Job Information
St. Catherine's Center for Children Resident Assistant, Overnight - Marillac in Albany, New York
About Our Organization:
St. Catherine’s Center for Children is a leading non-profit organization in New York’s Greater Capital District. Our comprehensive range of human services reach more than 1,000 children, 600 families, and hundreds of adults across Upstate New York each year. Our multi-faceted programs are designed to offer hope, foster growth, and improve the lives of the children, families, and adults we serve. We offer residential and therapeutic foster care programs for children and youth, Kinship support, homeless and community-based services for adults and families, a special education elementary school for ages 5-13, and so much more.
St. Catherine’s employs more than 300 full and part-time staff. Our spectrum of services for children, families and individuals suffering from the lasting effects of abuse and neglect, family instability, mental illness, homelessness and other ongoing traumas, continues to grow. We are committed to cultivating a culture where all employees can bring their authentic and best selves to the workplace. Our DEI-B initiatives are designed to support and build a more equitable, inclusive and diversified workplace, one which exemplifies true respect and dignity.
Position Overview:
The Overnight Resident Assistant (RA) assists families in service plan implementation by obtaining and providing feedback regarding their progress toward service plan goals. The RA performs overnight tasks necessary for maintaining the physical appearance and overall cleanliness of the property and buildings. Responsible to provide continued respect, support, and care, and a family atmosphere for clients of the facility and fellow staff members. Strives to ensure a safe, secure, healthy, clean and positive environment for client families as they make their transition from homelessness through after-care.
Duties & Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Perform general custodial, cleaning and care of floors, windows, walls and other areas as assigned, including seasonal yard work (courtyard clean up), including snow removal, and shoveling the front of the facility and courtyard; and other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Establish and maintain professional working relationships with residents, keeping appropriate personal boundaries; establish and maintain professional working relationships with staff members, in accordance with all agency procedures, policies, and practices.
Ensure a safe, secure, healthy, and clean environment by making rounds of the property, both interior and exterior, and reporting situations which need attention; provide follow-up as needed.
Document interactions with families using critical incident reports, intake information forms, progress note section of case files, log, etc.
Respect the rights of others and protect all confidential information.
Intervene in crisis situations and assist with conflict resolution by providing mediation and facilitating communication, as needed.
Participate in professional development programming, on a regular basis, at request of supervisor.
Participate in Monthly Staff Meetings.
Clearly communicate concerns and suggestions to supervisor.
Maintain CPR/First Aid Certification.
Actively contribute to the maintenance of a “client supportive” and respectful community.
Manage reception desk and telephone as overnight reception is needed.
Additional position-related duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor/ director.
Organizational Relationships:
Work under the direct supervision of the Residential Assistant Supervisor.
Maintain a team oriented, collaborative approach with other RAs and other shelter staff.
Essential Functions:
Must have a Clean and Valid New York State Driver’s License; be actively licensed for at least one year, and have the ability to meet criteria as outlined in the Policy for Agency Drivers.
Ability to relate to and communicate with a wide range of people. This includes but is not limited to a broad range of people who are culturally and socio- economically diverse, as well as people with various developmental and functional levels.
Proficiency in various computer applications: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Business Workspace Suite (Gmail, Google Docs, Meet, Sheets, etc.); and secure Internet practices.
Ability to handle sensitive data with strict confidentiality;
Great communication and interpersonal skills; with empathy for those in need;
Demonstrated patience, flexibility and adaptability.
Excellent organization, planning and time management skills.
Self-motivated and engaged, with a strong attention to detail; Excellent writing aptitude.
Must possess excellent communication skills (written and verbal); outstanding interpersonal skills, and the ability to build strong working relationships with other agency staff and other regulatory bodies.
Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times, stressful environment.
Must have patience, flexibility and adaptability; be capable of exhibiting empathy for those in crisis.
Value a nurturing family as the ideal environment for a person; and have confidence in the principle that people have the capacity to grow and change at their own pace and motivation.
Ability to understand, communicate, represent and carry out the mission, values, philosophy and policies of St. Catherine’s Center for Children.
Capable of conducting oneself in a manner that is becoming of an employee of St. Catherine’s Center for Children.
Ability to organize and effectively manage, in a timely fashion, the varied tasks of the position.
Ability and conceptualizations necessary to embrace and work effectively within a therapeutic-based program.
The ability to establish a respectful relationship with persons served to help them gain skills and confidence, empowering them to solve their own problems.
Ability to work effectively in a shared decision-making model as a team member, which includes the capacity to listen attentively to others, to share one’s opinions and perspective, and to resolve disagreements respectfully.
Ability to work collaboratively with other personnel and service providers or professionals.
The capacity to maintain a helping role and to intervene appropriately to assist in meeting service goals, while setting appropriate limits and boundaries.
Ability to exercise ethical, independent judgment and discretion; handle sensitive data with strict confidentiality.
Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times, stressful environment.
Excellent organization, planning and time management skills.
The ability to meet all HIPAA requirements and maintain strict client confidentiality is essential.
Position Specifications:
High School diploma or GED required; College preferred
Must have a Clean and Valid New York State Driver’s License; be actively licensed for at least one year, and have the ability to meet criteria as outlined in the Policy for Agency Drivers.
Experience in basics of cleaning techniques; physically capable of performing heavy work
Self-confidence; mature inter-personal style, with good judgment and decision-making ability
Ability to tolerate frustration of residents disturbing cleaned areas, and be willing to learn new/different cleaning techniques when appropriate
Ability to transport clients to appointments as needed
Experience or Formal Crisis Intervention Training, with the ability to respond effectively and therapeutically in crisis situations is a plus
Previous experience working in a human services agency is helpful
Must be willing and able to work in close proximity with the clients we serve
Ability to pass required pre-employment background checks, to include fingerprinting, is required.
What We Offer*:
Competitive Pay with an Excellent Benefits Package
Health Insurance options*: Medical, Dental and Vision
Generous Combined Leave Time and 10 Paid Holidays*!
$500 Employee Referral Bonus*
Professional Development & Career Growth Opportunities
We are a 501(c) (3) agency, which is a qualifying employer for eligible staff under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program*
Pension Plan with Aggressive Agency contribution*
Life Insurance – Automatic Benefit, at no cost to you!
Paid Training* including TCI and CPR/AED/First Aid Certification Update courses, if role appropriate
Tuition Reimbursement*
Travel/ Mileage Reimbursement*
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
The Comfort of a Business Casual Environment.
*To qualify, certain conditions may apply
Background Checks: We run a thorough and complete pre-employment background check on all candidates being considered for a position, this includes fingerprinting. All candidates must successfully clear the pre-employment background check process, which follows NYS/DOJ requirements. We pay for all pre-employment background checks!
EEO Statement: St. Catherine’s Center for Children is committed to creating a diverse environment and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, reproductive health and pregnancy, family history and genetics, disability, age, military status, veteran status, politics, or other beliefs, and any other characteristics protected by law.