Cottage Parent (Winston-Salem Campus)

Crossnore • Winston-Salem, NC

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Crossnore Communities for Children is hiring a Cottage Parent at its Winston-Salem campus. The Cottage Parent provides care and supervision for children and youth in a residential setting, meeting their basic needs and creating a nurturing, structured environment that supports their physical, social, emotional, educational, and spiritual growth. The role includes modeling and teaching daily living skills, supporting residents as they heal and develop resilience, and providing consistent guidance and behavioral support.

The schedule is a Tuesday-to-Tuesday rotation of seven days on and seven days off. The position requires overnight stays and remaining on campus for the entire on-shift week, including holidays. Housing is not provided during off-shift weeks, and reliable transportation to and from campus is required. Housing and meals are included while on shift. The hiring range is $35,000 to $41,000 annually, with compensation based on experience and qualifications.

Cottage Parents work with an interdisciplinary team to support each resident’s needs and goals, including through individualized Plans of Care and the Sanctuary Model. They maintain accurate documentation, manage cottage finances, prepare meals, and keep the cottage and vehicle safe and inspection-ready. The role includes ongoing training and may require covering other cottages. Contact with clients or family members may involve people who are hostile, resistant, or violent.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Understanding of age-appropriate independent living skills and ability to teach them effectively.
• Experience handling crisis situations and sensitivity to cultural factors in caregiving.
• Commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and antiracism.
• Flexibility in working with children and youth from diverse backgrounds, including different races, nationalities, sexual orientations, and gender identities.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills for effective teamwork.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion, especially in high-stress situations.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel for job-related purposes.
• Willingness to care for the cottage dog.
• Successful completion of extensive background checks, interviews, and a pre-hire drug screen.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or a related field.
• Residential child care experience.
• Knowledge of child development and/or prior experience working with at-risk populations.
• Proficiency with basic technology, including email and computers.
• A sense of humor, creativity, and willingness to learn from mistakes.
• Enthusiasm for tackling challenges and helping children grow.

Responsibilities

• Meet residents’ basic needs, including food, clothing, housing, nurturing, and supervision.
• Maintain a structured daily routine covering wake-up, meals, transportation, chores, leisure and exercise, study time, hygiene, and bedtime.
• Model and teach independent living skills, including laundry, personal hygiene, meal preparation, and caring for the cottage dog.
• Prepare wholesome, family-style meals and manage and account for grocery and activity funds and the cottage budget.
• Maintain the cottage and vehicle in safe, inspection-ready condition.
• Collaborate with school staff, monitor academic progress, and provide behavioral support.
• Guide residents through problem-solving, conflict resolution, and individual and group challenges.
• Plan cottage activities that align with therapeutic goals and provide loving supervision.
• Work with the interdisciplinary team to assess residents’ needs and support their individualized Plans of Care.
• Use the Sanctuary Model to create a therapeutic environment with structure, routine, and healthy boundaries.
• Respect confidentiality and residents’ rights, and provide guidance tailored to hygiene, grooming, and cultural considerations.
• Complete documentation promptly, including incident reports, medical records, and cottage budgets.
• Make thoughtful decisions consistent with program guidelines and the program’s mission, including during crises.
• Participate in ongoing training, including at least 24 hours of continuing education annually.
• Help cover other cottages when needed while promoting a healthy and safe environment.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance, including $0 copay for mental health visits with the health insurance plan.
• Life, short-term disability, and long-term disability plans.
• Critical illness and accident coverage options.
• Flexible Spending Plan.
• 401(k) with employer match up to 6%.
• Ongoing training.
• Housing and meals while on shift.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED