Live in Special Needs Caregiver / House Manager

Location: Great Falls, VA
Compensation: $30–35 per hour
Commitment: Full-time, long-term
Guaranteed Hours: 35 hours per week
Schedule: Wednesday–Sunday

• Wednesday–Friday: 1:00 PM–7:00 PM
• Saturday–Sunday: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
  Start Date: ASAP

Position Overview

A warm, active family in Great Falls, VA is seeking a  Specialized Educational Support Professional / Caregiver to work one-on-one with their bright, engaging 17-year-old son who is nonverbal and has a genetic neurological condition (Polymicrogyria).

This position is particularly well suited for someone with a background in  special education, paraprofessional support, occupational therapy, speech therapy, nursing, psychology, behavioral health, or another educational or clinical setting . The ideal candidate will bring a thoughtful, patient, and encouraging approach to supporting communication, independence, life skills, and daily activities.

The teen communicates through gestures, RPM (Rapid Prompting Method), and a letter board. He enjoys being active and spending time outdoors, including hiking, walking, and swimming. The successful candidate will become an important part of his daily support team, helping him build confidence, independence, and meaningful life skills while providing attentive and engaging companionship.

During weekday afternoons while he is at school, the role will also include light household and organizational responsibilities. This is an excellent opportunity for a professional who enjoys working with adolescents and wants to make a meaningful, long-term impact.

Benefits & Living Accommodations

• 2 weeks paid vacation
• 2 paid sick days
• 2 paid personal days
• 3–6 paid holidays
• Live-in accommodations available
• Private walk-out basement bedroom with windows and private bathroom
• Access to a private kitchen at the family's new residence
• Candidate is responsible for their own groceries and may participate in family dinners

Key Responsibilities

Educational & Developmental Support

• Provide consistent one-on-one support and companionship
• Encourage communication using gestures, RPM, and letter board communication
• Support development of independence, self-advocacy, and daily living skills
• Create and participate in engaging activities that promote learning, confidence, and independence
• Encourage participation in age-appropriate activities and community outings
• Observe and communicate changes in mood, behavior, communication, or needs to parents
• Reinforce strategies and routines established by the family and the teen's professional support team

Personal Care & Daily Support

• Assist with dressing, hygiene, and bathing as needed
• Provide appropriate physical support while encouraging as much independence as possible
• Accompany him on hikes, walks, swimming, appointments, and activities
• Prepare gluten-free meals and snacks

Household & Organizational Support

• Light housekeeping and laundry
• Meal preparation and light cooking
• Grocery shopping and household errands
• Help maintain an organized household
• Assist with packing and preparations for the family's upcoming relocation
• Keep common areas organized and tidy

Ideal Candidate

The family is especially interested in candidates with professional experience in settings such as:

• Special education or general education
• Paraprofessional / classroom aide
• Occupational therapy or occupational therapy assistant
• Speech-language therapy or communication support
• Nursing or hospital-based care
• Psychology, behavioral health, or developmental services
• ABA or other behavioral support
• Specialized adolescent or disability services

Candidates should have a genuine interest in helping young people develop independence and should be comfortable providing both hands-on support and thoughtful developmental guidance.

Qualifications

• Warm, patient, compassionate, and emotionally mature
• Professional experience working with children, adolescents, or individuals with developmental or neurological differences
• Strong communication and observational skills
• Comfortable supporting a nonverbal teen and learning his individual communication style
• Able to encourage independence while providing appropriate hands-on assistance
• Energetic and physically active
• Strong, confident swimmer
• Comfortable participating in hiking, walking, swimming, and other outdoor activities
• Highly dependable, organized, and able to take initiative
• Valid driver's license and safe, confident driving history
• Comfortable around two large hypoallergenic dogs
• Current CPR/First Aid certification
• Able to communicate professionally and effectively with parents and other members of the teen's support team
• Must be able to provide 3–5 professional references

Upon submitting this form, you will be considered for any suitable positions, so there is no need to complete multiple applications.