House Parent in Brandon, Florida at A KID'S PLACE OF TAMPA BAY, INC.

Schedule: Live-In Rotation (7 Days On / 7 Days Off; Thursday through Thursday)

Job Summary:

The House Parent resides in one of A Kid's Place's family-style homes and provides daily care, supervision, support, and guidance to children and adolescents in foster care. Working within a trauma-informed framework, the House Parent creates a nurturing home environment that promotes safety, belonging, personal growth, and healthy development.

The House Parent is responsible for maintaining household operations, supporting children's educational and emotional needs, teaching life skills, coordinating activities, administering medications, transporting youth, documenting services, and partnering with multidisciplinary team members to support each child's success.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Create a Safe and Nurturing Home Environment

• Serve as a positive adult role model and consistent source of support for youth.
• Foster an atmosphere of safety, respect, stability, and belonging.
• Maintain awareness of youth safety and well-being at all times.
• Build trusting relationships through empathy, patience, and effective communication.
• Support youth in developing healthy behaviors, coping skills, and positive decision-making.

Support Child Development and Well-Being

• Participate in the development and implementation of individualized service plans.
• Teach and reinforce age-appropriate life skills, self-care skills, social skills, and independent living skills.
• Encourage educational success and support homework, school engagement, and learning opportunities.
• Ensure youth are prepared for appointments, activities, and daily responsibilities.
• Utilize trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches when supporting youth.

Manage Household Operations

• Prepare and serve nutritious meals in a family-style setting.
• Maintain a clean, organized, welcoming, and well-functioning home.
• Manage household budgets, receipts, youth funds, and expenditures according to agency guidelines.
• Coordinate and facilitate household routines, schedules, and responsibilities.
• Plan and lead recreational, educational, and enrichment activities both on and off campus.

Provide Behavioral and Emotional Support

• Utilize verbal de-escalation techniques and approved behavior management strategies.
• Maintain composure and sound judgment during challenging situations.
• Promote positive conflict resolution and emotional regulation skills.
• Support youth through transitions, challenges, and milestones.

Documentation and Team Collaboration

• Complete all required documentation accurately and within established timelines.
• Maintain confidentiality of youth information and records.
• Conduct admissions, discharges, and related documentation requirements.
• Communicate effectively with direct care staff, supervisors, clinicians, educators, and community partners.
• Participate in staff meetings, training programs, and professional development opportunities.
• Review and respond to emails and agency communications in a timely manner.

Community Engagement

• Encourage participation in positive social, recreational, and cultural experiences.
• Represent A Kid's Place professionally in the community.

• Other duties assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Ability to pass Level II FDLE background screening, local background screening, and drug screening upon hire and as required.
• Ability to work within a smoke-free, alcohol-free, and weapon-free campus environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Education, Criminal Justice, Child Development, or a related field.
• Two or more years of experience working with at-risk youth, foster youth, behavioral health populations, residential care, education, mentoring, coaching, or youth development programs.
• Experience utilizing trauma-informed care practices and behavior management techniques.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to connect with youth from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Excellent communication and active listening skills.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Sound decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to remain calm and effective during crises or stressful situations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic documentation systems.
• Commitment to teamwork, accountability, and continuous learning.

Physical Requirements

• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Frequent standing, walking, climbing stairs, stooping, kneeling, reaching, and bending.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for documentation and household tasks.
• Ability to hear, communicate, and respond quickly to environmental sounds and emergencies.
• Ability to maintain close, distance, and peripheral vision.
• Ability to safely perform all essential functions of the position.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Management reserves the right to modify, assign, or reassign duties and responsibilities as business needs dictate.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
A Kid's Place is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and make employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local law.

E-Verify Participation
A Kid's Place participates in E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees, as required by federal law.

Drug-Free Workplace
A Kid's Place is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace. Employment is contingent upon successfully passing a pre-employment drug screening, and employees may be subject to additional testing as permitted by organizational policy and applicable law.

Background Screening & Fingerprinting
Because we serve vulnerable children and youth, all offers of employment are contingent upon successfully completing a comprehensive background screening, including FDLE/FBI Level 2 fingerprinting, reference verification, and any other screenings required by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) and applicable regulations.