Residential Child Care - Direct Care Staff (Live-In Position)

MooseHeart Child City & School • Mooseheart, IL

7d • Onsite

About The Position

Mooseheart Child City & School is hiring Family Teachers—individuals or married couples—to provide direct care, guidance, and a nurturing family-style home for at-risk youth. This is a live-in position at Mooseheart in Mooseheart, Illinois. Each home averages 6–10 youth, depending on age and enrollment. Family Teachers provide structure and supervision, support children’s emotional and behavioral well-being, teach life skills, and work with educators, specialists, and other support staff. The position includes overnight response responsibilities while on duty and paid three-week training at Mooseheart. The role is expected to begin in early February.

The stated salary is $43,500–$45,000 per person. Rent and utilities are covered, and a monthly household budget is provided. The benefits package includes health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k), paid vacation and sick leave, paid training, possible bonuses, and a company vehicle for work-related use.

The schedule is a live-in caregiver rotation of five days on and two days off, plus an additional day off every four weeks. On duty, staff work 24 hours on those days, with supervision required whenever youth are awake. Typical duties vary by time of day and season, including preparing youth for school, paperwork and meetings, homework support, meals, activities, household routines, and weekend or summer outings.

Requirements

• Must be at least 21 years old.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and ability to pass an MVR check.
• Ability to pass background checks, reference verification, and a psychological evaluation.
• Willingness to complete three weeks of paid training at Mooseheart.
• Ability to meet smoke-free, drug-free, and weapon-free policy requirements.

Responsibilities

• Live on-site in a Mooseheart Family Home and provide direct care, structure, and supervision for at-risk youth.
• Create a warm, emotionally supportive home environment that builds confidence and emotional well-being through positive feedback, empathy, and the Teaching Family Model.
• Teach communication, decision-making, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
• Assist with behavioral challenges and help youth work through personal issues.
• Support youth through emotional and behavioral challenges with compassion and consistency.
• Prepare meals, plan engaging activities, and build family routines.
• Manage household needs, including budgeting, shopping, and transportation.
• Maintain cleanliness in the home and personal quarters so homes are guest-ready and personal quarters are accessible in emergencies.
• Work with educators, specialists, and the support team to ensure youth receive appropriate care.
• Respond to youths’ needs overnight while on duty.
• Follow safety and boundaries policies, attend required trainings, and follow organizational protocols and policies.
• Follow mandated abuse reporting requirements.

Benefits

• Salary of $43,500–$45,000 per person.
• Paid living expenses, including rent and utilities.
• Monthly household budget.
• Health insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Paid training.
• Opportunities for bonuses.
• Company vehicle for work-related use.

What This Job Offers

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