FEATURED JOB OPENING: House Parents - Spanish Fort AL (Eastern Shore, AL)

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Full-time

The mission is to provide a loving Christian home for 4-5 at-risk teenage girls, connect them to who they are in the eyes of God and equip them with life skills essential to wholeness.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

The Houseparents use biblical values in modeling a healthy family as they care for the young ladies residing in our home. They manage the home so as to create a therapeutic environment which facilitates the attainment of goals established when each young lady is accepted. Within a structured environment, they ensure a holistic approach to nurturing each young lady. Additionally, they develop a relationship with each young lady’s family and help assimilate them into the Under His Wings program.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Spiritual Development of the Girls 

Model a healthy family relationship incorporating Christian principles.

Actively participate in a local church and encourage the participation of the young ladies in the activities of the church. Attendance is required for Sunday worship, but Houseparents should consider the value of the girls participating in other church activities.

Conduct daily (am or pm) family devotions with the girls.

Emotional Development 

Create a safe environment where the girls can work on their issues and practice new behaviors.

Become familiar with each girl’s social history in an effort to understand the young lady as an individual.

Develop a relationship with each young lady, actively listen to them and offer individual counseling and support.

Develop and maintain an accepting and empathetic relationship with the young lady’s family.

Work closely with your Counselor and Assistant Counselor to help the young lady achieve the goals that were established when they first came to Under His Wings.

Social Development 

Manage the group of girls in your home ensuring that they all feel heard and can express themselves.

Help the girls develop habits of proper behavior, dress and safety at social and recreational activities.

Teach girls appropriate methods of building and enhancing interpersonal relationships.

Provide formal and informal play periods.

4. Intellectual Development

Education

Provide structured time each day for school work and ensures that the girls have necessary study materials.

Assist girls with homework and school projects.

Work in close cooperation with lead teacher and school staff.

Encourage girls to take advantage of extracurricular activities.

b.     Discipline

Teach girls the choice/consequence model and consistently hold them accountable for the choices they make.

Comply with our “Discipline and Behavior Management Policy”

Immediately report serious offenses or incidents to Executive Director and Counselor and follow up with a written Incident Report.

5. Physical Development 

Housekeeping and Sector Maintenance

Instruct the girls on how to do their laundry and household chores.

Supervise the girls in completing household chores, assist when needed and help them develop good housekeeping habits.

Daily Care

Prepare and serve nutritionally balanced meals.

Model and practice good table manners and encourage an atmosphere of “serving one another” during meals. Eat meals together as a family.

Ensure that each girl is properly fitted for shoes and clothing.

 Encourage the development of good personal hygiene habits such as bathing, brushing teeth, changing clothes, shampooing hair, cleaning nails, etc.

Know any special health needs of girls (e.g. allergic reaction to bee stings, medicines, special medicines needed, etc.). Ensure required medication is taken at the proper time and in the prescribed amount.

Ensure that required medical and dental appointments are scheduled.

Scheduled Work Hours–

·       One week of Paid Time Off

·       One weekend off a month (Friday morning to Sunday Evening)  

*School Year classes are M-F 8:30am-2pm; Summer Schedule classes (9am to 2pm M/W/F)

Home Maintenance 

a.     Maintain the home and furnishings in good order.

b.     Keep the home van in good running condition, practice preventative maintenance, and inform the Vehicle Steward of needed repairs.

c.     Advise the Executive Director promptly when repairs to the home or furnishings are needed.

Staff Relations 

a.     Participate and cooperate with all members of the our care team - Director, Counselors, other Houseparents relief parents.

b.     Provide documentation when required – progress reports, fire drill reports, accident/incident reports, monthly bank account information, etc.

c.     Inform Counselors of the home routine and any special needs of a particular girl.

d.     Respond timely to all staff requests for information.

9.     Delegated Responsibilities- Any other responsibilities that may be assigned by the Executive Director.

QUALITIES:

1. Good character, health and emotional stability.

2. Regularly attend church.

3. Agree with our Statement of Faith.

4. Share with spouse a burden to provide a Christian home for young ladies in crisis and in need of hope and healing.

5. Teachable.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Education and Experience

a.     High School Diploma plus work experience required, college preferred.

b.     Applicants must be able to pass a criminal background check through ABI and FBI  

c.     If married, must be at least one year

d.     At least twenty-five (25) years of age.

e.     Good moral character and integrity. Strong Christian character and nurturing lifestyle as documented by references.

2. Technological

a.     Willing and able to do manual work.

b.     Able to lift up to fifty (50) pounds - men.
Able to lift up to twenty-five (25) pounds - women.

c.     Able to keep good records.

d.     Able to follow oral and written instructions.

e.     Able to become First Aid and CPR qualified.

f.      Able to become lifeguard certified - either or both Houseparents.

g.     Able to prepare three (3) meals a day for up to eight (8) people.

3. Lodging and Meals

House parents will have their own private room and bathroom and will sleep at the home throughout their shift. House parent WILL NOT sleep in the home while not on shift.

These positions are salaried positions and House parents will function with some level of autonomy, but report to executive director and assistant director and work closely with other house parent and other staff to assure that the best interests of the young ladies are served.

4. Other

a.     Good physical and psychological health as assessed by employment exams and job performance.

b.     Valid Alabama driver’s license within thirty (30) days of employment.

c.     Willingness to learn and implement the our program.

d.     Able to adjust to sudden changes to schedule.

e.     Able to maintain home checking account.

f.      Able to balance tension between our responsibilities and those of own family.