Family Development Specialist

South Hills Interfaith Movement’s (SHIM) mission is to mobilize community resources and implement sustainable programs that compassionately help neighbors meet basic needs, achieve self-sufficiency, and build community. SHIM provides food, clothing, financial aid, education, family support, and a host of other services to 8,000 people in need in Pittsburgh’s southern suburban neighborhoods. In response to the unique challenges faced by the local refugee and immigrant population, SHIM operates programming designed to support children and families in this demographic.

The Family Development Specialist (FDS) is responsible for providing direct service to families who have children ages 0 – 5. In this exempt role, The FDS will help families in dealing with difficult life events and setting personal goals. Direct service provided by the FDS will include home-visits, goal planning, advocacy and referral to link the family with any outside services. The individual will keep accurate notes and files on each family, demonstrate a practical knowledge of child development and understand that relationship building is the key to successful progress.

Essential Functions:

• Develops trusting relationships with parents and their children to provide advocacy, support, and coordinated services linked with the South Hills Family Center.
• Using an evidence-based curriculum, conducts home visits twice a month to increase family’s understanding of child development and parenting skills through activities, goal plans and screenings.
• Facilitates curriculum-based parenting classes and parent-child interaction groups.
• Provides advocacy and referral for services such as, but not limited to, early intervention, education, housing, prenatal care, health / mental health, public benefits, and employment.
• Maintains records and files on each family.
• Utilizes interpretation/translation services as necessary to maintain accurate communication with families.
• Participates in recruitment activities as needed in order to maintain a caseload of 15-20 families.
• Participates in special events, holiday celebrations and field trips to interact with families and build trusting relationships.
• Assists with other programs at the center as the need arises to provide services to families, i.e. Back To School, Family Fun Night, etc.
• Participates in bi-weekly supervision with the Director, staff meetings and professional development trainings and conferences.
• Manage referrals from the Department of Human Services and other agencies.
• Assist with Hello Baby program as needed.
• Other tasks as assigned by management.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Understand family support and the family support principles
• Sensitivity to work with a multi-cultural community
• Knowledge of social service systems in Allegheny County
• Understand that an FDS is a Mandated Reporter Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public and private agencies, colleagues, and participants
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills
• Must possess initiative, productivity, creativity and problem solving skills
• Ability and willingness to work evening and occasional weekend hours
• Ability to work as a team member
• Knowledge of basic office computer software (Microsoft Office) and Internet

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or 4 years of related full-time experience (8 years if part-time experience). An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Four years’ experience in Family Development or a related field

Supervisory Responsibility:

• None

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.

Requirements (SHIM will aid new employees in obtaining clearances):

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Fingerprint Clearance or Pennsylvania ACT153 Waiver
• Pennsylvania Criminal Clearance
• Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance
• Mandated Reporter Training
• NSOR – National Sex Offender Registry