Resident Advisor

POSITION TITLE: Resident Advisor

DEPARTMENT:  Residential Services

REPORTS TO:  Program Coordinator

SALARY:  $19.77/ hour

LOCATION: Avenue Saint John (Bronx)

SHIFT:  Evening

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. Being part of a team inspires long-term transformation and hope.

Job Summary

The Rights of Passage (ROP) Resident Advisor (RA) provides supportive services to up to 20 young people aged 16-21 living in an ROP site in the Bronx and reporting to the Sr. Program Coordinator of the ROP site, the RA is an energetic, creative, and diligent team member who includes case managers and a cadre of specialty staff, including employment/education specialists, housing specialists, youth development staff, and credentialed mental health staff.  RAs will be expected to participate in training and implementation activities for evidence-based and other proven models that will be utilized. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(Responsibilities to include but not limited to the following)

• Youth Engagement and Program Support
  • Directly engages, supervises, and supports youth residing at the ROP site.
  • Ensures that the site, including youths’ rooms, is clean and kept in good and safe condition.
  • Welcomes youth to the site and orients youth to site expectations, CHNY’s mission and principles, and child protection policies and protocols.
  • Assists youth with preparation for the day.  Ensures youth are awake, out of bed, fed, and promptly on their way to work, school, or other activities.
  • Monitor program and client activities to ensure a safe and secure environment. 
  • Cooks or assists in cooking meals for the youth. Engages with youth during mealtimes and works with them to facilitate post-meal cleanup.
  • Assists in keeping the site clean and well-maintained by participating in daily tidying up and facilitating the work of facilities and maintenance staff.    
  • Provides support to Case Managers as needed, including distributing appointment slips, appointment follow-up, paperwork collection and filing, file maintenance, and file compliance.
  • Maintains records in the Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) computer system and enters all required documentation timely.
  • Escorts youth to other agencies and services when necessary (e.g., hospitals, school visits)
  • Maintains healthy, supportive relationships with the youth, mindful of boundaries and mutual respect.
  • Leads and/or participates in recreational and holiday activities at the site and off-site trips.
  • Complete incident reports by the end of the shift and submit them to appropriate parties.
  • De-escalates crises; attends to emergencies following agency protocol, as needed.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• High school, GED, or one year of relevant work experience is required—Bachelor’s Degree Preferred.
• Experience working with at-risk youth is strongly preferred.
• Driver's license preferred—comfortability driving a 7-passenger van a plus.
• Interest in working with youth who have experienced homelessness is required.
• Strong multi-tasking skills are required.
• Positively responds to supervision and coaching.
• 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.
• Flexibility in the work schedule is required, including weekends, evenings, and holidays if needed. Adherence to attendance and punctuality requirements is a must.
• Dedicated to the mission of Covenant House

Benefits

Covenant House New York offers a rich package of benefits including but not limited to:

• Medical

• Vision

• Dental

• Life & Supplemental Life Insurance

• Short and Long-term disability insurance 

• Eligibility for medical benefits begins on the date of hire

• PTO includes three weeks of vacation in the first year, ten holidays, 13 sick days, five personal days, and birthday days off

• 403b with employer contribution after 12 months

Covenant House New York is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation, and we are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment where everyone feels respected and valued. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at deptpeopleandculture@covenanthouse.org.