Residential Support Specialist

LE_001 New Narrative; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

New Narrative is seeking a Residential Support Specialist to join our Portland, OR team. The role collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to support residents in mental health residential programs, guiding skills development in daily living, life skills, and therapeutic activities.

Responsibilities include maintaining a clean, organized environment and participating in group activities. The position is full-time with a Tuesday–Saturday day shift (7am–3pm).

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age and capable of implementing emergency procedures.
• CPR certification and Naloxone administration are relevant to the role.
• QMHA credentials are preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Engage residents to support movement toward goals and transition planning using strength-based approaches.
• Support autonomy and residents’ rights within Team Based Care and staff meetings.
• Provide hands-on support for ADLs/iADLs, appointments, hygiene, and medication management.
• Deliver habilitative services including daily living skills, behavioral and communication training.
• Assist in crisis intervention using nonviolent de-escalation techniques and conflict navigation.
• Help with meal preparation and opportunities for skills training; participate in group activities and community engagement.

Skills

Emergency procedures

Independent worker

CPR/Naloxone readiness

Education

High School Diploma/GED

QMHA credentials preferred

CPR certification preferred

Job description

At New Narrative, we believe mental health care is community care. As a nonprofit organization, we partner with individuals to promote healing, housing stability, and long-term wellness through compassionate, equitable support. If you’re passionate about community impact, we invite you to join our team.

Full Time Position Expected Schedule: Tuesday - Saturday, Day Shift: 7am - 3pm

Purpose: (General description and summary)

The Residential Support Specialist (RSS) collaborates as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide a seamless delivery of services to residents in our mental health residential treatment programs. As residents work toward individual goals, the RSS engages in intentional skills building. Areas of focus may include activities of daily living, life skills, and therapeutic interventions. The RSS is also responsible for ensuring a clean and organized environment.

Resident Support

• Actively engage with residents to support movement toward goals and transition planning using strength‑based and person‑centered approaches.
• Centers resident experiences including maximum level of autonomy and personal rights.
• Actively participate in Team Based Care, including collaboration and participation in staff meetings.
• Provide hands‑on support to residents as needed in completing activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living such as (but not limited to) attending appointments, completing household tasks, maintaining hygiene, maintaining continence, bathing, toileting, dressing, eating and managing medication.
• Provides and actively engages residents in habilitative services, including but not limited to activities of daily living, behavioral management skills, communication skills training, community navigation, financial literacy, emotional regulation skills, instrumental activities of daily living, positive behavioral support, social engagement skills training, and structured routines.
• Assists in crisis intervention utilizing nonviolent de‑escalation techniques.
• Supports residents in navigating distress and conflict.
• Adheres to medication management protocol.
• Remains constantly alert to changes in medication.
• Responsible for meal preparation and providing opportunities for skills training.
• Provides and facilitates group activities and community engagement.
• Understands and complies with Oregon Administrative Rules which include Home and Community Based mental health services.

Facility Operations

• Facilitates fire drills and emergency procedures as assigned or as needed.
• Completes Safety and Sanitation Checklists twice monthly.
• Responsible for the health and safety of the house, seeing that the house is clean, orderly, and safe. This may include exposure to biohazardous, pests or unsafe materials.
• Maintains the cleanliness of food storage areas, common areas, and employee office.
• Completes all shift duties as assigned.
• Communicates maintenance and supply needs.

Documentation

• At the end of each shift ensure all documentation (engagement notes, shift notes, EMAR, communication log, incident reports, etc.) is complete in each resident chart, following policy and Oregon Administrative Rules.
• Completes all incident reports by end of shift.
• Ensures narcotic count is updated during each narcotic medication pass as well as completes shift change documentation.

Other General Expectations

• Must maintain active CPR certification at all times.
• Staff must remain awake and alert at all times on shift.
• Completes tasks assigned by program leadership.
• Fulfills all onboarding requirements and trainings within timelines outlined in New Narrative policy and procedures.
• Must have a criminal records clearance through the State Mental Health Division prior to starting employment.
• Will not work over 40 hours per week unless authorized by a supervisor.
• Will report to work promptly and will adhere to all scheduling and attendance policies.
• Attend and participate in all required meetings and trainings.
• Follows all agency policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Maintains security of confidential information.

Residential Support Specialists can be temporarily reassigned from their scheduled site to cover other residential treatment programs, as directed by a member of the residential leadership team. This position requires work in residential treatment programs that may present exposure to communicable diseases, parasites, insects, pests, environmental hazards, and unsanitary conditions. Potential exposures may include influenza, COVID‑19, scabies, lice, bed bugs, mold, bodily fluids, and other infectious or environmental hazards. Employees must adhere to agency safety procedures, infection prevention practices, and required use of personal protective equipment. Employees may encounter conditions not specifically listed above and are expected to comply with all agency health and safety instruction.

Positions Reporting

None

Education/Certificates/Licenses/Registration

• High School Diploma/GED required.
• QMHA credentials preferred.
• Current CPR certification preferred.

Experience/Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age and capable of implementing emergency procedures and disaster plan.
• Must be able to administer CPR and Naloxone (Narcan).
• Must be comfortable working independently.

Impact

New Narrative residential operations are an essential part of New Narrative’d overall continuum of services. As a New Narrative employee, Residential Support Specialists will help to ensure best practices, positive outcomes, and quality of service.

All of our job openings are located in Portland, Oregon, and the surrounding metro areas. At New Narrative, we're dedicated to empowering people on their mental health journeys. We provide compassionate, person-centered services that foster stability, connection, and independence — helping individuals build meaningful lives in their communities. Through supportive housing, community-based programs, and collaborative care, we walk alongside the people we serve as they build resilience, strengthen relationships, and create new possibilities for their futures.

Looking for work that has purpose? Join a compassionate team dedicated to empowering people in their mental health journeys while building a meaningful, rewarding career.