Resident Advisor

About Covenant House New York

Join a Legacy of Hope and Empowerment at Covenant House New York!

For over 50 years, Covenant House New York (CHNY) has been at the forefront of transforming lives by providing comprehensive shelter, housing, and wrap-around support services for vulnerable homeless, runaway, and exploited youth. As the largest provider of these essential services in New York City, CHNY impacts the lives of over 1,500 young people aged 16-24 every year.

At CHNY, our doors are open to all young people in need, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. Our dedicated team offers various services, including shelter, housing, education, employment, health, mental health support, youth development, and anti-human trafficking initiatives. We operate with harm reduction and trauma-informed principles to ensure the best care for our youth.

But our mission goes beyond immediate support. We are passionate advocates for systemic change, influencing public policy, and raising awareness of the critical issues surrounding youth homelessness. Our ultimate goal is to provide a safe refuge and empower young people to build a brighter future founded on compassion, unconditional love, and absolute respect.

Join us in making a difference in the lives of countless young people. Join a team that inspires long-term transformation and hope.

About the role

The Resident Advisor provides all Youth Shelter residents with holistic and comprehensive supportive services in a positive, nurturing environment using an integrated, multidisciplinary team approach. Reporting to the CHNY Program Coordinator and Direct Service Manager, the Resident Advisor will support a culture that successfully achieves meaningful results for the young people we serve.

What you'll do

• Provide direct engagement, supervision, and support to youth residing in shelters.
• Operate fully out of CHNY's mission, vision, and five principles, and maintain an environment that displays this culture.
• Ensure that the floor and rooms are clean, safe, and well-lit in preparation for the new youth entering the program and remain serviceable throughout their residency.
• Monitor program and client activities to ensure a safe and secure environment. This includes securing the unit in the event of an altercation, conducting room searches in accordance with CHNY policy, and assisting in the evacuation during drills and emergencies.
• Welcome the youth to the floor and orient the youth to the floor expectations, the Mission Statement, and the five principles.
• Assist youth with preparation for the day. Support youth in life skills, e.g., laundry, ironing, and cleaning.
• Provide support to Case Managers as needed, distribute appointment slips, appointment follow-up, collection and filing of paperwork, assist with file maintenance and compliance,
• Must have an understanding of the youth service plan.
• Maintain ETO records and document all youth activities and meaningful interactions using the S.O.A.P. format.
• Escort youths to other agencies and services when necessary (e.g., hospitals, mass transit).
• Conducted room searches for Youth Shelter residents after emergency evacuations to ensure everyone was safely off the floor.
• Create a sanctuary for youth on the floor.
• Provide direct support and monitoring when escorting youth to clothing rooms, eating in the cafeteria, and participating in recreation, group, and special events.
• Directly engage with youth at all levels of service, i.e., Be where the youth are
• Maintain healthy relationships with the youth, mindful of boundaries and mutual respect.
• Conduct nightly meetings focused on CHNY Mission and Principles, motivation, mutual support, and community building.
• Conduct workshops on various life-skill issues, such as hygiene, anger management, self-esteem, problem-solving, cleaning, and laundry.
• Complete all incident reports fully and correctly by the end of the shift and submit them to the appropriate parties.
• Participate in all required training, supervision, and staff meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned/needed.

Qualifications

• High School/GED with three or more years of relevant work experience required. Bachelor's Degree Preferred. 
• Experience working with at-risk/homeless young females is strongly preferred; interest in working with this population is required.
• 8-hour security license required (Covenant House will provide to candidates who accept employment and do not have this licensure)
• Driver's license preferred—comfortability driving a 7-passenger van is a plus.
• Strong multi-tasking skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects at once are required.
• Excellent verbal, written, and problem-solving abilities, willingness and ability to move throughout the day, and an upbeat, creative, and fun demeanor are required.
• A strong focus on child protection and ensuring the safety of residents is required.
• Ability to work in a rapidly changing environment where processes and protocols are being developed and refined as the program operates.
• Overall flexibility in work schedule required, including weekends and holidays if needed.
• Dedicated to the mission of Covenant House.
• A demonstrated passion for Covenant House New York

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