Houseparent - Short Shift (In-Wait / Relief)

Location: Austin, TX 78758 (Main Campus/Off-Campus)
Program: Residential Treatment Center / Group Home Program
Status: Full-Time or Part-Time, Hourly, Non-Exempt (transitioning to Salaried for core shifts)
Reports To: Cottage Therapist/Supervisor

The Settlement Home for Children is a nonprofit in Austin that provides structured, trauma-informed care to youth who have experienced trauma. For more than 100 years, we have evolved to meet the changing needs of young people through a continuum of care that includes residential treatment, clinical services, and coordinated community supports.

As a Houseparent, you will support the daily implementation of individualized care plans by maintaining a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment that promotes skill development and long-term stability. You will serve as a consistent, professional presence for youth in our care while helping them meet treatment goals and navigate day-to-day life in a group home setting.

In this role, you will:

• Live on-site during scheduled core shifts
• Provide supervision and care to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of residents
• Plan, implement, and facilitate recreational, leisure, and enrichment activities
• Document daily activities, significant incidents, and treatment observations
• Maintain a therapeutic mindset in interactions with residents
• Administer medications as needed
• Perform physical holds safely when a resident poses a danger to themselves or others, in accordance with training and safety protocols

Required Qualifications:

• At least 21 years old
• Valid driver’s license
• Ability to pass FBI fingerprint check and drug screening per state licensing standards
• Ability to meet employment standards set forth by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
• Willingness and ability to perform resident restraints in accordance with training and organizational protocols (once trained)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Some college or higher education
• Experience working with children or adolescents
• Demonstrated psychological sensitivity toward children and understanding of group and individual behavior dynamics

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions:
You must be able to:

• Lift or exert up to 30 pounds occasionally and up to 15 pounds frequently
• Walk, stand, sit, stoop, lift, reach, kneel, crouch, run, climb, balance, and crawl as needed
• Administer physical restraints safely in accordance with training and organizational protocols
• Perform visual inspections, read and transcribe accurately, and operate a motor vehicle
• Hear and respond quickly to emergency support requests via oral communication or electronic devices

Schedule:

Phase 1 – Relief / In-Wait (Hourly)

• Full-time schedule (minimum 30 hours/week once training is complete)
• Sleep at home during this phase
• Variable schedule based on relief needs
• Relief Shift Requirements:
  • Morning: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Evening: 3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
  • Maintain at least two morning shifts and two evening shifts per week, with at least one weekend shift

Phase 2 – Core Short-Shift Houseparent (Salaried)

• Transition when a core Houseparent position opens
• Live/sleep on campus during scheduled shift
• Standard schedule: Wednesday 9:00 a.m. – Saturday 5:00 p.m.

Compensation & Benefits

• Hourly pay during Relief / In-Wait phase, transitioning to salaried pay for core shifts (based on degree and experience), with performance-based increases at six months and annually thereafter
• 100% employer-paid health and dental insurance for full-time employees (30+ hours/week), with optional buy-up plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability, with optional short-term disability
• 401(k) with partial employer match (up to 6%, eligible after 60 days)
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Free meals on campus
• Employee Assistance Program with free counseling sessions
• Flexible Holiday Scheduling options
• Bonus and Referral Program
• Online yoga memberships
• Trainings with CEUs offered regularly at no charge
• Opportunities for clinical supervision hours (for employees pursuing LPC-A or LMSW licensure)
• Free access to Rocket Lawyer for legal documents, email advice, 30-minute consultation, and discounted attorney retention
• Other benefits available for eligible employees

Equal Employment Opportunity
The Settlement Home for Children is an equal opportunity employer. We strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination in recruitment, hiring, compensation, promotion, or any other condition of employment based on legally protected characteristics. We maintain a drug-free and alcohol-free workplace.

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