Resident Aide | A Step to Freedom | Handshake

A Step to Freedom; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A Step to Freedom in Los Angeles is seeking a dedicated Resident Aide to support clients with daily living, housing retention, and access to resources. You are the accessible point-of-contact for clients, staff, volunteers, and external contacts, helping create a safe, home-like environment that promotes well-being.

This role requires trauma-informed care, crisis management, coordination with case managers, assistance with meals and activities, and routine safety checks.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness/housing instability and/or mental illness.
• Knowledge of housing-first, harm reduction, and trauma-informed care principles.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; strong organizational abilities.
• Ability to work with diverse populations in a compassionate, professional manner.

Responsibilities

• Monitor up to 24 site clients, maintaining a safe, drug- and alcohol-free environment.
• Assist with meals, activities, and daily living tasks while ensuring site cleanliness and safety.
• Coordinate with case managers, supervisors, and external service providers.
• Respond to emergencies, de-escalate conflicts, and follow established protocols.

Skills

Reading and writing

Interpersonal skills

Crisis intervention

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

RESIDENT AIDE JOB DESCRIPTION

SUMMARY: The primary goal of all Resident Aides is to assist the A Step to Freedom organization in carrying its mission of providing support to clients and offering assistance in the areas of daily living and helping clients with accessing resources. The Residential Aide is the accessible point-of-contact for clients, staff, volunteers, and agency contacts, and thus must be skilled at problem-solving client issues, crisis situations, and facility emergencies. The Residential Aide plays a key role in creating a safe home-like environment for clients that promotes community and well-being. RAs will assist with life skills training, housing retention, and community activities as needed. This position reports directly to the Program Manager.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Monitor and oversee the activities of up to 24 site clients. Possess an attitude of "people centered", positivity and flexibility, using a trauma informed approach. Orient new clients to house rules/protocols (i.e. smoking area, curfew, parking, etc.). Monitor daily medication compliance. Report activities in daily logs and overnight passes. Maintain the cleanliness and well-being of the house and clients. Manage shift duties to ensure the site is clean, safe, and drug/alcohol free. Conduct regular head counts to ensure that all clients are accounted for. Perform hourly interior checks on the rooms to make sure that clients have completed their duties and all rooms are clean. Perform daily structural and appliance checks to make sure all electronics are functioning and in working order. Serve meals prepared by the kitchen. Ensure site safety by conducting rounds throughout the perimeter of the site and keep the outside gates closed throughout the day. Note all incidents, emergencies and occurrences in Incident Report Form. Make sure site is stocked with supplies. Keeping track of program activities. Perform routine bag checks to ensure site safety and sustain a drug free site. Use harm reduction models to support clients in regard to substance abuse. Respond appropriately to emergencies, including medical or behavioral health situations. De-escalate conflicts and respond to crises following established protocols. Coordinate with case managers, supervisors, and external service providers. Assist with meal prep, serving, and group activities as needed. Perform additional duties as assigned by the Program Manager/Site Supervisor.

Job Type

Part-time/Full-timeOther RequirementsUp to date TB test Clearing Resident Aid to Work with at risk clientsFood Handler CertificationExperience working with mental health, criminal legal system and/or homeless population (Required)

Qualifications

Ability to read and write at High School level and or High School diploma, GED. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with vulnerable populations and team members in a compassionate and professional manner. Minimum 1 year experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness/housing instability and or mental illness individuals. Knowledge of housing-first, harm reduction, trauma-informed care principles. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong organizational, detail and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse races, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expression, socio-economic backgrounds, religions, ages, English-speaking abilities, immigration status, and physical abilities in a multicultural environment.

Physical Requirements

The employee is expected to move about the worksite throughout the day, which involves walking, standing, and climbing stairs. The employee is expected to carry maximum of 50lbs.

About A Step to Freedom

We offer an inclusive environment where all are empowered to share their diverse perspectives and experiences so we can ultimately be better together. Our policies, practices, programs, activities and decisions regarding employment, hiring, assignment, compensation, and volunteerism are not based on a person's race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, mental or physical disability, ancestry, military discharge status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, parental status, housing status, or other protected status. A Step to Freedom is an at-will employer, meaning we or our employees have the right to terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without cause.

Acknowledgment and Understanding

I acknowledge that I have received and reviewed the job description for the position of Resident Aide at A Step to Freedom. I understand the duties and responsibilities outlined in this document and agree to perform them to the best of my ability. I also understand that this job description is not exhaustive and that additional duties may be assigned as the role evolves and the needs of the organization change. A Step to Freedom reserves the right to modify this job description at any time to better align with operational requirements.