Cottage Parents

While living on campus, and under the supervision of an assigned Unit Director, the Cottage Parent provides youth with a strong parental role model while implementing a professional family-style program that emphasizes skill acquisition and personal development and a safe and secure environment in which to grow and learn.  The Cottage Parent teaches and develops social skills, self-help skills, academic skills, and independent living skills; and fosters moral and spiritual development through a broad array of activities to youth in residence who typically have a background of low self-esteem, academic failure, and problem behavior. 

The Cottage Parent administers the day-to-day operations of a large family residence including various paperwork, domestic responsibilities, and other assigned duties including administrative directives and works closely with other child care professionals as a team in carrying out responsibilities while in the work place. 

The Cottage Parent is directly responsible to the Unit Director.  This position is not eligible for overtime pay. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

The following duties and responsibilities are given as examples of the various types of work performed in this position.  Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. 

1. Care for youth - The employee provides youth with a strong parental role model while implementing a professional, family-style program that emphasizes skills acquisition and personal development and a secure environment in which to grow and learn. 

2. Knowledge, skills and application - The employee possesses a knowledge base conducive to sound performance and demonstrates ability to put into practice what has been learned from supervision and training and is receptive to ongoing teaching and coaching. 

3. Judgment - The employee exercises sound judgment in terms of knowing when to seek consultation and demonstrates the ability and willingness to stay within the parameters of the Cottage Parent position. 

4. Development - The employee strives to develop professionally and is facilitative regarding the development of youth in assigned cottage. 

5. Dependability - The employee can be counted on to follow through on directives and agency/supervisory mandates and strives to be punctual and to maintain good attendance. 

6. Supervision of youth - The employee provides supervision to youth and alerts supervisor of concerns relative to risk. 

7. Esprit de corps - The employee demonstrates esprit de corps and a willingness to be flexible in assisting other team members in carrying out stated goals. 

8. Communication - The employee communicates effectively both in written and oral forms with all team members regarding the significant psychosocial issues of assigned youth. 

9. Customer service - The employee relates effectively with all assigned youth, parent(s)/guardian(s), case managers, teachers and stakeholders. 

10. Stewardship - The employee demonstrates good stewardship and ensures that assigned buildings, grounds and equipment are maintained in accordance with agency standards and informs maintenance staff of any needs or deficiencies. 

11. Ensures the procurement and purchasing of items for areas of responsibility in accordance with agency purchasing policy and procedures. 
    
    Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and a drug-free workplace.