Family Engagement Specialist- Part Time

Family Forward • Hillsboro, MO

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

This part-time position provides supervision and parent education during court-ordered visitation sessions. Responsibilities include monitoring parent-child interactions, providing supportive coaching and education to parents, documenting visitation activities, and transporting children to and from scheduled visits. Work hours will primarily consist of evenings and weekends to meet the needs of families and court-ordered schedules.

Requirements

• High school diploma, or equivalent required.
• Possess a valid driver's license, current auto insurance, and maintain an acceptable driving record.
• Reliable personal transportation sufficient to perform the required travel.
• Able to pass a satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check upon hire and annually.
• Ability to remain calm and professional when working with families experiencing conflict or emotional stress.
• Knowledge of agency vision, mission, and services.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing needs and time pressures.
• Ability to exercise discretion and sound judgement.
• Ability to disseminate information clearly and concisely.
• Ability to communicate professionally with coworkers, customers, donors, and vendors.
• Ability to create and sustain positive working relationships with all levels of the agency; internal and external.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with children, preferred.
• Basic knowledge of and/or training in the Missouri Foster Care program, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and facilitate visits between youth in foster care and biological parents, providing guidance and education to parents.
• Maintain professional standards during visitation and document observations objectively.
• Prepare timely, accurate, objective, and factual documentation of visitation activities in accordance with agency, contractual, and court requirements.
• Complete documentation during visits when appropriate and feasible, or ensure all documentation is completed and entered within established program timeframes.
• Coordinate visitation schedules with families, foster parents, and other involved parties while responding to scheduling changes and cancellations as needed.
• Maintain regular communication with case managers, foster parents, biological families, placement providers, and other stakeholders regarding scheduling, visitation updates, transportation, and service needs.
• Respond to visit cancellations or schedule changes by completing documentation, communication, scheduling activities, transportation adjustments, or other assigned work as directed.
• Maintain flexibility to accommodate family availability, court schedules, transportation needs, and other operational requirements, including evenings and weekends.
• Assist group members with integration techniques and application of skills taught.
• Intervene as required during visitations between youth and parents.
• Establish and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with parents, placement providers, and children as needed.
• Encourage participation of group members.
• Participate in Family Support Team Meetings as necessary.
• Provide weekly reports to the foster care case manager.
• Complete annual training in Child Abuse and Neglect identification, and Mandated reporting and prevention training, as well as other required trainings.
• Maintain confidentiality of client information in accordance with agency policy and applicable federal and state confidentiality laws.
• Fulfill all mandated reporter responsibilities in accordance with Missouri law and agency policy.
• Transport children safely to and from court-ordered visitation sessions and other approved locations as assigned.
• Travel to transport children and facilitate supervised visitation at community locations, agency sites, and other approved settings. Travel may include locations outside the employee's primary work location or regularly assigned geographic area, based on program and client needs.
• Maintain any vehicle used to transport clients in a safe, clean, and sanitary condition; including being free from strong odors.
• Comply with all traffic laws and agency policies regarding the transportation of children and families, must meet FamilyForward's vehicle safety and insurance requirements.
• Ensure the safe use of child safety seats and other required passenger safety equipment during transport.
• Immediately report any accidents, moving violations, or changes in driving status that could affect the ability to perform transportation duties.

Benefits

• Strong peer support with a focus on teamwork
• Emphasis on professional learning, growth, and development
• The diversity of the position gives you opportunities for new experiences
• Member and active participant in the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce
• Gateway Equity Institute Non-Profit Partner

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED