Direct Care Staff - Group Home

Smoky Mountain Children’s Home; Sevierville (TN); On-site; USD 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free housing

Utilities included

Health insurance

Paid vacation

Sick leave

Personal days

Meals on duty

Employee referral bonuses

Foster parent referral bonuses

Job summary

Smoky Mountain Children's Home in Sevierville, TN, is seeking Direct Care Staff for our residential cottage. You will be a heartbeat of the cottage, providing a safe, nurturing, and structured home environment while mentoring youth and supporting daily living, education, and coping skills.

The role offers competitive compensation, housing options, healthcare coverage, paid time off, and bonuses for referrals.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years old.
• High school diploma (or equivalent).
• Valid driver’s license.
• Pass extensive background check and drug test.
• Authorized to work in the U.S.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Mentor youth by providing emotional, physical, and spiritual support.
• Teach daily living and coping skills and help with routines and chores.
• Support education and personal growth plans.
• Maintain a safe, structured cottage environment and provide transportation as needed.

Skills

Bilingual (Spanish/English)

Driver's license

Background check clearance

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

The Opportunity: Make a Lasting Difference

Smoky Mountain Children's Home, a faith-based non-profit organization, is seeking Direct Care Staff at the Sevierville, TN campus.

Are you passionate about helping at-risk youth discover their strengths? At Smoky Mountain Children's Home, we don't just provide care—we help children rewrite their stories. As a Direct Care Staff member on our Sevierville campus, you will serve as a mentor, a guide, and a source of stability for youth in our residential group home.

If you are a dedicated, patient, and compassionate individual looking for a career that prioritizes character and purpose over a paycheck, we want to meet you.

Your Role: A Day in the Life

You will be the heartbeat of the cottage. While the needs of our youth vary, your core responsibility is to create a safe, nurturing, and structured "home" environment.

• Mentorship & Support: Provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support to adolescents, modeling positive behavior and fostering healthy relationship-building.
• Daily Living: Help teach vital independent living and coping skills, facilitate daily routines, and manage household operations (including chores and meal preparation).
• Education & Growth: Assist with activities and ensure our youth stay on track with their academic and personal program plans.
• Safe Environment: Ensure the security of the cottage and the well-being of all residents, providing transportation as needed.

Why Join the SMCH Team?

We believe that the quality of care starts with the quality of our team. We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you so you can best support our residents:

• Competitive Compensation: $26,200 - $30,000 per year, with a $1000 annual increase after a successful 90-day probationary period.
• Housing & Utilities: Free housing, utilities, Wi-Fi, and cable (as available), or a $1,000 monthly stipend added to your base compensation.
• Healthcare Security: 100% paid medical insurance and free life insurance policy, or a $600 monthly stipend.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and personal days.
• Perks: Employee referral bonuses, foster parent referral bonuses, and meals provided while on duty.

What You Bring to the Table

• Requirements: You are at least 21 years old and hold a high school diploma (or equivalent).
• Essentials: You hold a valid driver’s license, can pass an extensive background check/drug test, and are legally authorized to work in the U.S.
• Character: You have a heart for service, the ability to work collaboratively within a team, and the stamina to perform household and caregiving duties.
• Bonus Skills: Bilingual (Spanish/English) candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Schedule

We utilize a structured rotating schedule: 4 days on / 3 days off.

• School Days: 2:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
• Non-School Days: 08:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m or 11:00 a.m - 11:00 p.m. (Note: there is an opportunity for overtime, at time-and-a-half pay, but it is elective).

Why Smoky Mountain Children's Home?

For more than 100 years, Smoky Mountain Children's Home has been meeting the needs of at-risk youth. We provide exceptional care for at-risk children and teens through our Residential, Foster Care, and Adoption programs. Through family counseling, individual therapy, educational opportunities, and structured group living, the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home provides a continuum of care tailored to each resident's needs. Creating a safe and supportive environment allows residents to discover their talents and build on their strengths. This is accomplished by the excellent care of a trained staff and provides each resident the opportunity to overcome the circumstances of their past, while exploring a world of opportunity for their future.

*Smoky Mountain Children's Home does not provide any form of sponsorship to applicants not authorized to work in the US.

* Employee may be wait-listed until adequate housing accommodations are available. Cannot accommodate families in need of more than 3 bedrooms. Pets are not allowed, but emotional support animals are allowed with a physician's note.

Smoky Mountain Children's Home is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.