Family Support Specialist

180 Degrees Inc • Saint Paul, MN

10h • Onsite

About The Position

180 Degrees’ youth shelters serve adolescents ages 12–19 who are seeking safety, stability, and support during critical moments in their lives. Youth may enter shelter through county placements, or because they are experiencing homelessness, running away from home, family conflict, exploitation, or safety concerns. Many youth have experienced trauma, instability, or disrupted relationships and come to us at a time when trust, consistency, and dignity matter deeply. The Family Support Specialist plays a key role in developing and delivering accessible, high-quality resources and education for youth, families, and the broader community connected to 180 Degrees programs. This role is responsible for building and maintaining online content, tools, and educational materials through platforms such as website portals and mobile applications to support engagement and increase access to information for those navigating systems related to Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY), Sexually Exploited Youth (SEY), and other system-involved youth. This work ensures youth, families, and community members can access clear, relevant, and practical guidance related to shelter services, family engagement, system navigation (such as child welfare, education, and Safe Harbor), and pathways toward stability. In addition, the Family Support Specialist provides direct support to families connected to Brittany’s Place Youth Shelter. In collaboration with the program team, this includes building relationships with caregivers, supporting communication and engagement during a youth’s stay, and assisting with reunification or transition planning. This work helps inform and strengthen the development of resources and tools that reflect real experiences and needs. This full-time position does not have direct reports.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, social services, psychology, communications, public health, education, or a related field, and two years of experience working with families in crisis, youth or residential services, or navigating social service systems; an associate’s degree and relevant experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis
• Experience navigating or supporting others through systems such as child welfare, education, mental health, juvenile justice, or Safe Harbor
• Experience using basic digital tools and platforms (e.g., website content, shared resources, or similar systems) and willingness to learn new platforms
• Valid driver’s license and insurance; dependable transportation for traveling to community partners and events
• Ability to clear a Department of Human Services background study
• Minimum age: 21
• Trauma-informed communication and family engagement
• Empathy, boundary-setting, and strengths-based support
• Ability to translate complex systems, services, and policies into clear, accessible, and practical information
• Ability to engage families from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds in a respectful, trauma-informed manner
• Ability to work both independently (developing content and resources) and collaboratively with program staff and external partners
• Ability to translate complex systems and information into clear, accessible, and user-friendly resources for diverse audiences
• Strong written communication skills, including experience developing educational materials, guides, or content for families, youth, or community members
• Ability to design and organize resources that are user-friendly and relevant to youth, families, and community members
• Service coordination, referral, and advocacy
• Strong understanding of trauma, adolescent development, family systems, and strengths-based approaches
• Ability to balance family needs with youth-centered safety and shelter policies
• Collaboration across teams and with external partners
• Organization, follow-through, and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Accurate and timely documentation

Responsibilities

• Develop, organize, and maintain online educational content for youth, families, and community members across platforms such as website portals and mobile applications
• Create accessible, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive materials related to RHY and SEY systems, Shelter expectations and processes, Family engagement and reunification, Navigating systems (child welfare, education, housing, Safe Harbor, etc.)
• Translate complex systems and processes into clear, user-friendly tools, guides, and resources
• Build engagement strategies that allow users to access information independently, at their own pace
• Collaborate with internal teams and youth voice, such as Youth Action Board, to ensure content is relevant, accurate, and responsive to real needs
• Continuously evaluate and update content based on feedback, trends, and program changes
• Serve as a point of contact for parents and caregivers of youth staying at Brittany’s Place, as needed
• Build respectful, trauma-informed relationships with families to support engagement during a youth’s stay
• Facilitate communication between families, youth, and shelter staff when appropriate
• Provide orientation and education to families regarding shelter expectations, safety protocols, and available services
• Support families in understanding aftercare plans, resources, and next steps
• Partner with case managers and Program Manager to support transitions back to family, alternative placements, or community-based services
• Assist families in navigating systems such as DHS, Safe Harbor, education, and community resources (without providing legal advice)
• Help connect families to external providers and resources as appropriate
• Support families in building skills related to communication, boundary-setting, and crisis planning
• Provide limited direct coaching, workshops, or support groups for families as appropriate
• Connect families to basic needs resources, such as transportation, food, clothing, and emergency support
• Support tracking of engagement and outcomes related to family involvement and transitions
• Collaborate with program staff to ensure alignment between direct service delivery and resource development
• Participate in team meetings, case reviews, and training related to family engagement and systems navigation
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation and support data tracking efforts
• Contribute to development and evaluation of performance measures related to engagement, access, and outcomes
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Sign on Bonus of $600 (Half paid out at 3 months and the other half at 12 months).
• Paid time off (PTO) starting at 18 days annually.
• Medical, Dental, FSA & HSA options
• Life, STD, LTD
• 401K company match up to 4%
• 12 paid company holidays

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees