House Manager

Our Live-In House Managers help create a safe, welcoming and connected community within each of our houses, while providing calm and practical support when issues arise after hours.....

Founded by Hawthorn West Baptist Church forty years ago, Servants is a registered housing provider and not-for-profit organisation supporting people at risk of homelessness with safe, stable, and affordable housing in Melbourne, VIC.

We have two positions available:

Our current house managers at Carrical, a couple with 1 year old twins and a 13 year old have lived on site for about 5 years. The flat is no longer large enough and reluctantly, will be moving to larger accommodation in November.

We have a women's only house with a bungalow in the rear yard for a female house manager. This position will be available in June 2027.

Position Overview

In a nutshell, our Live-In House Managers help create a safe, welcoming and connected community within each of our houses, while providing calm and practical support when issues arise after hours.

Live-In House Managers are central to Servants’ unique rooming housing model. Reporting to the Tenancy Manager, they provide a consistent, non-judgmental and pastoral presence within the house, helping residents feel welcomed, known and part of a community.

House Managers support the smooth running of the house after hours, respond to resident enquiries and concerns, and assist when unexpected or urgent situations arise. Just as importantly, they help foster the everyday connections that make Servants more than simply a place to live.

House Managers are not expected to remain on site 24/7. They continue to live their own lives, while making their home in a private unit on the same property as residents. This means they are present and make themselves available to build relationships, respond when needed, and help create an environment where residents can feel safe, connected and supported to grow and flourish.

The Role

Resident general well-being

• Maintain a presence to enable a watchful eye on the general well-being of residents
• Respond to door bells and enquiries
• Respond promptly to resident complaints and grievances
• If present, assist with major emergencies or fire evacuations
• Report any perceived serious health deterioration of a resident to Servants Tenancy Team

Housekeeping

• Daily: Set up breakfast items for a buffet breakfast – 6 mornings a week or set it up late evening the night before
• Daily: Distribute mail
• Ad hoc: Open doors for residents who lock themselves out
• Ad hoc: Report urgent maintenance issues
• Ad hoc: Liaison with volunteers (eg. church group once a month on a Saturday night)
• Ad hoc: Be prepared for anything!
• Adhere to OHS policies and procedures
• Take action as outlined in policy and procedures in a crisis or an emergency
• Assist in monitoring the workplace to identify and report hazards
• Report any building, furnishing or equipment problems to Management
• Attend weekly 1 hour team meetings
• Attend monthly staff meetings
• Attend training eg. First Aid, Mental Health First Aid
• Attend occasional events
• Such other duties which may arise from time to time as long as negotiated.

General

Key selection and success criteria

Servants Community Housing recognises the unique and integral role that Live-In House Managers can provide in building and establishing a caring environment within the Servants model of housing.

Beyond the skills, knowledge and experience required to fulfil the duties described in this Position Description, three further attributes are identified as essential for success:

• Temperament: The capacity and willingness to live among and identify with, Servants Community Housing Residents.
• Humility: The willingness to follow established rules and procedures, to apply appropriate boundaries with residents, and to follow directions established by the Tenancy Manager and CEO.

Therefore, selection is based on the following criteria:

Appropriate Skills, Knowledge and Experience, Values Alignment, Wisdom and Temperament.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience Selection Criteria

• Commitment to high ethical standards, our code of conduct, and alignment with Servants’ values (relationship, dignity, opportunity).
• Ability to work with diverse and vulnerable residents, including people with disabilities and acute mental health conditions. Experience working or living with vulnerable people groups is highly favoured.
• Ability to abide by regulatory standards and maintain appropriate boundaries.
• Exceptional interpersonal and negotiation skills, including demonstrated conflict management experience.
• Flexibility and willingness to consistently respond to resident enquiries, complaints, and grievances.
• A willingness to learn, grow, be challenged, and experience the benefit of life together with Servants.

Additional Requirements

• Servants takes safeguarding seriously. All employees require a National Police Check, must have the ability to secure a Working With Children’s Check, and must abide by the policies and procedures of Servants Community Housing.
• First Aid Certificate (or willingness to obtain)
• Some flexibility to attend meetings

We believe God put us there…….We didn't want to evangelise them, but we didn't want to just run an uncaring boarding house either. We wanted to serve them as Jesus would have done."

Quote from Pastor Kevin Smith of Hawthorn West Baptist Church, a founder of Servants Community Housing, 1986.

Additional Application Instructions

There is flexibility with move in dates. To obtain a position description or further information, please call Amanda on 0417085443