Family Based Service Provider

Department       Human Services

Classification     Grade 8

Reports to           Human Services Supervisor (Children’s Services)

                               Human Services Director                

Unit                      Teamsters Local #320 (Human Services Unit)        

Supervises          N/A

FLSA Status        Non-exempt

Position Description 

Assist professional staff in the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect and other general child welfare work.  Work directly in the home to prevent or shorten out-of-home placements.  Oversee supervised visitations between parents and children; role model during visitations to assist with healthy and appropriate parenting techniques/strategies. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with social workers to assess family dynamics, determine service needs, and develop goals and expectations.


• Teach and model parenting, nurturing, communication, and discipline techniques.


• Provide instruction on household, time, money management, and meeting family health, safety, and nutritional needs.


• Guide clients in stress management and coping with separation and loss.


• Serve as a positive role model, offering support to build client self-esteem.


• Recognize, report, and respond to signs of abuse or neglect; refer to other agencies as needed.


• Assist with court-related processes, including giving testimony or providing client support.


• Help implement and promote participation in parent education classes and support groups.


• Maintain case documentation and prepare reports for social workers.


• Serve as protective payee, managing budgets and financial responsibilities when necessary.


• Administer drug and hair follicle screenings as required.

Qualifications and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Minimum qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent.


• 2 years home management experience which includes childcare experience

Or educational coursework in home economics, child development, health, social work, sociology or closely related behavioral science.

• Valid driver’s license.


• Successful completion of a Child Protection Background Check (M.S. 299C.60 – 299C.64, as amended) and Predatory Offender Registration Check and Sexual Exploitation Background Check (M.S. 604.20 – 604.205, as amended).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge: Human behavior and family dynamics. Cycle of family violence including physical, emotional and sexual abuse of children and adults. Childcare methods, parenting techniques and child growth and development. Principles of home management. Elements of nutrition and meal planning. Health and safety principles. Drug and alcohol use and abuse. Community resources. Adhere to all laws, statutes, policies and rules with the essential level of confidentiality and safety required of the position.

Skills: Public speaking. Developing and writing plans with families on effective/positive parenting techniques. Proficient in using automated systems relevant to the position.  Communicate effectively both orally and in writing with all stakeholders relevant to the position.  Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills, accuracy, and problem solving.

Abilities: Detect abuse and neglect within a family. Diffuse difficult situations. Teach and motivate people to learn and apply their new knowledge. Work as a member of a team to meet the needs of the client. Plan and organize work effectively. Work hours to meet the client’s needs/adjusted work schedule. Establish and maintain effective working relationships.  Follow established procedures and directives from supervisors. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Work experience with Microsoft Word, Excel.


• Work experience as a licensed childcare, adult care, foster care provider.


• Work experience as a school paraprofessional.


• Work experience in a county social services agency and/or working directly in children’s services in a county social services agency.


• Experience working with families of all ages.

Physical Requirements

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.  Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time.  Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Note (Management Right)

The above position description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.  Regular attendance on the job and the performance of other duties as assigned are required.  The County retains the discretion to add or change the contents of this position description at any time.