Direct Care Worker

Position Summary

The Direct Care Worker / Residential Support Staff member is responsible for providing direct support, supervision, and assistance to residents in the organization's residential program.

This position is responsible for maintaining a safe, clean, structured, and supportive residential environment; enforcing established house rules; assisting residents with daily needs; providing transportation when authorized; monitoring the facility; responding to incidents; and communicating important resident and household information to case management and program leadership.

The Direct Care Worker is an essential part of the residential team and works closely with the Case Manager / Housing & Program Coordinator to support resident stability, safety, independence, and successful transition to permanent housing.

Essential Responsibilities Resident Support

• Provide respectful, professional, and person-centered support to residents.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with all residents.
• Assist residents with daily routines and basic activities as appropriate.
• Encourage residents to maintain independence and participate in household responsibilities.
• Monitor resident needs and communicate concerns to the Case Manager or supervisor.
• Support residents in following their individualized service goals as directed by the Case Manager.
• Treat all residents with dignity, respect, and professionalism.

House Rules and Resident Accountability

• Enforce established house rules consistently, fairly, and respectfully.
• Explain house rules and expectations to residents as needed.
• Monitor compliance with curfews, visitor policies, cleanliness requirements, substance-use policies, quiet hours, and other program rules.
• Address routine rule violations according to established policies and procedures.
• Document violations, concerns, and corrective actions as required.
• Immediately report serious violations, safety concerns, threats, or other significant incidents to the appropriate supervisor.
• Do not use threats, intimidation, retaliation, or inappropriate disciplinary practices.

House Operations

• Maintain a clean, safe, sanitary, and orderly residential environment.
• Conduct routine cleaning of common areas, bathrooms, kitchen areas, and other designated spaces.
• Complete daily household checks.
• Monitor common areas and identify safety, sanitation, security, or maintenance concerns.
• Check that doors, windows, appliances, utilities, and common areas are functioning appropriately.
• Monitor household supplies and notify the appropriate staff when supplies need to be replenished.
• Report maintenance problems promptly.
• Assist with basic organization and upkeep of the property.
• Follow all established emergency, fire-safety, sanitation, and facility procedures.

Daily Checks and Monitoring

• Complete required daily residential checks.
• Monitor resident presence and general well-being.
• Document required observations and activities.
• Identify and report unusual behavior, health or safety concerns, conflicts, or other significant changes.
• Conduct scheduled walkthroughs of designated areas of the residence.
• Ensure required logs and checklists are completed accurately.

Transportation

• Provide transportation for residents when authorized and when transportation is part of the resident's service plan or program responsibilities.
• Transport residents to approved appointments, housing-related activities, community resources, shopping, employment-related activities, and other authorized destinations.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries while transporting residents.
• Follow all traffic laws and organizational transportation policies.
• Maintain a valid driver's license and acceptable driving record if required for the position.
• Maintain required vehicle insurance and use only authorized vehicles for resident transportation.
• Complete required transportation logs and documentation.

Visitor Management

• Monitor and manage visitors in accordance with established program policies.
• Follow visitor sign-in and sign-out procedures.
• Verify visitors when required by program policy.
• Ensure visitors comply with applicable house rules.
• Monitor visiting hours and designated visiting areas.
• Report unauthorized visitors or visitor-related incidents immediately.
• Document significant visitor issues or violations.
• Protect resident privacy and confidentiality when managing visitors.

Basic Meal Preparation

• Assist with basic meal preparation and household meal routines as assigned.
• Prepare simple, safe, and appropriate meals.
• Follow food-safety and sanitation procedures.
• Maintain clean kitchen and food-preparation areas.
• Monitor basic food supplies and communicate shortages to the appropriate staff.
• Encourage residents to participate in appropriate household meal and kitchen responsibilities when consistent with program policy.

Incident Response and Reporting

• Respond appropriately to routine and emergency situations.
• Follow established emergency and crisis-response procedures.
• Contact emergency services when necessary.
• Immediately notify the appropriate supervisor of serious incidents.
• Complete incident reports accurately and promptly.
• Document facts objectively and avoid speculation.
• Report safety concerns, injuries, threats, property damage, suspected abuse or neglect, rule violations, or other significant events according to organizational policy.
• Cooperate with follow-up investigations and documentation requirements.

Documentation

• Complete daily shift notes and residential logs.
• Document resident interactions and significant observations as required.
• Complete incident reports and transportation logs.
• Document house-rule violations and visitor issues when applicable.
• Complete daily property and safety checklists.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records.
• Ensure documentation is factual, professional, and completed within required timeframes.

Communication With Case Management

• Maintain regular communication with the Case Manager / Housing & Program Coordinator.
• Communicate relevant resident concerns, progress, behavioral changes, conflicts, and needs.
• Report information that may affect a resident's service plan or housing transition.
• Communicate maintenance, safety, household, and operational concerns.
• Participate in staff meetings and case coordination meetings when requested.
• Follow appropriate communication and reporting procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality when sharing resident information.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous experience in residential services, social services, caregiving, behavioral health, homeless services, supportive housing, or a related field preferred.
• Experience working with adults experiencing homelessness or housing instability is preferred.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to remain calm and professional during stressful situations.
• Ability to complete accurate written and electronic documentation.
• Dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Basic computer skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Transportation Requirements

If transportation is an essential function of the position, the employee must:

• Possess a valid driver's license.
• Maintain an acceptable driving record.
• Maintain any required vehicle insurance.
• Successfully complete any required driving or motor-vehicle background check.
• Follow all organizational transportation policies.
• Complete any required transportation or defensive-driving training.

Required Pre-Employment Requirements

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of applicable organizational requirements, which may include:

• Criminal background check.
• Motor-vehicle record check, if driving is required.
• Employment and/or professional reference checks.
• Required organizational orientation and training.
• Resident-rights and confidentiality training.
• Emergency-response and safety training.
• CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to obtain certification.
• Any additional training required by the program, funding source, or applicable regulations.

Work Schedule

This is a part-time residential position. The employee may be scheduled for:

• Day shifts
• Evening shifts
• Weekend shifts
• Holiday shifts
• Other shifts based on program needs

Because this is a residential program, reliable attendance and punctuality are essential.

Physical Requirements

The employee must be able to move throughout the residential facility, perform routine housekeeping and meal-preparation duties, conduct property checks, assist with daily residential operations, and respond appropriately to emergencies.

Confidentiality and Professional Conduct

The Direct Care Worker must maintain strict confidentiality regarding residents and program operations. The employee must maintain professional boundaries, respect resident dignity and privacy, and follow all organizational policies and applicable program requirements.

Pay: $17.00 - $19.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20.0 – 30.0 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Work Location: In person