Why SOS Illinois?

At SOS Illinois we are committed to keeping brothers and sisters in foster care together by providing safe, stable, and loving homes. We do this by offering an innovative approach to traditional foster care. Our model of care provides a private, single-family home, access to a community center, and support from professionally trained Foster Parents and staff. With this, the children we serve benefit from the stability of remaining with their siblings as well as the support of neighboring SOS Illinois Foster Parents and the entire community.

· Work for an impactful organization with a purpose

· Corporate culture that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion

· Hybrid/flexible work options to help balance work and life

· PTO (paid time off in the form of personal days, sick time, vacation days, and paid company holidays

· Employee Referral Bonuses

· The salaried rate ($25,000/year base salary plus bonus potential pending eligibility) is offered as part of a full benefits package for the full-time Live-In Relief Parent position that is not offered to part-time Relief Parents or Foster Parent Trainees (who are paid at an hourly rate of $15.40/hr). It includes room and board, the opportunity to qualify for healthcare benefits (after 90 days of full-time employment), and a retirement savings plan in addition to the salary. 

Employee Well-Being Benefits

· Competitive Healthcare plans through BCBS for you and your dependents (eligible the first of the following month after 30 of FT employment)

· Vision/Dental/Life Insurance offerings

· Flexible PTO

· Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

· 403b Retirement Savings Plan (nonprofit version of 401K). Able to contribute immediately upon full-time employment. In addition, the organization will contribute 4% to your savings plan after 12 months of full-time employment regardless if you are contributing.

· Part of the federal student loan forgiveness program

· Access to financial advisors and financial education tools

· Tuition reimbursement options

· Opportunities for further education as well as time to attend trainings/workshops/etc. for personal/professional development 

The Role:

The Live-In Relief Parent (LIRP) lives on the Village (at Chicago Village) in an apartment provided by SOS Children’s Villages Illinois (SOS Illinois). The role of the LIRP is to provide full-time support and assistance to the Professional Foster Parents at any of the three Villages. 

As a key support staff they will support and enhance the care to children to assist in the growth, skill development, and nurturing of children in SOS Illinois foster homes. They will serve in the parents’ absence and/or in combination with the parents and/or foster parents in providing a support system to meet the children’s needs. Provide tools and activities for educational development and enhancement in the absence or in conjunction with the foster parents.

The Live-In Relief Parent may spend time taking children in their care to appointments or activities including visitations with biological parents.

The Live-In Relief Parent is a part of the Village community and is expected to participate in Village meetings and be a part of the neighborhood in addition to the job responsibilities. While housed at Chicago Village, you may be asked to work at other Villages for Relief hours and/or meetings and activities.

This role full-time and hours may vary but expect a minimum of 40 hours per week of active Relief work. The role is expected to start as part-time prior to move-in ($15.40/hour, subject to change in accordance with the law). Upon move-in, employment will adjust to full-time salaried at $25,000/year. Compensation includes room & board (SOS Illinois provides the living arrangements and a monthly budget of $150 for food and necessities). 

While the position is full-time with flexible hours, you may not hold another job outside of this employment but could do online school or something similarly flexible that may work with your SOS Illinois schedule.

If you are part of a committed relationship with a live-in spouse or partner, they can join you in the SOS Illinois provided housing (pending DCFS background clearance) and they can work outside the home.

The overall goal of this role is to create consistency in the family setting and to help the children progress, grow, and continue to develop in a safe and productive environment. 

Responsibilities:

1.Assist the SOS Professional Foster Parent in providing care, whether in their absence or presence, in services to the children including transportation of children to recreational activities, homework assistance, therapy, and additional supervision of the children.

2.Provide responsible, "parental" supervision, monitoring, care and direction for the children consistent with the SOS Professional Foster Parent's methodology in the SOS Professional Foster Parent's absence.

3.Maintain written documentation necessary for internal files and contractual obligations.

4.Provide transportation to appointments for the children if necessary.

5.Prepare meals, do laundry and assist the children with appropriate maintenance of the home and attend to the general orderliness and neatness as would normally occur during the shift which relief work is scheduled.

6.Carrying on the normal structure and routine in the absence of the SOS Professional Foster Parent.

7.Communicating with the SOS Professional Foster Parents as to events during their absence.

8.Answer the telephone in the home and take messages or re-direct calls as appropriate for the Program and the rest of the Agency.

9.Maintain records as required.

10.Establish a positive, constructive relationship with the children through communication, interaction and role modeling. 

11.Act as a caring parental authority so as to assist the children in their personal growth.

12.Maintain confidentiality of all client, staff and agency matters.

13.Work collaboratively with SOS Professional Forster Parents, staff and others, including the children's biological parents.

14.Be aware of the policies and philosophy as outlined in the SOS Parent Manual and work within those guidelines.

15.Participate in on going training and maintaining certifications such as first aid and CPR, TCI, Med. Administration, etc.

16.Represent SOS in a professional manner to the public and guests.

17.All other tasks as assigned, including the supervision of biological family visits.

18.Comply with all SOS policies, state, federal, county and city laws, rules and regulations.

19.Answer phone and return all calls within 24 hours and read and respond to emails, daily.

20.Attend general agency staff meetings, in-service education/training, individual supervision, and other meetings as directed by the Village Director or Supervisor.

Qualifications:

1.Must be at least 23 year of age.

2.Previous childcare experience. 

3.Valid Illinois driver's license with acceptable driving record and proof of automobile insurance coverage.

4.Good verbal and written communications skills. 

5.Ability to learn and support SOS behavior management program.

6.Reliable, punctual, and able to manage multiple tasks.

7.Ability to work in an alcohol, tobacco, drug, and firearm free environment.

8.Ability to work flexible hours.

9.Ability to handle sensitive and confidential materials and to exercise discretion and independent judgment.

10. Ability to adhere to SOS Illinois housing agreements. 

11.Commitment to SOS Illinois philosophy and mission.

ADA DISCLAIMER/STATEMENT: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person assigned to this position. Position responsibilities are intended to describe those functions that are essential to the performance of this job. This position description does not state or imply that the above are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employees holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties requested by management. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a
disability. 

SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGE is an equal opportunity employer. Employment, assignment, and promotion practices are carried out in accordance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, physical handicap, social handicap, sex, age, or ancestry.