executive director

house parent

snack bar attendant

meat cutter

groundskeeper

Cal Farleys Boys Ranch

My schedule is more or less all over the place depending on the day, the situation of the kids in my care, and training I'm scheduled to attend.  If I work in the mornings, it's from 8-5 where I problem solve with the 3 different teams as to the best interventions to use for any of the kids in need of them.  Other days, I work from 1pm-9pm.  This allows me to work on notes when I get there, participate in another staff meeting, and then engage the individuals or groups in need of intervention.  

I've learned some very valuable lessons in this job, but most importantly I've learned to be curious and talk to the teenager through questions rather than pronouncement and judgment.  

Our supervisor checks in daily with his interventions staff to review our plans and schedules for the day, week, and month.  While taking his job seriously, he is very relaxed with us because we are quite self motivated and professional in the way we conduct ourselves within our area of expertise

The hardest part of the job are the hours - especially since I am a newly-wed and I mostly work nights while my wife works days.

I love working with the teens and working on helping them through their social, emotional, physical, and spiritual struggles.  There is nothing more rewarding than helping and loving those that have been rejected by those who should love them the most

My experience at cal Farley’s was both the best and worst work experience I’ve ever had. The training (for house parenting) is world class, the facilities are adequate for a company it’s size and some of the staff are truly the most caring and genuine people in the world. In stark contrast to the beauty of boys ranch is the pay scale and supervisory team. The pay is based on a 16 hour work day (yet you are expected to work no less than 21-24 hours most days), when working overtime you are expected to work no less than 16 hours however you are only paid for 8 total. The employee is told that they are “making a difference” and manipulated in to accepting this as “the way things are”. The house parents supervisors are severely undertrained for the leadership role they poses which leads them to belittle and patronize the house parents and youth workers to a point that far surpasses “workplace harassment”. In short, cal Farley’s is a beautiful place to work but know that you will be under paid, over worked, and “parented” by your direct supervisor, also please know that the steaks are high because if you do speak out you are quickly made aware that your job security is unsteady at best. 

Unfortunately this place did not live up to the expectations we had coming. There is little to no respect for those who work hard to meet the needs of the kids. Upper management has high expectations with little to no give back. If anyone speaks the truth they will either be written up or fired. The ones leading have little to no houseparent experience and they are never in the homes. Training is kindergarten level, yet they swear its the best around. You work under pressure 24/7, in fear you are not working up to their standards, even though you are following every policy. If anyone feels threatened by you because of your positive work ethic be prepared to be talked to. Its almost like they do not want trustworthy, hardworking, relational staff. They will hurt you, take you so low, you almost have to fight left to give. You will not feel respected here. We strongly encourage you to look other places. Houseparent dot net is a great place to look at. Keep your options open and do not settle because the pay looks good. 

I will not give an entirely glowing review. This place definitely needs work. Our direct care staff is over worked and often underpaid for everything that they have to do. The kids do not get the mental health help they need and as for physical health the doctor's here are mediocre at best. The management is really washy and if you ask for something and they agree you better get it in writing or they will back pedal. On the flip side, they do provide housing for the house parents and pay for the bills for them. There are several management staff who try to help the employees as best they are allowed to. The kids can be hard but aren't bad. I've been here for years and the ones that leave the earliest and complain the loudest are the ones with a military style, savior complex,  or small children in their care. If you think that this job is easy going in you are mistaken but it's not as bad as several other claim it to be. If you want an honest opinion, find someone who's been here longer than a year or two. 

If you want to work some place where you feel disposable, undervalued, overlooked, overworked, ignored, talked about, and lied to, this is definitely the place for you. Otherwise, keep looking. Administration has boldly said their staff, HP’s especially are replaceable. They have also lied on staff they feel threatened by to get them fired. Administration will talk poorly about people and yet promote those same people. You will never advance in this company unless you absolutely stink at your job. If morals are at all important to you, be prepared to lose them here. If you walk in strong in your faith, you will more than likely walk out not. The kids are the only good part of this organization, plus a few adults that can still be questionable at times. Your name will mean nothing and they will take every chance to destroy who you are. I wish I could give more pros….the place is beautiful, that will have to be all the pros you get. 

I love Cal Farley's Boys Ranch for the amazing work they do for kids at risk. The training is in-depth and helpful in preparing you for the role as effectively as possible.  Overall, management is good to work with. However, like any organization, they have challenges. Meeting the needs of children from challenging backgrounds requires tailored strategies. Sometimes those strategies don't line up with your ideas of how it should go, especially if you're in a role that has constant direct responsibility for the kids. I learned to ask good questions and realize there are things beyond my knowledge that must be done for the overall well-being of the organization.  I would highly recommend Cal Farley's Boys Ranch to anyone wanting to serve Kids at risk and do it at a place that will teach you how to do it in excellence. 

My husband and I were Lead House Parents for almost 8 years. We felt fully supported by all their staff including our supervisors, caseworkers, counselors and upper management. We’ve told so many people that had we known about Cal Farleys we would have come to work here years ago! There isn’t enough space to talk about all the wonderful things Cal Farleys does for its children and staff. As with any job, there are ups and downs but we always felt like we were working with family. We reluctantly left to move back home to be with family. We will always be grateful to Cal Farleys for the love and respect they gave us and for the blessing of hiring us. 

The facilities are fantastic.  There are wonderful opportunities for the children there.  Working there was a nightmare.  Employee moral was low with long hours and no appreciation.  If you had concerns about the treatment certain residents were receiving, you were hushed up and dismissal reasons were invented to have you leave.  Some longtime employees were given privileges that were not a benefit to residents.  If the resident was a jock, they got extra privileges, such as having access to funds others were not allowed to have, less restrictions, control of what the home watched on the television, and items they were allowed to have in their personal area.

Long work days between 12-15 hours a day, six days straight, then three days off rotation.  Houseparent position has very little promotional opportunity; good benefits and wonderful facilities.  Good working relationships with fellow workers is a must to survive in this position.  Days can be long and working with the at risk community is taxing but you learn to grow and adapt.  Rewarding in working with children who come from troubled backgrounds and are seeking love and support.

Honestly, this place is not at all how they make it look during tours or interviews. Honesty is not something they live by. Unfortunately there is not a lot of respect or appreciation for the ones who are on the frontlines daily. Promotions are also very unfair. Do not believe them when they say Christ-like, its not. Trusting should really be something you do not easily do. Please be cautious when considering this place. They brag on how they are the best and have the best training when coming to trauma, however many if not most of the kids and staff who leave struggle with trauma that was inflicted on them. Think twice before joining the “team.”

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Executive director 11 salaries reported	$170,000 per year
House parent 3 salaries reported	$31,833 per year
Snack bar attendant 1 salary reported	$10.00 per hour
Meat cutter 1 salary reported	$14.00 per hour
Groundskeeper 1 salary reported	$14.00 per hour

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