Family Support Specialist I

Polk County • Bartow, FL

10d • Hybrid

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of the Family Support Supervisor, the Family Support Specialist is responsible for optimizing the home environment for the physical and mental well-being of children who are at risk of being abused/neglected, and their families. This role requires the physical, developmental, and mental ability to perform job tasks, work efforts, responsibilities, and duties.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited high school or possess an acceptable equivalency diploma.
• Two (2) years experience working with infants or young children.
• Two (2) years experience working with or providing services to children and families.
• Two (2) years experience working with culturally diverse populations (economically disadvantaged, minorities, etc.).
• At least two (2) years demonstrated knowledge of infant and child development (through babysitting, childcare, and/or classroom work).
• At least two (2) years experience in a job or environment requiring openness to reflective practice (i.e. has capacity for introspection, communicates awareness of self in relation to others, recognizes value of supervision, etc.).
• Evidence of knowledge and ability to use proper channels of communications.
• Demonstrated ability to accept individual differences.
• Demonstrates motivation and ability to learn and apply basic counseling skills.
• Demonstrates a motivation to familiarize self with parent-child interaction and child development materials, and the dynamics of child abuse and neglect.
• Ability to use good judgment and make independent decisions with clear and professional boundaries.
• Ability to learn and follow department policies and procedures.
• Ability to follow proper universal precautions and infections control techniques per policy.
• Responsible for maintaining a professional and safe department and work area in line with established Safety Policies and the image desired for the organization.
• Maintains and demonstrates current knowledge and operational techniques on all pieces of equipment utilized by this position.
• Ability to use curriculum, developmental, and assessment tools.
• Ability to become familiar with community resources and utilize such resources to meet participant needs.
• Ability to satisfactorily implement case plan.
• Responsible for attending required meetings, required in-services, conferences, etc.
• Must possess good interpersonal skills.
• Must have the ability to relate to participants in a non-judgmental manner while maintaining cultural sensitivity.
• Ability to display a positive guest relations attitude.
• Ability to deal tactfully with participants, co-workers, community agencies and the general public.
• Ability to work harmoniously within Healthy Families Polk, with professional and non-professional employees within and outside the organization.
• Ability to work well as part of a team and be able to function independently when needed.
• Ability to read, write, and understand the English language.
• Ability to provide transportation for a participant as appropriate.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license or be able to secure a valid Florida driver’s license at the time of employment.
• Must not have had a preventable crash or a moving violation within twelve (12) months prior to making application.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual abilities (speak, read, write) in any language a plus.
• Infant mental health endorsement preferred.
• A comparable amount of related training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications at the discretion of the Health and Human Services Director.

Responsibilities

• Assists in strengthening the parent-child relationship through improving parenting skills and meeting dependency needs of parents.
• Works with individual participants and groups.
• Establishes a trusting relationship with at-risk families by initiating and maintaining appropriate participant contact.
• Establishes a family support plan with goals, objectives, and activities with the supervisor, and follows through with implementation.
• Assists parents in making and attending appointments for doctors, social service agencies, etc.
• Acts as a liaison between families and other community agencies.
• Familiarizes self with community resources appropriate to needs of the families.
• Meets with Supervisor on a weekly basis to evaluate participant status.
• Attends regular staff meetings, case conferences, in-service training, and other meetings as required.
• Documents home visit observations and activities in a consistent and timely manner.
• Demonstrates ability to work as part of a team as well as independently.
• Consistently follows County, Healthy Families Polk, and Healthy Families Florida policies and procedures.
• Performs related duties as required.
• May be required to lift, move, and/or maneuver equipment and supplies not to exceed forty-five (45) pounds.
• Must possess sight/hearing senses.
• May be exposed to safety hazards, contaminations, and infectious diseases including HIV and Hepatitis virus.
• Must be willing and able to work a flexible schedule to accommodate the needs of program participants.
• Must have a home telephone at the time of employment as employee is subject to call out.
• Applicant, including rehires are required to complete a Level 2 background screening (FBI Check) prior to employment.
• Applicant must also sign the Healthy Families Florida Standards of Confidentiality and Information Sharing Form, The Department of Children and Families Security Agreement and the Affidavit of Good Moral Character form prior to employment.
• Any Healthy Families staff personally involved in a Department of Children and Families investigation is required to notify their direct supervisor.
• The Healthy Families Division is responsible for assisting in the Emergency Management Operations for Polk County in the event of an emergency such as a hurricane. The Healthy Families Division staff may be called upon to staff special needs shelters or assist with arranging transportation for participants.
• This position shall be required to report for work as directed when a declaration of emergency has been declared in Polk County.

Benefits

• A comparable amount of related training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications at the discretion of the Health and Human Services Director.

What This Job Offers

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