House Parent - Casa Del Sol

Requisition #: req11040

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week)

Bethany is changing the world through family. We began our work by serving one child more than 75 years ago. Today, Bethany is an international Christian nonprofit partnering with communities in more than 30 states and in several countries around the world. We strengthen and preserve families, support displaced people fleeing danger, and find safe, loving families for children who need them. Bethany is at the forefront of creating and implementing solutions to meet the growing needs of vulnerable children and families in the U.S. and around the world.

As a House Parent, you will be primarily responsible for providing guidance, education, and support to youth in determining the course of the youth’s life skills course and to plan goals related to education, vocation, living situations and other life skills. This position is expected to function effectively with moderate supervision while following the guidelines given on procedures, along with agency, federal, and state regulatory requirements.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the residential meal planning, preparation, and routine;
• Assist with supervising on-site youth;
• Coordinate and positively reinforce the daily schedule and routines, as well as house rules and program expectations;
• Create a safe family environment within the home;
• Effectively utilize nonviolent crisis prevention and intervention procedures (CPI);
• Oversee general maintenance and cleanliness within the home;
• Provide consistent communication between youth and staff of the program;
• Actively participate in and attend school events, including parent teacher conferences;
• Maintain positive working relationships with local community resources to assist youth in making positive connections;
• Actively participate in treatment team meetings, staff meetings, and house meetings;
• Teach, model, and motivate new behaviors for youth as indicated in their treatment plans;
• Conduct and support the recommended assessment activities;
• Engage in therapeutic relationships with the youth, other treatment team members, and youth specialists;
• Assist youth with developing, improving, and sustaining permanent relationships with family and friends through discussion, role playing, counseling, or other tools as needed, while clearly documenting the activities;
• Provide supervision of homework, projects, and similar items, as needed;
• Assist with the orientation of the new clients;
• Complete 40 hours of required training on an annual basis;
• Actively participate in planned activities with youth as necessary;
• Perform essential work duties outside of normal business hours, some evenings or weekends;
• Attend internal and external trainings, and apply newly gained knowledge on the job;
• Complete other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or equivalent;
• Some relevant work experience, strongly preferred;
• Must be at least 21 years of age to operate a vehicle on behalf of the agency;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work independently and exercise a high level of confidentiality;
• Must have an ability to provide excellent and compassionate customer service;
• Have the ability to serve as positive role model;
• Demonstrated ability to nurture and provide structure, support, and respect to others;
• Must be able to pass required medical examinations and have the physical ability to fulfill the essential job functions, including physical restraints of a resident;
• Must be able to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary treatment team;
• Must have an ability to work flexible work hours to include some evenings and weekends;
• Computer and typing skills sufficient to perform essential job functions;
• Active motor vehicle license and maintain a reliable vehicle with adequate insurance coverage;
• Pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries;
• Subscription to and integration of the agency Statement of Faith, Mission Statement, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commitment.

We value and embrace the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion; our culture is strengthened and our workplace is more dynamic. We are a global organization with multicultural staff, clients and stakeholders, so we strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. More work remains, but we are deeply committed to honestly acknowledging and addressing the impacts of race and racism throughout the organization. This work can be uncomfortable and even painful, but we believe that the greatest challenges bear the greatest rewards.