Join a Legacy of Hope and Empowerment at Covenant House New York!

For over 50 years, Covenant House New York (CHNY) has been at the forefront of transforming lives by providing comprehensive shelter, housing, and wrap-around support services for vulnerable homeless, runaway, and exploited youth. As the largest provider of these essential services in New York City, CHNY impacts the lives of over 1,500 young people aged 16-24 every year.

At CHNY, our doors are open to all young people in need, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. Our dedicated team offers various services, including shelter, housing, education, employment, health, mental health support, youth development, and anti-human trafficking initiatives. We operate with harm reduction and trauma-informed principles to ensure the best care for our youth.

But our mission goes beyond immediate support. We are passionate advocates for systemic change, influencing public policy, and raising awareness of the critical issues surrounding youth homelessness. Our ultimate goal is to provide a safe refuge and empower young people to build a brighter future founded on compassion, unconditional love, and absolute respect.

The Covenant House New York Legal Department is situated within our Manhattan crisis shelter, which houses up to 120 vulnerable yet resilient youth. These young people need fierce advocates to help them navigate their legal issues and other concerns as they work to forge a new path for themselves. This work is both challenging and fulfilling.

Join us in making a difference in the lives of countless young people. Join a team that inspires long-term transformation and hope.

Job Summary

Rights of Passage (ROP) Traveling Overnight Resident Advisor (RA) provides supportive services to up to 20 young people aged 16-21 living in various ROP sites in the Bronx.  Reporting to the Program Coordinator of the ROP site, the RA is an energetic, creative, and diligent team member that includes case managers and a cadre of specialty staff, including employment/education specialists, housing specialists, youth development staff, and credentialed mental health staff.  The roaming Resident Advisor needs to be flexible to travel to different ROP sites as needed, provide coverage per shift assigned and provide services per program needs.  

RAs are also responsible for cooking meals for up to 20 youth, sometimes with other staff and/or youth or on their own.  RAs will be assisting in obtaining food handling licenses and other culinary training if needed.   RAs also help keep the site clean and well-maintained, including working with youth and other staff to manage garbage and day-to-day cleaning of all areas of the site. The RA will be working within a newly opened, stand-alone site.  Flexibility, excellent communication, and problem-solving abilities are critical to successfully fulfilling the requirements of this position. 

Duties & Responsibilties

 Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following

Directly engages, supervises, and supports youth residing at the ROP site.

Ensures that the site, including youths' rooms, is clean and kept in excellent and safe condition.

Welcomes youth to the site and orients youth to site expectations, CHNY's mission and principles, and child protection policies and protocols.

Assists youth with preparation for the next day.  Ensures youth meet curfew and are accounted for when they leave the facility. 

Flexible in commuting to various ROP sites in the Bronx and working during shifts as needed.  

Conduct room checks (daily and throughout all shifts) for youth and ensure safety on the floors. Check for fire safety and/or address any contraband or weapon issues.

Provide direct support and monitoring when youth utilize certain areas during night shifts, such as the laundry room, dining area, lounge, or any other open spaces onsite. This includes addressing any safety incidents or fire safety-related issues that occur during the overnight shift.

Monitor program and client activities to ensure a safe and secure environment.

Engages with youth during morning mealtimes and works with youth to facilitate post-meal clean up and assist in meal prep as needed. 

Assists with activities of daily living (ADLs) that include self-care and life skills such as meals, hygiene, laundry, living space cleaning, time management, and communal living.

Participates in overnight tidying up and facilitates the work of facilities and maintenance staff, helping to keep the site clean and well-maintained.   

Provides support to Case Managers as needed, including distributing appointment slips, appointment follow-up, paperwork collection and filing, file maintenance, and file compliance. Transitions and communicates with morning staff.

Maintains records in the Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) computer system and enters all required documentation timely.

Escorts youth to other agencies and services when necessary (e.g., hospitals, school visits)

Maintains healthy, supportive relationships with the youth, mindful of boundaries and mutual respect.

Leads and/or participates in recreational and holiday activities at the site and off-site trips.

Completes incident reports by the end of the shift and submits them to appropriate parties.

De-escalates crises; attends to emergencies following agency protocol, as needed.