House Parents, Chattanooga (Hixson) TN

VISION

We envision children transformed by the redemptive power of Jesus Christ and empowered to fulfill all of their God-given potential.

MISSION

Our mission is to provide safe, nurturing and Christ-centered homes for children of families in crisis, and equip and inspire them to live productive lives.

POSITION OVERVIEW:  This position provides a temporary home for children and youth in the absence of the natural parents. 

Houseparents will bring the children and youth to spiritual, emotional, physical, intellectual and relational maturity until their own homes can be restored. It is the houseparents’ responsibility to train the children and youth in all areas of life according to Biblical principles and good childcare practices. Houseparents will have a full understanding of the diverse cultures and circumstances experienced by our clients. Houseparents will assist in the training of other houseparents. The houseparent couple, or the housemother in the Promise Program, will serve as the lead houseparent(s) in the cottage and will be responsible for the overall functioning of the cottage.

REPORTS TO:  Residential Services Team Leader

JOB CLASSIFICATION:  Exempt

DEPARTMENT:  Residential Services

SUPERVISES:  None

TEAM COVENANTS:  Commitments we hold each other accountable for in order to function as an effective team.

• Team Member:Contributes to team effort by performing other duties as directed or assigned by supervisor.  As a team member, abides by the team covenants.
• Healthy Conflict Resolution:  As we encounter personal or operational difficulties with each other, we will seek to solve those difficulties through prompt Biblically- based means such as prayer, one-on-one, mutually-respectful discussions and lastly if needed with mutually respectful group discussions.

Given that this is an employment environment as well as a ministry, to the extent there are matters which require the attention of a supervisor or Human Resources, these are also avenues through which conflict resolution may be pursued as individual team members deem them to be appropriate and or necessary.

• Mutual Accountability:  We will periodically, individually and as a group, report on and give feedback to each other on the results and effectiveness of our activities in relationship to accomplish Bethel’s mission and in relationship to how they may be impacting the effectiveness of the activities of each other.  Being accountable, we also commit to grow in our abilities through gathering knowledge through feedback from others, outside research and formal continuing education as it is made available.
• People come before Programs:  We will seek to consider the personal welfare of each other over the need to follow precisely routine procedures and methods as we accomplish our individual and team responsibilities.
• Pray for each other:  In order to keep our hearts and minds calibrated with each other, we commit to pray daily for God’s blessing on each of our team members.
• Confidentiality:  When specifically requested by a team member or otherwise for the best interest of that team member, we commit to hold private communications in confidence.  In the rare case we feel that we cannot hold that confidence in fairness to the team as a whole, we will first ask the other team members to release the information themselves to the other members.
• Integrity:  We commit to each other that all of our communications and interactions with and about each other and with others concerning Bethel’s ministry will be based on a foundation of integrity.

EXTERNAL COVENANTS:  Commitments we make to those we serve to bring value and build long-term relationships.

• Honesty:  We are committed to the utmost integrity in our ministry of service to children, families, community, donors and others.
• Excellence in Care:  We are committed to continuous quality improvement, programs, services, and staff that will ultimately enhance the lives of children, families, and others associated with this ministry.
• Accountability/Stewardship:  We are committed to ethical development practices, to carefully steward our resources, and to be accountable to God, community, and each other.
• Model a Christ Centered Environment:  We are committed to exemplifying our faith in God by living out our Christian values.
• A Community of Learners:  We are committed to building relationships in order to create a community of learners, with ongoing training, encouraging participation, and to be open to new ideas and concepts.

CORE COMPETENCIES:  Those key functions that flow from our Mission and are central, measurable things Bethel Bible Village will do to see our Vision become a reality, through God’s grace and power.  They point to the strategic outcomes toward which all our efforts should contribute and against which our collective effectiveness will be measured.

Spiritually:  A child will know Christ as their Savior, and will have a growing and vibrant relationship with Jesus.  Responsible for:

• Direct responsibility #1:  Attend church with the cottage children to ensure they are presented the Gospel message. Exemplify a vibrant Christian Faith as a life model to the children.
• Direct Responsibility #2: Present cottage devotionals daily, Bible Studies weekly, and pray with and encourage children’s spiritual growth.
• Direct Responsibility #3:  Medical care as appropriate.

Physical:  A child will have an understanding of and will take personal responsibility for his/her health. Responsible for:

• Direct responsibility #1: Shop for groceries and stock the cottage pantry with adequate food stocks. Prepare or supervise preparation of well-balanced cottage meals. Ensure children understand the need for proper nutrition and are making balanced meal choices.
• Direct Responsibility #2:    Teach / enforce basic personal hygiene practices,as well as ensuring that children are being encouraged to make good choices in regard to their health.

Intellectually:  A child will have the desire to learn and will demonstrate academic progress.  Responsible for:

• Direct responsibility #1: Providehomework help / monitoring.
• Direct Responsibility #2: Maintain contact with the education staff at Bethel and with the child’s school.

Emotionally:  A child will understand his / her emotions and will choose to express them appropriately when faced with life issues.  Responsible for:

•  Direct responsibility #1: Supervisechildren in the daily activities of cottage life.  Provide a listening ear and positive guidance when children are dealing with emotionally-charged issues.
• Direct Responsibility #2: Provide opportunities for children to participate in group activities and monitor/report their functioning.
• Direct Responsibility #3:  Seek professional intervention to assist child in emotional control development as appropriate.

