The residential staff are the backbone and blessing of the Heartlight Program, and it is through these life-on-life relationships, the residential staff are able to communicate wisdom, directives, hope, and encouragement to the 60 young people that live at Heartlight. The relationships formed between residential staff and residents provides a bridge of communication that supports, sustains, and brings effectiveness to the counseling arena and program activities, and further creates an atmosphere of love and acceptance of a child that is longing to work through difficult circumstances in hopes of returning home as soon as possible.

We ask that each residential staff pour their life into 8 kids for a year, working with and through difficult situations, giving them a taste of the character of God, and giving them a part of your life. It is our hopes that each young person will be given a new hope, new direction, and a new start in life, as a result of the quality, professionalism, and personal relationships, demonstrated by each of the residential staff.

This position also provides assistance and support for the Residential Directors in insuring the

mission of the organization is carried out; understands primary duties and responsibilities cited below which provide a framework but may not be inclusive of appropriate activities required of this position for efficient functioning of the organization.

 

Specific Responsibilities

1. Supervision of Residents

• Responsible for supervising residents in a residential setting: this includes but is not limited to the following: direct supervision of kids (know where they are at all times), ensure their health, safety, care and well being.
• Adheres to State Standards and Heartlight’s Policy guidelines in the area of supervision.
• Ensures that staff/child ratio is always at least 1:8.

2. Residential

• Works to reach the goals of seeing effective spirit of ministry to residents, appropriate and constant communication with house director, deepening relationships within and among the other residents, and dignity, support, and encouragement to all employees and residents. Will offer respect to each resident, and participates in developing an arena of respect among the residents.
• Adheres to guidelines received in training and lined out in Heartlight’s Policy in regards to the consistency of operation in the houses (pharmaceuticals, discipline, cleanliness, menus, reporting, state standards, etc.)
• Responsible to follow weekly schedule.
• Has received and knows house rules, adheres and enforces them with residents.
• Works as a team player: Provides co-staff with clear, articulate communication over recent events with kids, voices concerns, and takes initiative with input and directives.
• Oversees and participates in work projects each week, ensuring the completion of them and the safety of the residents.
• Follows the weekly menu and purchases the accompanying “shopping” list.
• Ensures that the house is functioning at the standard set by Heartlight: oversees the “chore” list for residents which insures all required duties and functions are being accomplished on a daily basis; checking chores, picking up kids from school, getting kids to program on time, meals, purchasing kids needs, house needs, operation of house alarm; provides appropriate support, education and assistance for residents to facilitate individual success and positive group outcomes.
• Understands that both they and the residents they supervise may be assigned “tasks” [e.g. cooking, cleaning, moving tables/chairs, etc.] in conjunction with retreats.
• Maintains a level of cleanliness consistent with Heartlight’s standards in the house, outside the house, and in their personal rooms.
• Participates in all programmed events and leads different programmed activities as appointed by Program Director.

3. Reports

• Responsible for obtaining and forwarding all receipts required for appropriate fiscal management to the Residential Director within 24 hours of activity or service; each receipt must have who/what it was for clearly marked on it when turned in (receipts for resident related expenses – such as personal needs, health care expenditures,; receipts for house expenditures – group activities, equipment/vehicle supplies or repairs; petty cash expenditures)
• Initiates a Weekly Staffing Report on each resident in program assigned to; this is a communication tool to communicate to counseling/leadership staff issues resident’s are dealing with on a daily basis, how resident’s are spending their time, progress [or lack there of] resident’s are making toward achieving goals – or any issue regarding the residential program the staff would like feedback or input on; this report is completed and forwarded to the appropriate Residential Director by 8:00 A.M. every Monday.
• Provides Residential Director and/or resident’s primary counselor with resident information appropriate for development of Plan of Service and Reviews; reads and signs same for each resident directly involved with each time same is initiated or updated.
• Responsible for orienting new residents to the facility and the Heartlight program concerning residential living and the program as a whole.
• Assists Residential Directors in development of appropriate work projects residents may be assigned as a part of the discipline process; assists the House Director as appropriate in oversight of work projects.
• Assists Residential Directors with a weekly house meeting with residents to explore house issues and concerns that have either been identified by residents or staff; documents appropriately regarding same.

4. Necessary Qualifications

• A personal relationship with the Lord that is displayed in word, deed, and action, and is evident in day to day dealings with residents, staff, parents, and co-workers.
• This person will possess knowledge and skills in ministry and interaction with adolescents and their families.
• Possesses a sound working knowledge of Heartlight’s policies regarding resident discipline, education, safety and medical issues, all requirements and responsibilities as detailed in the Policy and Procedure Manual regarding Residential living.
• Possess a sound working knowledge of Heartlight’s Statement of Confidentiality and strictly adheres to guidelines congruent with same as well as applicable law.
• Possesses a sound working knowledge of Heartlight’s policies regarding safety issues and emergency procedures and implements appropriately when needed.
• Possesses a sound working knowledge of Heartlight’s Education Policy and implements it appropriately; may be assigned by the Academic Director to serve as an academic monitor for residents of the program. This person is a liaison position between the resident, academic coordinator and teachers.
• Possesses a sound working knowledge of maintenance requirements of the “house” they are assigned to; performs maintenance in accordance with same and documents accomplishments of tasks.
• Possesses a sound working knowledge of Heartlight’s Medical Policy and implements same appropriately; uses reasonable judgment when an injury is sustained by a resident or fellow staff member or a medical emergency occurs
• Possesses a sound working knowledge of the purpose of Heartlight’s Program: Programmed events (Masters, Bible Study, Q&A, House Venture, Activity Afternoon, Point Time, etc.), Counseling Activities (Small Group, Focus Group, Counseling of Residents), Level System, and Retreats.
• Possesses a sound working knowledge of the purpose of Heartlight’s philosophy and mission statement.

5. Necessary Skills

• Maintains a courteous, Christian attitude in dealing with others within the context of Heartlight Ministries as well as the general public; presents self in a manner consistent with moral issues outlined in Heartlight’s policy regarding same; represents the organization in a manner consistent with its mission and philosophy. Our desire is for your life to be example to other staff, to the kids that surround you, and to the parents who have entrusted their child to live with you.
• This person must have demonstrated abilities in relating well with others in a group setting (i.e. organized group activities such as school/church associated clubs, organizations or sports teams, etc.) and must possess good organizational skills. This person must possess a working knowledge of organizational dynamics and team player concepts. Additionally, this person must possess good communication skills, verbal and written.
• Time management and conflict resolution skills.
• Organizational skills in handling office management and day-to-day scheduling of work priorities and activities.

6. Job Hours and Vacation

• This position functions on a “5 days on – 2 days off” schedule.
• You will also receive 25 days to Paid Time Off during your first year of employment.

Compensation:

• Heartlight will pay you a base salary beginning at an Annual Rate of $20,00. Every 3 months, you will receive a $400 a month increase.  Should you become a House Director, you will also receive an additional $400 a month.  Please refer to additional compensation sheet for details. Your annual compensation based on the above will range from $27,193 to $30,392.
• Room and board is valued at $9,000 for the year.
• Health insurance is valued at $3,960 for the year. Dental insurance is valued at $400 for the year.
• After a year of service, you will have the opportunity to participate in Heartlight’s 401(k) retirement program.
• You also have the opportunity to raise, should you desire, an additional $10,000 to be added to your salary should you decide to participate in the Deputation Process (Details upon Request).