Advanced Family Preservation Specialist
About The Position
The Advanced Family Preservation Specialist provides community-based social services in families’ homes for families referred through the Department of Human Services (DHS). Services aim to help children remain in their homes or reunite families after an out-of-home placement. The specialist conducts family assessments, develops intervention plans, delivers needed services, and coordinates with families, DHS, and community providers. The position is supervised by the Program Manager assigned by the Director of Family Preservation Services. The role follows a 40-hour full-time schedule and requires availability to families 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Evening and weekend work is required to accommodate caregiver and child schedules. The position involves in-state travel and requires reliable transportation. The specialist must maintain professional competency, complete required documentation and training, and comply with applicable laws, professional standards, and ethical codes.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related human services field.
- At least one year of experience in a Family Preservation Specialist role, with demonstrated compliance with productivity and documentation requirements.
- National SafeCare Home Visitor Certification.
- Knowledge of family systems, cultural and ethnic diversity, client engagement, and community resources.
- In-state travel is required.
- Reliable transportation.
- Valid driver’s license and current automobile liability insurance and uninsured motorist coverage, with verification provided.
- Proficiency in MS Office processing software and intermediate computer skills.
- Excellent written and oral skills, strong organizational skills, good interpersonal skills, and effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to bend, stoop, climb stairs, and move about freely.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English.
- Report any current or prior confirmed record of child abuse as an adult to NorthCare; such records are subject to NorthCare Executive Team review for hiring or continued-employment approval.
- Complete all NorthCare-required training within 30 days of employment.
- Have a TB test within 12 months before employment or obtain one within 30 days of employment.
- Adhere to applicable laws, professional standards, and ethical codes.
- Casual professional dress is required.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree in social work or a related field.
- Experience in assessment and intervention.
Responsibilities
- Promote a culture of excellent service, professionalism, warmth, and engagement with staff, consumers, and community partners.
- Provide culturally sensitive services in a natural environment convenient to each family.
- See each family at least once per week for no less than one hour, increasing service intensity when safety risks or needs increase.
- Teach communication and negotiation skills, and advocate for families with schools and community agencies.
- Help consumers obtain needed resources and services, and arrange follow-up services after service completion.
- Assist with DHS intake staff meetings, including Family Team Meetings, Family Group Conferences, and Court Reviews; conduct home visits for providers who are unavailable.
- Assist the Program Manager with training new staff through case pairing, observations, and training sessions.
- Complete intake documentation within 24 hours, progress notes within 72 hours, planned discharges within 24 hours of obtaining signatures, and unplanned discharges within 72 hours of directive.
- Conduct multi-level family assessments, develop intervention plans, and provide needed services.
- Provide parent-child visitation and family reunification services for families whose children are in state custody.
- Coordinate professionally with other service providers and maintain positive community working relationships.
- Teach and model SafeCare skills in health, safety, and planned activity training to support parenting, home management, behavior management, and child development.
- Complete at least one observed home visit per quarter with the SafeCare Coach/Trainer to demonstrate SafeCare implementation and maintain National SafeCare Home Visitor certification.
- Maintain professional competency through professional reading, workshops, conferences, and consultation with other professionals.
- Work a 40-hour schedule while remaining available to families 24 hours a day, seven days a week; work evenings and weekends as required by family schedules.
- Submit a weekly schedule to the Program Manager using the Outlook calendar, including consumer name and KK number, address, and telephone number; notify the Program Manager of schedule changes.
- Remain available by cell phone, respond to work-related voicemail within 60 minutes, and read and respond to email daily.
- Attend required agency and program training, DHS staff meetings, and program staff meetings.
- Assist the Program Manager with case reviews and perform other duties assigned by executive leadership.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
