action, up to and including discharge.