Residential Aide Team Leader

Job Details: Job Location: Freedom House 1 - Bronx - Bronx, NY, Position Type: Full-Time Non-Exempt, Salary Range: $24.73 - $24.73Hourly, Title: Residential Aide Team Leader

Unit: Housing Department

Reports to: Director of Residential Aide

Status: Full-Time; Regular; Non-Exempt

Salary: $24.73 per hour (approximately $45,000 annually)

Location: 1171 Washington Avenue, Bronx, NY 10456

Days/Hours: Day and Evening hours

Organization Overview:

The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working for over 57 years to advance our mission: to support successful reentry from incarceration and promote alternatives to incarceration, thereby strengthening the fabric of our communities. The organization has evolved into one of the nation’s preeminent reentry and justice-informed service organizations, providing formerly incarcerated people with the skills and wrap-around services needed to break the cycle of crime and incarceration and to build productive lives in their communities.

Fortune has grown steadily over the years into an agency with a budget of just under $90 million and just under 600 staff. We anticipate that we will keep growing, both in size and depth of service. Fortune has a dual mission: both advocacy and service. The advocacy portion of our mission focuses on building a more just criminal legal system and reducing the barriers to reentry into society. The service side of Fortune has evolved to encompass a broad range of programs that started with employment and education and now includes a robust array of services, among them: alternatives to incarceration, supervised release, court advocacy, discharge planning within correctional facilities, licensed substance use and mental health treatment, a housing continuum ranging from emergency and transitional through permanent congregate and scattered site housing, assistance in obtaining benefits, a care management unit, HIV services, a food and nutrition program, and an arts program. Each service we provide is informed by the needs of the population we serve. Fortune currently serves approximately 14,000 people a year. Our program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally, for their quality and innovation. We have locations in Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens.

Position Summary:

The primary responsibility of the Residential Aide Team Leader is to ensure that the assigned shift completes the designated shift responsibilities daily. The Team Leader will provide support to the Director of Residential Aide, Residential Aide, and Social Service staff. The Team Leader will always lead by example by being on time, in uniform, and prepared to work daily.

Core Competencies

Mission and Fit:

Embodies Fortune’s mission and values and will be an effective member of the team in furthering both. The candidate should exhibit compassion and understanding for our participants (wherever they are in their re-entry process) and embrace Fortune’s core value that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done.

Communication/Social Skills:

Address and be responsive to the concerns of others; manage their verbal, nonverbal, written, and visual language; be an effective listener, observer, and empathetic; intervene in crisis, when necessary, through conflict resolution or mediation; transfer and translate information in our database system and maintain a level of communication between peers and supervisor when appropriate.

Diversity and Inclusiveness:

The RA Team Leader will demonstrate an understanding of and respect for the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion with our clients and staff; be receptive to diverse groups and cultures and engage them effectively; possess an awareness of the impact on marginalized groups.

Professionalism/Work Ethic:

The RA Team Leader will demonstrate personal accountability and effective work habits, including punctuality, working productively with others, and time and workload management. The candidate will also demonstrate integrity and ethical behavior, act responsibly with the interests of the larger community in mind, and learn from their mistakes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Staff Oversight

Provides support and oversight to a team of Residential Aides on their shift, providing training and guidance to ensure they can perform their roles effectively and safely. Monitor staff performance during assigned shifts, provide real-time coaching, ensure shift posts are covered, and communicate staffing or performance concerns to the Residential Aide supervisor in a timely manner.
Assign daily duties, monitor completion of shift tasks, and ensure Residential Aides understand expectations related to post coverage, resident engagement, documentation, and site procedures.
Assist with identifying staffing needs, communicating schedule changes, and supporting continuity of operations across shifts.

Client Support

Assist residents with daily support, lockouts, and basic supplies they may be eligible for.
Promote a respectful, supportive, and trauma-informed environment by responding to resident needs professionally and referring concerns to the appropriate program or social service staff when needed.
Maintain professional boundaries while assisting residents with routine questions, service referrals, crises, and communication with program staff as appropriate.

Shift Coverage: 

The Team Leader is required to actively assist with securing shift coverage for staff call-outs, vacations, scheduled absences, emergencies, and other staffing gaps. If the Team Leader is unable to secure appropriate coverage, they must immediately notify the appropriate supervisor and may be required to provide direct coverage to ensure the site remains adequately staffed, safe, and operational.

Safety & Security

Oversee the facility's physical environment, conduct walk-throughs, and ensure staff, residents, and guests follow safety protocols.
Ensure all incident, emergency, and safety procedures are followed, including timely notification to supervisors and appropriate documentation when unusual incidents, safety concerns, or maintenance issues occur.
Support emergency preparedness by ensuring staff are aware of site protocols, fire safety procedures, visitor expectations, and appropriate response steps during incidents or emergencies.

Issue Resolution

Act as a point person to de-escalate tense situations, resolve client issues as they arise, and serve as a liaison with program staff.
Provide immediate support during resident concerns, staff questions, and shift-related challenges, escalating matters appropriately while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.
Respond to urgent matters during the assigned shift, make appropriate judgment calls within the scope of the role, and ensure supervisors are informed of significant concerns or decisions.

Documentation

Create and submit staff schedules, shift reports, and other necessary documentation, and ensure accurate records of resident activities.
Review shift logs, attendance, incident reports, and daily communication entries for accuracy and completeness, and ensure important information is shared with incoming staff and supervisors.
Communicate shift updates, staffing concerns, resident-related issues, and follow-up needs clearly to supervisors, incoming staff, and relevant program staff to support continuity of care and operations.

Policy Enforcement

Ensure residents comply with all programmatic policies and housing rules.
Reinforce program expectations consistently and professionally, model appropriate workplace conduct, and support Residential Aides in applying policies fairly and respectfully.
Ensure staff follow agency policies, confidentiality expectations, attendance procedures, uniform requirements, and professional conduct standards during assigned shifts.

Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications: Qualifications: 

High school diploma or GED/HSE preferred or related experience.
Experience working in a housing setting and/or providing security services.
Leadership, Teamwork, Conflict Resolution, Organizational skills, Crisis Intervention experience.
Certified in CPR and First Aid is a plus.
FDNY Fire Guard (F-02) and/or Fire Safety and Alarm Coordinator (F80) certification is a plus.
Will be required to obtain CPR and First Aid Certification after employment.
Comfortable with computer-based data entry and using Microsoft Office.
Good written and verbal communication skills are important.
Excellent judgment and conflict resolution skills.

We seek talented, dedicated individuals from all levels of society who possess a strong commitment to this mission. Relevant personal experience is a plus.

Physical Demands:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Can physically monitor hallways of several-floor buildings. The responsibilities and requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensing, experience, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

The Fortune Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of conviction history, race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status, or marital status.