Director of Residential Aides

Title: Director of Residential Aides

Unit: Housing - Congregate

Reports to: Senior Director of Congregate Housing

Status: Full Time; Regular; Exempt

Salary range: $80,000 to $85,000

Location: Brooklyn and Bronx

Days/hours: Varies

Organization Overview:

The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working for almost 60 years in service to our mission: to support successful reentry from incarceration and promote alternatives to incarceration, thus 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 to an agency with over $100 million in annual budget with approximately 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 outpatient 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, an arts program, lifetime aftercare, policy and advocacy through our David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy, and research through our Center for Research, Inquiry and Social Justice. Each service we provide is informed by the needs of the population we serve. Fortune currently serves approximately 20,000 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 Director of Residential Aides is responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of residents, guests, and staff. This role helps create a welcoming, respectful, and secure environment through resident and guest engagement, security monitoring, documented rounds and activities, and timely reporting of incidents or concerns. The Director interviews, screens, hires, supervises, and supports Residential Aides and ensures that staff have the appropriate certifications, training, and guidance needed to perform their duties effectively and professionally.

Core Competencies

Mission and Fit: Embodies Fortune’s mission and values and contributes effectively to advancing both. The candidate should demonstrate compassion and understanding for participants wherever they are in their reentry process and embrace Fortune’s core value that none of us should be measured against the worst thing we have done.

Management and Supervision:

The candidate must demonstrate strong management and supervisory skills, including the ability to develop and improve systems, supervise staff, and establish measurable team goals. The candidate must be a critical thinker and operational planner who can engage effectively with direct reports, agency leaders, and colleagues at multiple levels. The candidate must be adaptable to changing circumstances while remaining focused on both the big picture and operational details.

Detail-Oriented:

The candidate must demonstrate attention to detail in all aspects of operations, including creating a welcoming and supportive environment, ensuring adherence to operational protocols, maintaining safety and security, monitoring time and attendance, completing reporting and follow-up, and promoting teamwork. The candidate must ensure that all systems are operational and used appropriately.

Communication and Technology:

The candidate must demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to listen actively and communicate clearly. The candidate must be proficient in the use of computers and common technology tools, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and other applications that support the supervision and management of daily operations.

Reliability:

The candidate must demonstrate flexibility with travel, schedules, work locations, and shift assignments. The candidate must be able to work weekends and evening hours as needed and model a high standard of professionalism for others to follow.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure that each site or building under the Director’s management is adequately staffed and operational, including staff completion of rounds, fire drills as appropriate, and documentation of encounters and incidents.
• Ensure that Residential Aide staff are properly trained, supervised, and managed.
• Create and maintain a welcoming, engaging, and respectful environment for residents, guests, and Fortune staff.
• Ensure the protection of residents, guests, staff, property, and equipment.
• Screen, interview, and hire qualified staff for Residential Aide, Residential Aide Supervisor, and Residential Aide Team Leader roles.
• Work with colleagues and program leaders to ensure adequate coverage for each site/building.
• Develop and modify operational procedures to ensure clear communication and adherence to operational policies and procedures.
• Ensure that staff prevent crises whenever possible and intervene immediately when crises arise, providing appropriate support and oversight to Residential Aides.
• Establish regular patrols of resident floors and administrative offices.
• Monitor and report any issues with the closed-circuit camera systems to ensure complete functionality.
• Remain on call 24/7 in the event of an emergency and immediately notify the supervisor of any critical incidents.
• Maintain accurate records of timecards and vacation requests and approve timecards for each pay period.
• Conduct staff supervision and performance evaluations, including six-month introductory and annual evaluations.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Five years of experience providing social services, including counseling, case management, peer support services, or crisis intervention services.
• Three years of management or supervisory experience.
• Certification in CPR, First Aid, Fire Guard, and Narcan.
• Experience working in housing, human services, or residential treatment settings.
• Experience working with individuals impacted by homelessness, substance use, and mental health challenges.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Advanced computer skills.
• Supervisory and/or leadership training and certifications preferred.

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

Travel Requirements: This role requires local travel to program sites and citywide meetings, as appropriate.

Physical Demands: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. 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 based on conviction history, race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, status as a victim of domestic violence, or marital status.