What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Residential Advocate position at SAN ANTONIO METROPOLITAN MINISTRY Inc?
Job Title: Lead Residential Advocate (RA)
Department: Transitional Housing Services (TLLC)
Reports To: Lindsay Minarovic, LCSW-S, Director of Transitional Services
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Approved by: Gay Lynn Schwenk, Chief Operating Officer
Approved Date: 1/12/2025
SUMMARY
At the Transitional Living & Learning Center (TLLC), we serve families who are experiencing homelessness, who may be survivors of domestic violence, and who have experienced many forms of trauma. As a team, TLLC Staff serve families as they work toward permanent housing in two main capacities: forward thinking, and present-day thinking. Case Management is forward thinking, goal-setting, and preparing for permanent housing after leaving the TLLC. For a Lead Residential Advocate (RA), the primary role is to provide guidance and support to the entire team of RAs as they serve the residents of the TLLC on a day-to-day basis. RAs are the front-line, client-facing staff who assist Residents with their present-day needs, concerns, and safety. RAs also ensure the safety and security of visitors, volunteers and Residents while supporting a welcoming environment. RA’s ensure compliance with the policies, procedures, and protocols of the agency and facility. The RA is also required to perform daily effective environmental scans of the building to ensure cleanliness of the building, track activities of visitors, volunteers, and residents, as well as communicate needs effectively to the team. RAs will engage in providing guidance and teaching of life skills to residents.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Safety and Security
- Provide prompts, reminders, and guidance to the RA Team as you work together to accomplish all Safety and Security tasks,
- Collect and forward all incident reports to the SAMMinistries management team,
- Complete daily rounds of the building and accurately record finding or report immediate concerns in the TLLC Activity Report,
- Ensure compliance and quality assurance through routine review and maintenance of logs, files, and reports,
- Provide coverage of the TLLC Front Desk, monitor security cameras, respond immediately to all phone calls, and take appropriate action in coordination with TLLC Staff and Leadership,
- Respond to visitors’, volunteers’ and residents’ requests, complaints, and inquiries professionally and within expected time frames,
- Ensure that only authorized individuals gain entry to the facility, and maintain the confidentiality and anonymity of families residing at the TLLC,
- Ensure all visitors, volunteers and residents check in and out of the TLLC as prescribed by SAMMinistries policies,
- Ensure all first-time visitors’ and all volunteers’ state identifications are entered into the Raptor System for background check completion, and
- Other duties as assigned.
Environmental Scans
- Provide prompts, reminders, and guidance to the RA Team as you work together to accomplish all Environmental Scans
- Recognize and respond to any significant changes in residents’ behavior or demeanor and document in the TLLC Activity Report, communicate with the TLLC Leadership, case management team, and other appropriate professionals, as necessary
- Maintain an adequate inventory of supplies and distribute to residents as per the TLLC Point System Policy.
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Complete rounds of all areas of the facility to ensure compliance with facility guidelines and policies
- During rounds, scan and recognize necessary program improvements and make suggestions to supervisor
- Conduct room, pantry, and campus health and welfare checks weekly or as needed
Practical Demonstrations of Life Skills
- Provide prompts, reminders, and guidance to the RA Team as you work together to accomplish all Practical Demonstrations of Life Skills
- Assist in ensuring that all residents are aware of all emergency procedures (fire, tornado, & other emergencies)
- Use trauma-informed skills to teach and provide demonstrations of chores, cooking, laundry, and other daily life skills with residents
- Treat residents with dignity and respect, use trauma-informed care, use harm-reduction techniques, and use de-escalation techniques in all interactions with clients
Team-Lead Tasks
- Update the TLLC Fire Evacuation List, Telephone Directory, and Resident Room Spreadsheets on a weekly basis, and send them out to TLLC Leadership
- Communicate with the Program Manager regarding placing new families into vacant rooms
- Coordinate the vacant rooms being cleared out and made ready for new families
- Provide reminders and guidance to the rest of the RA Team for all required tasks
- Model Trauma-Informed and Harm Reduction skills for the RA Team, and provide feedback both directly to RA Team as well as communicate with leadership if the RA Team needs additional guidance on these skills
- Must be trustworthy to work at the TLLC Front Desk for several hours each day with minimal leadership oversight
Other
- Conduct orientation for new residents
- Assemble welcome baskets for new residents
- Attend all mandatory departmental meetings and/or training
- Receive various donations and provide receipt to donors
- Organize and put away donations throughout the facility, while carefully ensuring that we are good stewards of the donated goods
- Ensure all required resident data is input daily
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Lead RA does not have formal supervisory responsibilities of the RA Team and is not responsible for completing performance evaluations of fellow RA Team members. However, the Lead RA is responsible for presenting/gaining approval from the TLLC Director for potential RA Team courses of action to meet team objectives and goals most efficiently. Lead RA responsibilities include more administrative tasks than do responsibilities of other RA Team members (e.g., data entry, reports, schedules, calendar maintenance, etc.). The Lead RA is expected to complete administrative tasks thoroughly and within deadlines and to offer guidance and support for all RA Team members.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The Lead RA must possess the abilities to:
- Communicate verbally and in writing with residents, co-workers, and community members professionally, in a trauma-informed manner, and in accordance with SAMMinistries policies values;
- Work collaboratively with residents and staff to solve problems and accomplish goals;
- Gain a working knowledge of SAMMinistries policies and procedures;
- Represent SAMMinistries to others in the community in a professional, diplomatic, and respectful manner;
- Manage time and effectively prioritize actions to ensure all responsibilities are met;
- Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to adjust and re-prioritize in unusual or crisis situations;
- Effectively and professionally communicate with residents and team members from diverse backgrounds;
- Prepare and maintain accurate written records and documentation within expected time frames;
- Gain and share knowledge regarding community programs that may be of help to those seeking assistance;
- Operate and work effectively in Microsoft Office programs;
- Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists;
- Interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form;
- Demonstrate sound professional judgment and skills in managing stressful situations and crises; and
- Discern and act appropriately in situations that require the assistance and/or approval of direct supervisor or senior organizational leadership.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Associate’s degree in a social service discipline or a Community Health Worker Certification, or at least three years’ work experience in a CLOSELY-RELATED role. An equivalent combination of education and experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness and mental illness may also be deemed sufficient.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Bilingual ability (English/Spanish) is preferred.
REASONING ABILITY
Must be sensitive to the dynamics associated with individuals who are experiencing homelessness. Must be able to react swiftly and effectively to crisis situations. Must possess good conflict resolution skills. Logic and ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
- Valid, unrestricted Texas driver’s license is required;
- Must successfully obtain a Community Health Worker (CHW) Certification within 180 days of hire;
- Successful completion and certification in CPR/First Aid/AED, Trauma Informed Care, Harm Reduction, and Housing Frist training will be required within 90 days of hire.
- Completion of additional training(s) will also be required during employment.
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.
- Normal walking requirements include the ability to move in and around personal workspace and to and from other areas including walking up and down stairs several times each day.
- This position requires that most of the work hours are spent walking around and monitoring multiple floors.
- The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, e.g., office equipment, file boxes, donations, etc.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work environment for this position is primarily indoors, with occasional outdoor activity required for supervision/participation in community events. Operating an agency motor vehicle may also be required on occasion. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Required to work flexible hours to include evenings and weekends. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. This position requires on-site face-to-face contact with clients and program staff.
REMOTE WORK
This position requires the candidate to work during scheduled hours on-site at the Transitional Living and Learning Center. Remote work is not allowed in the Lead RA position.
