Houseparent (or Couple) - Wabash, IN

Job Title:        Houseparent

Department:        Residential Services        

Employment Status:    Full-time/ Regular/ Non-Exempt

Qualifications:    A Christian with strong convictions who is also in agreement with White’s mission statement, Statement of Faith, and Code of Conduct. This person must be 21 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent.  The regular Houseparent must function as a positive role model for residents.

Reports to:        Program Manager

Job Summary:        Houseparents can help youth learn to function in a home-like setting.  By example and teaching, Houseparents can offer; healthy values, a safe and secure structured environment, and opportunities for relationship building.  Houseparents will work as a full member of a treatment team for cottage of residents. Must demonstrate sensitivity to our service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs.  

Basic Responsibilities

     
•    Provide clear consistent cottage rules and daily routines for residents through the use of the phase system.   
•    Supervise student daily tasks/ activities; chores, laundry, homework, meal times, chapel, recreation, athletic games, etc.
•    Work with treatment team members and general staff to develop, implement, and review residents treatment plans and quarterly reports.
•    Counsel residents: social skills, interpersonal relationships, personal hygiene, domestic skills, work habits, etc.
•    Work with families of residents:  demonstrate acceptance of families, open and regular communication, and provide counseling when appropriate.  
•    Provide basic first aid for residents and keep necessary records of residents medical needs.  
•    Apply universal precautions procedures when exposed to bodily fluids.  
•    Accompany residents to medical appointments when necessary.
•    Keep cottage clean and do routine cottage maintenance (report all major maintenance problems).
•    Provide recreation/activities for residents and walk residents to various campus facilities.
•    Oversee youth completing their laundry.
•    Engage in conflict resolution, intervene in crisis situations, and physically restrain residents when necessary.
•    Perform administrative functions: daily reports, requisitions, clothing records, student checkbooks, etc.  
•    Attend staff meetings, training, review boards, etc.
•    Prepare meals for cottage as needed. (Sunday night, breakfast daily, and when cafeteria is closed.
•    Complete other duties as required by the Program Manager.

Skill, Supervision, Knowledge, and Ability

•    This position requires a person to work independently. Houseparents must be: organized, at work on time, willing to work additional shifts, and able to take on extra job responsibilities.
•    This person needs to enjoy working with other staff members and have the ability to get along in a community type environment.
•    Must have a valid driver’s license.
•    Must be open to different styles of intervening with residents.  
•    Express a willingness to be involved in training and learning new ways to deal with residents.
•    Must demonstrate the needed skills to work with residents:  relationship building, structured, flexible, communication, assertiveness, genuineness, patience, and composure in crisis situations.
•    Must be able to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
•    Must be committed to the Mission, Core Values, and Vision of White’s Residential and Family Services.


Physical Demands of Position

•    Must be able to be on feet for extended periods of time, do significant walking, and actively supervise cottage recreation.
•    Able to perform routine cottage maintenance and cleaning, planting flowers, painting, scrubbing floors, etc.
•    Apply the MindSet physical restraint techniques for residents who are in crisis (expected to meet the requirements of MindSet physical restraints).
•    Must have energy and stamina to work from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on a regular basis.      

Working Conditions

•    Work days will be scheduled on a two week cycle.  The 50%/183 day schedule has a 2 week rotating schedule where one week requires 48 hours and the next 64 hours for an average of 56 hours weekly.
•    Attend work regularly and be on time.
•    Flexibility in taking days off may be necessary.
•    Will work holidays as scheduled.