Functional Family Specialist -Tama or Marshall County

FOUR OAKS FAMILY AND CHILDRENS SERVICES•Cedar Rapids, IA

13d

About The Position

Four Oaks is hiring a Functional Family Specialist to serve families throughout Iowa's 2nd Judicial District. The role works directly with families who have adolescents ages 10–18, helping them improve communication, strengthen relationships, and develop healthier ways to navigate challenges through the Functional Family Therapy (FFT) model. The specialist meets with families in their homes, assesses family interactions, develops interventions, and supports progress toward individualized treatment goals. The position manages approximately 10–15 families, with services estimated to last 8–26 weeks. It involves at least one hour of home-based family therapy each week, scheduling sessions around family availability, connecting families with community resources, coordinating with schools and service providers, and maintaining accurate case documentation. The specialist also participates in case planning, progress evaluations, permanency planning, and discharge planning.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, social work, human services, criminal justice, or a related field.
Passion for working with adolescents and families.
Strong communication, listening, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to assess family dynamics and help develop meaningful treatment goals.
Comfort working independently and providing services in family homes.
Ability to maintain professional boundaries while building trust.
Ability to manage multiple cases, stay organized, and meet documentation requirements.
Willingness to collaborate with schools, service providers, and community partners.
Scheduling flexibility to meet the needs of families.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in family therapy or youth services.

Responsibilities

Build trusting relationships with families and create a supportive environment where family members feel heard and respected.
Provide at least one hour of home-based family therapy each week, scheduling sessions around family availability.
Use the Functional Family Therapy model to support families with adolescents ages 10–18.
Assess family interactions, identify areas for growth, and develop interventions based on individualized treatment plans.
Monitor treatment goals, recognize improvements, and help families build on their progress.
Manage a caseload of approximately 10–15 families receiving services over an estimated 8–26 weeks.
Identify community services and support systems that can contribute to families' long-term success.
Participate in case planning, progress evaluations, permanency planning, and discharge planning.
Collaborate with schools, medical and mental health providers, referring workers, and other community partners.
Maintain accurate case documentation, treatment updates, and discharge records.
Adjust scheduling to meet families' availability and participation needs.