Shelter Resident Support (4pm-Midnight) - Evening

As a Shelter Resident Support at Friends of Switchpoint, you'll primarily handle the day-to-day management of clients, conduct interviews for service admissions, and oversee safety protocols. Your role will involve crisis intervention, managing medication protocols, supporting meal preparations, and maintaining appropriate professional boundaries with residents. Additionally, you will be responsible for documenting interactions and activities to ensure smooth operation within the shelter.

To be successful as a Shelter Resident Support at Friends of Switchpoint, candidates should understand and implement the organization’s mission and values. Strong interpersonal skills and a background in customer service are essential, along with the ability to actively listen to residents' needs. Previous experience in a supportive role within social services, along with familiarity with crisis management, will be advantageous.

The Shelter Resident Support position at Friends of Switchpoint operates on a part-time basis, with shifts scheduled from 4pm to Midnight. The role requires availability for two to three shifts per week, including weekends, to ensure residents receive consistent support during evening hours.

Friends of Switchpoint prioritizes the safety and security of its clients through comprehensive protocols, including daily perimeter checks, monitoring surveillance cameras, and maintaining a daily log of occurrences. Shelter Resident Support staff are trained to handle security issues swiftly, and to report any concerns to the appropriate authorities, ensuring a secure environment for all residents.

The compensation for the Shelter Resident Support position at Friends of Switchpoint ranges from $16 to $18 per hour, depending on experience. While the role is part-time, it offers valuable experience and the chance to make a significant impact in the community, as well as working within a diverse, equal-opportunity environment.

When answering this question, focus on your ability to remain calm and grounded, demonstrating empathy toward residents in distress. Describe specific strategies you employ, such as active listening, assessing the situation, and working collaboratively with clients to create safety plans that suit their unique needs.

Explain your approach to conflict resolution and patience, emphasizing the importance of open communication. Share how you would clarify the expectations, listen to the resident’s concerns, and work together towards a solution that respects their autonomy while ensuring the safety of the community.

Highlight qualities such as compassion, such as the ability to remain non-judgmental and understanding toward residents. Illustrate how having strong interpersonal skills allows you to connect effectively and support individuals as they navigate their circumstances.

Discuss how you use organizational tools, such as creating to-do lists or prioritizing urgent tasks. Sharing an example from your past experience can demonstrate your ability to remain focused and effective, even when faced with competing demands.

Explain your approach to maintaining detailed and precise records. Emphasize the importance of entering data promptly, using understandable language, and confirming that all information is compliant with organizational protocols to maintain confidentiality and accountability.

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to provide a clear example. Emphasize your role within the team, how you communicated open lines of feedback, and what you learned from the experience to foster teamwork and cooperation.

Be honest about your motivations and share personal stories or experiences that have shaped your understanding and empathy. Showing an emotional connection to the mission of Friends of Switchpoint can convey your genuine commitment to the role.

Describe your understanding of ADA requirements and the importance of individual needs. Share your approach to assessing each resident's requirements and how you would work alongside management to provide necessary resources and support.

Discuss how you would foster a culture of respect and positive engagement, such as promoting community meetings or organizing activities that encourage connection and inclusivity among residents. Highlight your proactive approach to addressing conflicts before they escalate.

Mention your commitment to professional development through continuous learning, such as attending workshops, reading literature concerning social work, and engaging with local community resources. Highlight how this knowledge can enhance your performance as a Shelter Resident Support at Friends of Switchpoint.