Career as a Houseparent

Please note that if you are interested in applying for the full-time Flex Houseparent position, you and your spouse will need to complete separate applications.

As role models, full-time Flex Houseparents play an important role in guiding each student's development. Houseparents encourage each student to practice helpful and healthful behaviors and work with students to identify target areas for improvement. With praise, encouragement, and positive reinforcement, they help each child to grow physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. They work to develop a culture that embraces our sacred values of integrity, positive spirit, commitment to mission, and mutual respect. This contributes to the goal of graduate success for each student.

Full-time Flex Houseparents are involved in a variety of activities ranging from meetings with classroom teachers to participating in training for their own professional development. The houseparent couple is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the student home. This includes, but is not limited to, preparing meals (breakfast and dinner) for 9-13 students, assisting with household chores, and transporting students to and from various activities. Full-time Flex Houseparents need to be able to demonstrate a high degree of organizational skills, flexibility, and understand the importance of integrating their natural family into the student home environment.

Life in a Student Home

In order to provide a more natural family-like atmosphere as well as continuity of relationships, 9-13 students may live under one roof. This arrangement provides support and nurturing while a student works through family, emotional, and personal issues. The students learn age appropriate social and life skills, and as they apply and practice these skills, they receive positive reinforcement from the houseparents. Students and houseparents identify target areas and strategies for improvement. Full-time Flex Houseparents help students develop good habits, a strong work ethic, and a sense of responsibility for themselves and others.

As in a family, each student participates in, and contributes to, the experience of the student home. Students are responsible for completing homework and other school-related assignments and doing household chores. They also enjoy planned activities, and have free and quiet time. Off-campus trips take students to cultural, sports, and entertainment events, and group activities include intramural sports and the use of campus recreational facilities.

Students remain on campus for an additional two weeks at the close of the school year, and return to school two weeks early before the school year begins. These changes enable our students the opportunity to appropriately transition from the completion of the current year and into the beginning of the new school term. All full-time Flex Houseparents are required to be on duty during these transition periods.

Benefits of Being a Full-Time Flex Houseparent

The satisfaction of making a positive contribution to the development of a child.

• Total compensation package including the value of a rent-free private apartment, meals, and utilities (Houseparent salary matrix [PDF])
• A comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, additional time off during the day/week)
• Certified Houseparent training program, 100% tuition reimbursement
• Every other weekend off
• Relocation assistance
• Use of athletic facilities (gym, tennis courts, ice skating rink)

Position Requirements:

Given the complexities of the full-time Flex Houseparents' role and responsibilities, as well as the physical size of the houseparent apartment, the following criteria must be met for eligibility:

• Couple must be legally married at least 3 years at the time of application.
• Each person must be at least 27 years of age at the time of application.
• Each person must have a valid driver's license at the time of application.
• Couple cannot have more than two dependent children who will reside at the houseparent apartment.
• At least one of the two children must be school age at the time of application.

Prior experience working with youth and a bachelor's degree in a human services related area are preferred. This is an exempt position in a union environment.