Resident Advocate

Overview

Why Join Us:
You believe that every person deserves a place to call home. You see that homelessness is a systemic issue and want to be part of the solution. You are ready to utilize your talent, experience, and creativity towards purpose-driven work and to learn, implement, and pioneer best practices alongside industry leaders.

LA Family Housing is a leading non-profit in Homeless Services and Real Estate Development. With over 40 years of experience and 15,000+ people’s lives changed each year, we lead in innovation, best practices, and policy within housing production and homeless services. Join the fight to end homelessness and make a difference in people’s lives at LA Family Housing.

The Position

The Resident Advocate is responsible for being an after-hours presence at LA Family Housing’s Permanent Supportive Housing sites and providing crisis intervention when needed to residents during select hours. This position works with a tenant population that is formerly homeless and has high rates of health, mental health, and substance-related issues; therefore, the Resident Advocate must be familiar with and have experience with this population.

Responsibilities

• Be a welcoming presence onsite for tenants to engage with, answering questions and providing information during select evening and weekend hours
• Coordinate with onsite service staff regarding tenants that need after-hours monitoring, follow-up, or assistance
• Support after-hours programming, tours and participant events
• Identify tenants displaying severe mental health symptoms and promptly contact the Psychiatric Medical Response Team (PMRT) if their behavior is harmful to themselves or others
• Understand each tenant's unique personal and medical needs to provide the best possible support; apply harm reduction and trauma-informed care approaches
• Serve as a mediator in conflicts and attempt to de-escalate anxious or aggressive tenants
• Monitor cameras and respond to participant health and safety concerns in a timely manner
• In emergencies such as health or mental health crises, fire, or unauthorized persons, contact emergency services and notify appropriate individuals and/or after-hours maintenance
• Maintain daily reports, documenting incidents in the HMIS/Champ database system, and report to the Property Management and Service team
• Familiarize yourself with the building lease term and house rules
• Attend regular monthly team meetings/trainings and PSH department meetings as scheduled
• Provide support with after-hours programming, tours, and participant events
• Demonstrate schedule and site location flexibility (multiple sites) and be available to attend monthly meetings every second Thursday from 4-6pm
• Must have flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays at multiple sites
• Additional tasks, projects, and responsibilities as assigned by supervisor

What You're Skilled At

• Fluency in both Spanish and English is advantageous
• Ability to provide crisis intervention services
• Strong advocacy and case management skills
• Proficiency in written and verbal communication
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to follow through on tasks
• Effective problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrate empathy and maintain a non-judgmental attitude with individuals who have recently experienced homelessness
• High tolerance and understanding for individuals with mental health and physical health needs

Other

• Obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid Certification
• Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds
• Ability to pass a Pre-Employment Physical Exam
• Ability to pass post-offer Tuberculosis (TB) clearances
• Regular and prompt attendance in the office is required
• Must have the flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays at multiple sites
• Maintains and handles confidential information according to HIPAA standards
• Respond in a timely manner in all aspects of communication with team members, participants, and partners

Experience

• Experience in dealing with substance abuse, mental health, and crisis intervention is desired

What We Offer

Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 403B Retirement Plan, 529 Education Savings Plan,…