Assistant Houseparent (Female)

Principia The • Des Peres, MO

12d • $21 - $24 • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Houseparent supports the Home Department's mission of creating a safe, nurturing, and spiritually grounded residential experience for boarding students. Reporting to the Assistant Director of the Home Department, this role partners with Houseparents and other School staff to support students' spiritual, social, emotional, and academic well-being while helping maintain a positive and well-organized dormitory community. The Assistant Houseparent provides student supervision, mentoring, dorm coverage, administrative support, and residential programming support. This position assists with student guidance, communications, and daily dorm operations while fostering a welcoming environment that encourages character development, self-government, and spiritual growth. The Assistant Houseparent serves in a supporting role to the Houseparent team and is not typically assigned primary responsibility for a specific hall of students or ongoing family communications. Maintains effective communication with students, colleagues, and families as appropriate and contributes to a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive dorm community.

Requirements

• Student of Christian Science; member of Christian Science Church and/or Organization and completed Christian Science class instruction. If not currently a class-taught member of a Christian Science church, both required within one year of start date
• Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements
• Willingness to live in the dormitory setting; this position is limited to male candidates due to the nature of the residential assignment
• Willingness to turn readily to God for guidance
• Experience working with teenagers through education, residential life, coaching, or similar setting
• Demonstrated ability to build positive relationships with adolescents and work collaboratively with colleagues, families, and the broader community
• Valid driver’s license; Encouraged to obtain/retain a commercial driver’s license and drive Principia School buses (Principia provides training); driving records must be in good standing
• Ability to successfully complete an extensive background check process
• Required to obtain a CPR certificate (Principia provides training)
• Willingness to support student’s treatment choice which may include chaperoning students on calls with medical personnel, taking students to medical treatment facilities, and providing responsive and timely follow-up care and communications. Facilitate the storage of medication through processes overseen by the Director of Student Health Care. Training in medicine administration is required
• Willingness to support all boarding students in a co-educational unified boarding program model (Houseparents will only be assigned to residence halls where students share the same birth gender)
• Willingness to nurture spiritual and character development in students who have limited or no prior experience with Christian Science
• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to fostering belonging and mattering within the Home Department
• Awareness of and ability to develop competency in understanding and supporting the cultural needs of international students within a diverse residential community
• Willingness to contribute to broader School programs beyond dormitory responsibilities throughout the academic year, including coaching, substitute teaching, and supporting performing arts activities

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent experience working with adolescents, education, residential life, coaching, or mentoring may be considered

Responsibilities

• Develop and model Christian character while demonstrating an understanding of character education, discipline, and parenting
• Display a love for and relate well to middle and high school students
• Support and mentor boarding students and help connect them with appropriate resources and support
• Staff the dorm while Houseparents are away for the day, work a regular shift in the Aron House office, and provide coverage as needed in the dorm
• Advise and assist students in navigating difficult situations at school and in the dorm
• Support Houseparents in communicating with parents, guardians, teachers, and administrators regarding student needs, activities, and residential life matters
• Assist with developing dorm communications, newsletters, and social calendars
• Act from a Principle-based, rather than a personality-based, standpoint
• Collaborate with the Home Department and the School’s academic faculty and staff
• Listen actively and communicate respectfully and effectively with students, parents/guardians, colleagues, and administrators
• Engage in professional learning experiences that support School progress
• Support relevant Christian Science-based programming that inspires students to turn wholeheartedly to God for guidance and strength
• Attend chapels and other student-focused religious programs
• Participate actively in departmental meetings that are relevant to the home department’s goals and objectives
• Provide leadership opportunities and activities for the boarding students
• Connect with and supervise students during meals in the dining room
• Promote inclusivity and understanding between boarding and day students
• Support cross-departmental initiatives that build meaningful relationships across the School community
• Chaperone School social activities on and off campus

Benefits

• Living quarters are provided in the dormitory at no cost for the employee.
• When school is in session, meals are provided in the dining hall without charge.
• Generous Employee Tuition Discount: Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded).
• Relocation: Principia provides a relocation reimbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles.
• Professional Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans
• Paid time off
• A 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree