JOB DESCRIPTION

DEPARTMENT: Family Support Programs

POSITION TITLE: Family Support Worker

LOCATION: 90 Federal Street, Greenfield MA

STATUS: Non-Exempt

SUPERVISOR: Family Center Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

Provide trauma-informed and strength-based support and programming for families and youth at the Family Center as part of Community Action’s Family Resource Center contract.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• BA in related field, preferred
• Minimum one-year experience (additional preferred) doing case management with families or youth.
• Familiarity with issues confronting at-risk families and/or youth.
• Experience planning and facilitating groups and familiarity with area resources preferred.
• Bi-lingual/bicultural (Latino/Spanish) required.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide programmatic support for the FRC contract and all related programs and services.
• Provide high quality case-management services to families and youth seeking assistance through the FRC.
• Maintain strong understanding of a broad range of local, state and federal resources to assist families and use to provide effective Information & Referral services to families and youth.
• Plan, coordinate, facilitate, implement and evaluate engaging group activities for families and youth, as assigned, including delivering evidence-based curricula or best practices
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with area schools, community-based organizations and service providers to foster effective outreach, networking and referrals.
• Ensure required data and reporting is completed in an accurate and timely manner.
• Assist with ongoing program development and assessment to ensure that services are responsive to community/family/youth needs and are in compliance with all relevant evaluation, funding and regulatory requirements.
• Represent the Family Center and Community Action on area coalitions and at local and regional meetings as assigned.
• Consistently apply and uphold all guidelines, policies and procedures of assigned contracts, Family Support Programs and Community Action.
• Maintains strict confidentiality.
• Required to work some evenings and weekends, flexible schedule required at times.
• Attend all staff meetings, supervision, training and other meetings, as required.
• Other reasonable duties as assigned by the supervisor, director or designee.

SKILLS REQUIRED

• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision and to complete projects in a timely manner in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated effectiveness working with families and youth to overcome barriers and set and achieve goals.
• Excellent networking, outreach, written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse co-workers and community businesses and organizations.
• Proficient with Microsoft Word and Excel, internet, and other computer use including database entry and e-mail.
• Ability to use a strength-based, trauma-informed approach to working with families and youth.
• Sensitivity to the needs of people with low incomes and culturally diverse backgrounds.
• Understanding of child/adolescent development.
• Familiarity with local (Franklin County), state and federal resources and services preferred.
• Excellent verbal (in-person and phone) and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Understanding of data capture and tracking methods.
• Excellent customer service.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Requires sitting for long periods of time.
• Working in office environment.
• Some bending and stretching required.
• Extensive use of telephone required.
• Manual dexterity required for use of calculator and computer keyboard.
• Must be able to lift from 20 – 30 lbs
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include vision, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.

The work environment includes indoor office environments or comparable spaces, and community spaces, with occasional exposure to outdoor weather when traveling to outreach or meeting sites. The noise level varies by site.

AA/EOE/ADA

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of Criminal Offender Record check (C.O.R.I.) prior to hire and every three years. Evidence of a good driving record and ability to be covered under Community Action’s non-owned and hired vehicle policy.

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