Residential Staff

Residential Live-In Life Coach & Mentor

Summary
Full Description

Summary Overview of Residential Staff Position.

Heartlight Ministries is seeking compassionate, dedicated residential staff to live life alongside struggling teens in a supportive residential setting. Residential staff serve as mentors, role models, and daily caregivers, helping residents navigate difficult circumstances while providing hope, encouragement, accountability, and a picture of God’s character through authentic relationships.

As a member of the Heartlight residential team, you will directly invest in approximately eight residents, supporting their personal growth, participating in daily program activities, maintaining a safe and structured environment, and working closely with Residential Directors and counseling staff to help each young person succeed.

Qualifications

Personal relationship with the Lord demonstrated through daily actions and interactions

Knowledge and skills in ministry and working with adolescents and families

Understanding of Heartlight policies, procedures, safety standards, confidentiality requirements, and program philosophy

Strong communication, organizational, time management, and conflict resolution skills

Ability to work effectively in a team environment and lead by example

Schedule & Commitment

Five days on, two days off schedule

Participation in programmed activities, house responsibilities, and resident supervision

Involvement in retreats, work projects, and residential programming as assigned

Twenty-five days of Paid Time Off during the first year of employment

Compensation & Benefits

Base salary beginning at $20,000 annually

Room and board

Health & Dental Insurance

$400 monthly increase every three months

Additional $400 monthly compensation for House Directors

Eligibility to participate in Heartlight’s 401(k) program after one year of service with 8% Employer Match.

Opportunity to raise an additional $10,000 through participation in the Deputation Process

1. Introduction

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.

2. Qualifications

A personal relationship with the Lord that is demonstrated through words, actions, and daily interactions with residents, staff, parents, and co-workers.

Knowledge and skills in ministry and working with adolescents and their families.

Thorough understanding of Heartlight’s policies regarding resident discipline, education, safety, medical issues, and all requirements outlined in the Policy and Procedure Manual for Residential Living.

Commitment to maintaining confidentiality in accordance with Heartlight’s Statement of Confidentiality and all applicable laws.

Familiarity with Heartlight’s safety policies, emergency procedures, and the ability to implement them appropriately when needed.

Understanding of Heartlight’s Education Policy and the ability to serve as an academic monitor when assigned, acting as a liaison between residents, teachers, and the Academic Coordinator.

Knowledge of the maintenance requirements for the assigned residence and the ability to perform and document necessary maintenance tasks.

Understanding of Heartlight’s Medical Policy and the ability to exercise sound judgment when responding to injuries, illnesses, or medical emergencies involving residents or staff.

Familiarity with the purpose and structure of Heartlight’s program, including programmed events, counseling activities, the level system, and retreats.

A clear understanding of and commitment to Heartlight’s mission, philosophy, and approach to residential ministry.

3. 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.

2. 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.

Initiates a Weekly Staffing Report on each resident in program assigned to and forwards it 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.

3. Schedule & PTO

This position functions on a 5 days on – 2 days off schedule, providing consistent involvement in the daily lives of residents while allowing for regular personal time away from responsibilities. Residential Staff are expected to actively participate in the supervision, care, programming, and support of residents during their scheduled workdays, as well as assist with activities and events as assigned.

In addition to the regular work schedule, employees receive 25 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) during their first year of employment, allowing for planned vacations, personal time, and other approved leave throughout the year.

4. Compensation Package

The Salary Range for this position is between The Salary equivalent for this position is between $28,000 to $30,000.

Heartlight offers a compensation package designed to support staff both professionally and personally while they invest in the lives of young people. Residential Staff begin with a base salary of $20,000 annually, with compensation increasing by $400 per month every three months. Staff who advance to a House Director role receive an additional $400 per month. Based on this structure, annual compensation typically ranges from $27,193 to $30,392.

In addition to salary, Heartlight provides significant living benefits. Room and board, valued at approximately $9,000 annually, are included as part of the position. Employees are also eligible for health insurance, valued at approximately $3,960 per year, and dental insurance, valued at approximately $400 per year.

After completing one year of service, employees may participate in Heartlight’s 401(k) retirement program. Staff members also have the opportunity, if they choose, to participate in the Deputation Process, which can provide up to an additional $10,000 in annual income. Additional details regarding this opportunity are available upon request.