Position: Live-in Support Staff

Location: 108 High Street, Santa Cruz, Ca

Employment Type: Part-time, Non-Exempt; 8-16 hours per week

Compensation: 15.50/hour, Room and Board (increases to $16/hour in January)

Siena House is a residential program providing a stable environment of health, support, and education for pregnant women and their babies who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Our mission is to give new mothers experiencing homelessness a solid foundation as parents, and their babies the best start in life by providing a supportive environment during pregnancy and a baby’s critical first year of development.

Position Summary: Our live-in support staff serve a critical role in fulfilling our mission. While on duty, the support staff are responsible for answering the phone and door, overseeing activities in the home, and ensuring participants attend programs. Support staff’s primary responsibility while on duty is to interact with the participants and their babies during and after dinner, as well as reinforce the safety and security of the household.

Shift Schedule: Schedules vary depending on the day. Schedules may change based on the needs of the program.

Day Work Hours On Call Hours

Sunday - Thursday 6 PM - 10 PM 10 PM - 6 AM

Friday and Saturday 6 PM - 11 PM 11 PM - 6 AM

Support Staff Responsibilities

  • Responsible for the safety and supervision of Siena House participants.

  • Ensure adherence to Siena House schedule and program expectations to include preparing and participating in dinner, after-dinner activities, classes, chores, and curfew.

  • Make timely and appropriate decisions in emergency situations. Be aware of safety needs, mandated reporting requirements, and when to contact appropriate staff or responding agencies.

  • Transport participants using a Siena House vehicle during medical emergencies.

  • Respond to participant crises using trauma informed de-escalation techniques.

  • Complete and submit Incident Reports by the end of shift or within 24 hrs of incident.

  • Complete and send a detailed log at the end of each shift.

  • Distribute linens, toiletries, diapers, formula, and any other items supplied by the program.

  • Inform House Manager when supplies are running low.

  • Oversee and maintain general site cleanliness, reporting any maintenance or janitorial needs to the House Manager in a timely manner.

  • Maintain confidentiality of participants while on and off duty.

On-call Responsibilities

Live-in Support Staff are assigned to “on-call” hours following one’s shift from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM (11:00 PM to 6:00 AM Fri and Sat). An agency cell phone will be provided while on shift, and the participants will call that number for support. Staff must always carry this phone with them while on-call. When responding to an emergency, staff will be paid at their regular or overtime rate, as required by law.

When an employee is “on-call,” they must be available to respond to crises or emergency situations in-person. They are not required to stay on the Siena House premises and may engage in personal activities. They must be able to return a phone call within 10 minutes and return to Siena House within 30 minutes of receiving a request for assistance. The Live-in Support Staff must be in a sober state and able to respond emergency situations when on-call.

Desired Qualifications:

  • An understanding of the challenges faced by unhoused and housing insecure individuals.

  • 6 months of social services, customer service, or childcare experience preferred.

  • Flexible schedule to work evening and weekend hours as needed.

  • Proof of valid California Driver’s License and current auto insurance, along with a clean DMV record, is required.

Benefits and Perks:

  • $15.50 per hour, increasing to $16 per hour as of 1/1/24.

  • A private room at Siena House, which is conveniently located in Santa Cruz.

  • 24/7 access to common areas such as living room, kitchen, laundry, library, and a

  • Gorgeous outdoor space.

  • Dinner provided when on-duty.

  • Professional development opportunities and all-staff events.

Siena House values safety, wellness, and respect for each other and for those who we serve. Because of this commitment, Siena House is mandating that all employees have updated vaccinations for COVID-19 and RSV (if eligible). TB test required.