Houseparent (Male)

Principia The • Des Peres, MO

5d • $43,317 - $58,370 • Onsite

About The Position

Houseparent advances Principia by caring for, loving, and meeting students' needs in loco parentis role. Reporting to the Assistant Director, Home Department, this role plays a critical part in ensuring students thrive spiritually, socially, morally, academically, and physically, and collaborates closely with parents, teachers, and administrators to gauge student progress and determine priorities for students and their needs. Success in this role draws on performing the role of parents while boarding students are away from their own homes, providing the structure, atmosphere, and discipline of home, as well as a character educator. The founder of Principia School, Mary Kimball Morgan, defines character training as the “spiritualization of thought” (Education at The Principia, pg. 107). Houseparents guide and support the spiritual growth of the students. Maintains effective communication with students, parents, faculty, and administrators.

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 are required within one year of the start date
• Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements
• Willingness to live on and supervise a boy's wing at Aron House; this position is limited to male candidates due to the nature of the residential assignment
• Willingness to turn readily to God for guidance
• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in education or a related field
• Experience working with teenagers through education, residential life, coaching, or similar settings
• Experience in building collaborative relationships that foster trust and respect
• 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 students’ 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

• Completed Christian Science class instruction
• Obtain/retain a commercial driver’s license and drive Principia School buses
• Training in medicine administration is required

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
• Counsel boarding students to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their education
• Advise and assist students in navigating difficult situations at school and in the dorm
• Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, and administrators to discuss students’ progress, help resolve behavioral, academic, and other problems, and determine priorities for students and their needs
• 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
• Communicates regularly with parents and families through phone calls, Zoom sessions, emails, technology, and publications
• 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

• Housing and meals on campus
• 90% discount on tuition for eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded)
• Relocation reimbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles
• Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans
• Paid time off
• 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level