Cottage Parents - Florida

While living on campus and under the supervision of an assigned Unit Director, the Cottage Parent provides youth with a strong parental role model while implementing a professional family-style program that emphasizes skill acquisition, personal development, and a safe and secure environment in which to grow and learn.The Cottage Parent teaches and develops social skills, self-help skills, academic skills, and independent living skills; and fosters moral and spiritual development through a broad array of activities to youth in residence.

The Cottage Parent administers the day-to-day operations of a large family residence including various paperwork, domestic responsibilities, and other assigned duties including administrative directives and works closely with other child care professionals as a team in carrying out responsibilities while in the work place.

Some Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Is familiar with the overall and individual functions of each aspect of the Youth Ranches program and cooperates as needed to assist in reaching program goals.
• Demonstrates resourcefulness and thriftiness in the wise stewardship of the cottage and programs resources including all equipment, buildings, and vehicles. Ensures cottage, staff housing area if provided and other assets are maintained at Youth Ranches’ standards.
• Manages the fiscal accountability of the cottage, planning ahead and purchasing routine supplies as needed; assures the smooth functioning of the cottage.
• Conducts daily family meetings which include, but not limited to, encouraging and exploring vocational interests and career opportunities and developing youth interest.
• Communicates with team members and youth’s parent(s)/guardian(s) in developing and reinforcing the youth treatment plan.

Requirements

• Must be a married couple
• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Must be at least 21 years of age and have a valid Florida driver’s license or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment
• Must have a concern for youth, the ability and desire to work and live with youth, and a strong desire to work in the human services field.