Resident Support Specialist (Full-Time, 3rd Shift | 11:00pm - 7:00am)

United Way of East Central Iowa; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commons on 16th in Cedar Rapids is seeking an Overnight Resident Support Specialist to provide safety, stability, and resident engagement during night hours.

This role focuses on monitoring, incident response, documentation, and coordinating with on-call staff to ensure a secure overnight environment.

Ideal candidates are dependable, detail-oriented, and committed to supporting residents experiencing homelessness or related challenges.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 1 year of experience in human services, housing, shelters, behavioral health, social services, or related field.
• Reliable transportation required.
• Basic computer and documentation skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Provide overnight resident engagement while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• Respond to resident concerns, immediate needs, and non-emergency situations in a timely and professional manner.
• Promote adherence to quiet hours and overnight program expectations.
• Conduct periodic wellness and safety checks in accordance with program procedures.
• Monitor building access and maintain awareness of resident and visitor activity throughout the shift.
• Respond to after-hours incidents and coordinate emergency response procedures when necessary.
• Complete detailed shift notes and document incidents, resident concerns, building activity, and overnight events.
• Prepare overnight summary reports and notify leadership of significant incidents requiring follow-up.

Skills

Strong communication

Calm under pressure

Experience with homelessness/trauma/SM

Independent worker

Organizational skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Basic computer skills

Job description

Be a daily source of support, stability, and connection for residents. The Resident Support Specialist serves as the primary overnight staff presence at The Commons on 16th. This role focuses on maintaining a secure and stable environment through building monitoring, wellness and safety checks, incident response, documentation, and overnight facility oversight. The successful candidate will be dependable, attentive, and committed to supporting residents while ensuring safe and efficient overnight operations.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to remain calm and professional in dynamic environments.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, trauma, mental health concerns, or substance use.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Overnight Resident Support & Monitoring

• Provide supportive and professional resident engagement while maintaining appropriate boundaries during overnight hours.
• Respond to resident concerns, immediate needs, and non-emergency situations in a timely and professional manner.
• Promote adherence to quiet hours and overnight program expectations.
• Conduct periodic wellness and safety checks in accordance with program procedures.

Overnight Building Security & Operations

• Monitor building access and maintain awareness of resident and visitor activity throughout the shift.
• Conduct routine walkthroughs of the facility and identify safety, maintenance, or operational concerns.
• Monitor entry points and ensure exterior doors, common spaces, and restricted areas remain secure.
• Respond to after-hours incidents and coordinate emergency response procedures when necessary.
• Maintain awareness of building occupancy and communicate significant concerns to leadership and on‑call staff.

Documentation & Incident Management

• Complete detailed shift notes and document incidents, resident concerns, building activity, and overnight events.
• Complete required data entry and maintain accurate program records.
• Communicate unresolved concerns and operational updates to incoming staff to ensure continuity between shifts.
• Prepare overnight summary reports and notify leadership of significant incidents requiring follow-up.

Facility Readiness & Transition to Day Shift

• Assist with maintaining clean and organized office and common spaces.
• Support basic facility readiness tasks to prepare the building for morning operations.
• Ensure documentation, supplies, and operational tasks are completed prior to shift transition.
• Participate in team meetings, trainings, and quality improvement activities.

Other Duties

• Support special projects and operational needs of the Commons on 16th.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Preferred: One (1) year of experience working in human services, housing, shelters, behavioral health, social services, or related field.
• Reliable transportation required.
• Basic computer and documentation skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.