Houseparents

Palmer Home for Children; Lake Cormorant (MS); On-site; USD 32,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Palmer Home for Children is seeking compassionate Houseparents to provide loving, trauma-informed care in a safe, home-like setting for up to eight children. You will work within a collaborative team, supporting educational, emotional, physical, and spiritual development while upholding our Christian mission.

Responsibilities include meeting basic needs, coordinating with case managers, participating in trainings, and maintaining a tidy home.

Qualifications

• Must agree with Palmer Home for Children Statement of Christian Beliefs and demonstrate commitment to Christ.
• Able to collaborate in a close-knit community working as a team.
• Prior experience working with children.
• Able to work in homes of either gender and any age group (0–17).
• Ability to understand and implement care plans.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Must be legally eligible to work in the United States and pass a criminal background check.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and good driving record.
• Must be physically able to meet the basic needs of children under care.
• English language proficiency required.
• Must demonstrate flexibility and willingness to undertake multiple roles.

Responsibilities

• Meet basic physical needs of each child, provide nutrition, maintain a clean and sanitary home.
• Collaborate with Case Managers and Houseparents to address concerns or needs.
• Participate in Whole Child Initiative certification and ongoing training.
• Attend weekly staff meetings and other required trainings.
• Maintain a clean, organized home; assist with chores like laundry, dishes, sweeping, mopping.
• Manage household budget and ensure prudent spending of funds.
• Assist in implementing care plans for children.
• Work with staff to maintain a safe and welcoming campus living environment.
• Engage in local church activities and model Christian values.
• Transport children to school and appointments using Palmer Home vehicles.
• Coordinate with Assistant Caregivers to arrange support as needed.

Skills

Team collaboration

Trauma-informed care

Christian mission alignment

English proficiency

Flexible/adaptable

Driving eligibility

Child experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

Organization

Palmer Home provides superior care for children while introducing the love of God through our service to each individual child.

Position

Houseparents care for children in a residential setting and use a professional, team-oriented, trauma-informed approach to provide a safe, healing, homelike environment. Houseparents manage homes of up to eight children and support our Whole Child Initiative by nurturing each child educationally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. The ideal houseparents should be mature, responsible, ministry-minded, and mission driven.

Responsibilities

• Ensure basic physical needs of each child are met, proper nutrition is provided, a clean and sanitary home environment is maintained; this includes appropriate clothing, healthy amounts of physical exercise, and doctor visits as needed
• Collaborate with Case Managers and Houseparents to identify, address, or report any concerns, permissions, or specific needs
• Participate in Whole Child Initiative certification and continued training
• Participate in weekly staff meetings and other identified training
• Maintain a clean and organized home environment. Responsibilities may include tasks such as laundry, washing dishes, sweeping, mopping as needed, and maintaining a clutter-free communal area
• Effectively manage household budget and ensure allocated funds are being wisely spent
• Assist in the implementation of care plans for children.
• Work collaboratively with other Houseparents and staff to uphold and maintain the campus living environment
• Active participation in a local church and modeling Christian values at all times
• Transport children to and from school, necessary appointments, extra-curricular activities, or planned events, using a Palmer Home vehicle assigned to the cottage
• Coordinate with Assistant Caregivers to arrange added support or supervision as needed for appointments, outings, and other activities.

Qualifications

• Must be in agreement with the Palmer Home for Children Statement of Christian Beliefs and demonstrate a strong commitment to Christ consistent with the mission of Palmer Home status as a non‑profit religious organization.
• Able and willing to collaborate in a close‑knit community that works together as a team.
• Prior experience working with children.
• Able and willing to work in homes of either gender and any age group (0‑17).
• An ability to understand and implement care plans.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Must legally be able to work in the United States and pass a criminal background check.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and good driving record.
• Must be physically able to meet the basic needs of children under care.
• English language proficiency required.
• Must demonstrate flexibility and understanding due to unforeseen circumstances and multiple roles required in daily activity.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of this position.

Learn more about our current houseparents and frequent questions here!

Location: Hernando, MS

Job Type: Full-time

Palmer Home for Children is committed to maintaining a workplace and culture that reflects dignity, respect, belonging, and compassion for all people. Job descriptions and employment practices will use inclusive language and demonstrate our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, aligned with our mission, values, and Whole Child Initiative approach. We strive to ensure language is trauma-informed and sensitive to the cultural, socioeconomic, and lived experiences of the children, families, and communities we serve. Through a relationship-centered model of care, we seek to create environments where children, families, and staff feel safe, valued, and supported. To support continued alignment with best practices, organizational needs, and accreditation standards, job descriptions will be reviewed and updated regularly.