Relationally:  A child will love and respect other people and interact in a positive way, regardless of life circumstances.  Responsible for:

• Direct responsibility #1: Teach/ Encourage children to evaluate their peer interactions and assess the positive and negative influence of peer relationships.
• Direct Responsibility #2:  Teach/ Encourage children to show respect to others.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS: 

• Oral Communications- Appropriate, clear, concise.
• External Communications:  We are committed to share information clearly, efficiently, and timely without violation of the confidential nature of the information relating to the clients and/or Bethel.
• Writing Skills- Complete, clear, concise, appropriate in style, content and language level considering the intended audience..
• Balancing Job Related and Personal Communications– Ability to balance personal life with job duties.
• Team Communications:  We will timely share, request and receive appropriate information using the most effective medium in a mutually-respectful manner.  We commit to be active listeners of each person, giving feedback and asking for clarification in order to fully understand what each other is trying to communicate to make decisions.
• Dealing with Concerns– Working with the Bethel Bible Village guidelines to present views, concerns and ideas to those able to bring about effective solution.
• Functioning in Interpersonal Situations– Effective teamwork; tact and sensitivity regarding the feelings and ideas of others to build rapport with those outside the work group.

MOTIVATION:

• Initiative – Ability to get things started and accomplished.  Willingness to participate in team efforts.
• Persistence – Steadfast pursuit of job objectives when faced with unexpected obstacles. 
• Adaptability / Flexibility– Effectiveness in working under unusual conditions or pressures, and in responding to procedural changes.  Appropriate response to constructive criticism.
• Willingness – Eager to contribute toward the betterment of Bethel Bible Village, even when personal sacrifice is necessary.

PRODUCTIVITY: 

• Quantity – Amount of work accomplished in relation to expectations.
• Timeliness of Work– Extent to which goals, objectives, and time limits were met.
• Planning, organizing, and Setting Priorities– Effectiveness in handling workload through proper scheduling, planning, and setting priorities.
• Punctuality– Arriving at work on time; being at meetings ready to participate at the appointed time. 

QUALTIY: 

• Quality of Work – Thoroughness, accuracy, and neatness of work.
• Consistency– Ability to perform at a consistent level.

CRITICAL THINKING: 

• Resourcefulness– Effectiveness in using available materials, methods, services, etc., and in devising better methods and approaches to work situations.
• Negotiating– Effectiveness in getting a voluntary agreement and cooperation from people with differing viewpoints.
• Logical Reasoning– Effectiveness in thinking logically and arriving at objectively reasonable interpretations.
• Decision Making– Effectiveness in recognizing problems and choosing and implementing appropriate solutions.

EXPECTATIONS:

• The individual fulfilling this role will protect the credibility of Bethel Bible Village’s mission by complying with the Bethel Bible Village Standards of Conduct, setting an example, in words and actions, that is consistent with the values and beliefs of Bethel Bible Village.

• It is expected that professional and technical knowledge will be maintained by attending educational workshops.

MAJOR RESPONSIBLITIES/ACTIVITIES

Exemplify a vibrant Christian faith personally and professionally.

Supervise children in the daily activities of cottage (home) life.

Shop for groceries and stock the cottage pantry with adequate food stocks.

Prepare or supervise preparation of cottage meals.

Transport children in a Bethel Bible Village vehicle to school, medical appointments, and other locations as necessary.

Inventory, track and distribute medication to a child as needed. 

Administer first aid.

Teach basic household chores / responsibilities to the residents.

Monitor cleanliness of the cottage.

Provide homework help / monitoring.

Be a Christ-like role model.

Communicate with guardians.

Collaborate between medical services, school services, guardians, social worker, child and other houseparents.

Advocate for residents.

Monitor conversations / interactions between residents.

Determine and enforce discipline / consequences. Enforce campus rules.

Provide entertainment and enrichment opportunities.

Ensure the residents’ basic supervision, safety, and security.

Buy food, supplies, and clothing.

Prepare meals.

Teach / enforce basic personal hygiene practices.

Pray for residents.

Lead cottage devotions

Teach organization skills.

Make medical and other appointments for residents.

Attend church with the cottage children.

Attend treatment planning meetings and give input as needed.

Collaborate with the Education Coordinator regarding all school and learning issues for each child.

Collaborate with the cottage Social Worker to ensure each child receives services.

Mediate conflicts between residents.

Complete required reports.

Submit maintenance requests as necessary to ensure a safe, healthy cottage environment.

Perform other duties as assigned.

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

            SPIRITUAL:  Be an active participating Christian in a local congregation.

            EDUCATION: High School Diploma or equivalent.  College degree preferred.

            REQUIREMENTS:  The minimum age requirement for this position is 21 years of age.  The couple must be married a minimum of two (2) years and have two (2) children or less living at home.  Effective oral and written communication skills and one year of youth-related experience is required.  Because of the live-in nature of the position, no more than two dogs are permitted, and they must live outside.  A candidate must successfully pass a drug screen and physical. 

            SPECIFIC SKILLS:  Excellent interpersonal and previous computer experience is preferred.

            SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE, LICENSES, ETC.: A valid Driver’s License is required. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Frequently climb stairs. 

Frequently bend, lift, and twist, in the performance of duties.

Frequently sit for several hours.

Daily operate a vehicle.

Often lift a small child weighing up to 50 pounds.

Often respond to the phone, and directly communicate with staff and residents.

Occasionally lift, carry or otherwise move and positions objects weighing up to 25 pounds when stocking supplies.

Occasionally operates lawn and other like motorized equipment.

Visually, audibly or by scent identify probable emergency situations within or the immediate area surrounding the cottage.