What are the responsibilities and job description for the Residential House Parent position at Cognita?
Residential House Parent
Stow, MA, United States of America
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req2389
Posted on: 10/03/2026
Position: Residential House Parent
Location: Stow, Massachusetts, Masters Academy International
Start Date: July 1, 2026
Masters Academy International
Masters Academy International (MAI) is New England’s only school that intentionally integrates pro-level athletic training with Tier 1 academics to prepare future leaders who excel in sport, scholarship, and life. For many MAI students, the residential program is central to their experience. Boarding life provides an environment where students can pursue ambitious athletic and academic goals while developing independence, responsibility, and character within a structured and supportive community.
Residential life at MAI is designed to be more than housing; it is an extension of the school’s educational mission. House Parents play a critical role in shaping this experience by creating a home-like environment where students feel safe, supported, and challenged to grow.
About the Role
MAI seeks House Parents to serve as trusted adult leaders within our residential community. House Parents create a structured, supportive, and engaging home environment for student-athletes who live on campus, guiding them through the challenges and opportunities of adolescence while away from home. This role combines elements of mentorship, pastoral care, supervision, and community leadership. House Parents serve as daily role models and advocates for students’ well-being while working closely with academic leaders, coaches, health staff, and families to support each student’s development. The ideal candidate brings maturity, empathy, strong interpersonal skills, and a commitment to helping young people thrive in a high-performance environment. This role requires both warmth and clear expectations, creating a residential culture that balances independence with accountability.
What You Will Do
House Parents play a central role in supporting the well-being, development, and daily life of residential students at MAI. They create a safe, structured, and supportive “home-away-from-home” environment where students can thrive emotionally, socially, and academically. Responsibilities include building strong, trusting relationships with students; providing pastoral guidance; and supporting students through academic, athletic, and personal challenges. House Parents supervise residential life within the boarding house, fostering a positive and inclusive community while helping students develop important life skills such as responsibility, time management, and respect for shared spaces. The role also involves ensuring student safety through consistent supervision and safeguarding practices, maintaining clear expectations around behavior, and responding calmly and effectively to any concerns or emergencies. In addition, they assist with residential operations, including administrative tasks, student attendance and permissions, activity planning, and coordinating outings and recreational opportunities for boarding students.
Who You Are
We are seeking individuals who are deeply aligned with MAI’s values and committed to supporting student well-being and character development. The ideal candidate is motivated by the opportunity to guide young people during the formative years of their personal and academic growth and brings warmth, patience, and emotional intelligence to their relationships with students. You are calm, thoughtful, and able to make sound decisions in challenging or stressful situations, building trust quickly and creating an environment where students feel safe, respected, and supported. You are organized, responsible, and attentive to detail in managing residential routines, and you work well as part of a team, collaborating effectively with colleagues across the school community. Above all, you model integrity, maturity, and professionalism in all interactions with students and families.
Qualifications
•Experience working with young people in educational, residential, mentoring, or youth development settings.
•Strong interpersonal, listening, and counseling skills.
•Ability to supervise groups of students responsibly while maintaining a positive and supportive environment.
•Strong organizational and communication skills.
•Comfort using basic administrative and communication technology.
•Bachelor’s degree preferred.
To view the full Role Profile, please click here.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range is $65,000. Benefits for eligible roles include medical, life insurance, a 401(k) savings plan, and more.
Diversity, Inclusion, and Safeguarding
We are deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout our organization. We strive to build a culture in which every colleague feels that they belong, are trusted, and are valued. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and strongly encourage those from underrepresented groups to apply.
How to Apply:
Complete this application before the closing date. The Closing Date for Applications is: 30th April 2026
Cognita Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.
We are an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of background.
Early applications are encouraged, we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to closing date for the right applicant.