Residential Aide - Liberty Plaza

Classification: Non-exempt

Reports to: Operations Manager & Director of Program Operations

Location: Jamaica, Queens, NY

Who We Are: Lantern Community Services helps New Yorkers impacted by homelessness move from surviving to thriving by pairing safe, supportive housing with wraparound services that build lasting stability and independence. If you believe a steady home can be the start of everything else, you’ll fit right in with our mission-first team. Lantern was also recognized as a Top 2025 Workplace by City & State New York—a great place to do meaningful work with people who care!  

About The Role:

Lantern Community Services is seeking diligent and responsible Residential Aides for all shifts at our single adult male shelter in Jamaica, Queens, NY. The Residential Aides will provide direct services to the shelter clients and be the primary connection between Case Management/Housing staff and the client. Successful candidates will have prior experience providing compassionate care to vulnerable populations.

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Fosters a nurturing and welcoming environment for clients.
• Processes new client intakes, including completion of preliminary documentation, orientation to facility, laundering of belongings, and bed assignments.
• Assists in the planning and organization of recreational activities, events, and outings.
• Informs appropriate program staff of any issues that may affect the health and safety of clients or staff.
• Maintains daily log, visitor and client sign-ins, and other record keeping.
• Utilizes Safe Crisis Management in working collaboratively with Shift Supervisor and Security Staff to respond to incidents; Completes incident documentation as required.
• Completes electronic shift summaries and generates daily client census & curfew violation reports.
• Serves meals to clients at breakfast, lunch and/or dinner.
• Conducts fire drills and generates documentation as required.
• On some occasions, our clients will need assistance being escorted to appointments and ensuring compliance with shelter rules and regulations.
• Conducts routine inventory of equipment and supplies.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Shift Supervisor or other supervisory staff.

Required Education and Experience: 

• High School Diploma, HSE, or GED required.
• 2 years of experience working in a shelter setting, security, customer service, hospital patient care, etc. Preferred
• Food handler's certification required or willingness to obtain in 3 months.
• Must be adept and comfortable with crisis intervention.
• Basic Computer Skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to get along with clients of various cultures and backgrounds.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Proven organization and logistical skills.
• Ability to respond to and assess urgent situations

Preferred Experience:

• Experience working in a homeless shelter and/or with mental illness preferred.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

Work Environment: This job operates in a shelter environment and works with a population who experiences mental illness, addiction, disability, HIV, and other chronic illnesses.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, climb stairs and/ or kneel. Occasionally, the employee will have to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Note: Lantern Community Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Lantern Community Services (Lantern) values the diversity of all our clients, staff, Board of Directors, and partners. By bringing diverse individuals and viewpoints together, we create more vibrant, healthy, and just communities.