Family Support Specialist

FAYS Family Support Specialist Job Description

Job Type: Full-time Hourly

Salary: $18.00 - $19.00 per hour

Position Classification & Compensation

This role is classified as an exempt or non-exempt full-time employee as those terms are defined in the Center’s Employee Handbook and is eligible for employee benefits as defined for this classification.

Reports to: FAYS Program Manager or Designee

Summary: The Family Support Specialist is part of the FAYS team and participates in the planning, implementing, and evaluating of individual and family sessions, curriculum-based parent and youth skills groups, and other activities as required per contract. The Family Support Specialist ensures a high-fidelity implementation of family support services as described in the approved proposal and contract awarded by Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). The scope of work is subject to change as needed to ensure the project’s success and to meet funder requirements. Likewise, complementary changes may be made to projects or individual goals and employee expectations based on agency/management strategic goals. This is a team project, and team members are expected to be collegial, mutually supportive, and focused on excellent services to clients, fidelity to program models, and ethical provision of services.

Responsibilities

• Understand the scope and breadth of the program’s scope of work and participate as part of a team of professionals in ensuring all services are delivered in accordance with the commitment to the funder.
• Participates in ongoing program planning, monitoring, and quality assurance activities.
• Participate in the Performance and Quality Improvement processes, ensuring services are being delivered with fidelity to model and contractual/licensing obligations.
• Track and document time and services with accuracy to ensure services are provided according to contract provisions and to ensure appropriate reimbursement for services provided.
• Complete all client-related and program-related paperwork according to established timelines and guidelines.
• Adhere to accreditation standards (as developed), licensing standards, and other policies/regulations.
• Flexibly adapts to changes in staffing, program scope, assigned tasks, and modalities utilized.
• Professionally presents cases during staffing, participating in peer sharing and feedback to ensure program services are being delivered with fidelity and in the best interests of the client.
• Actively develops referral sources and client load to ensure individual and team goals are met/exceeded.
• Participate in community outreach, including active membership in relevant coalitions, and provide presentations/booths on universal child abuse prevention and agency programs that benefit the community.
• Learn direct service methodologies employed by the Center and as required by the funder.
• Maintain positive and professional relationships at work sites, including the Center’s campus, schools, client homes, and other partnering organizations.
• Carry out the following direct client services:
• Immediate crisis intervention counseling.
• Intake, assessment, and initial service plan development.
• Individual, group, and family sessions.
• Provide and coordinate basic needs.
• FAYS Express, including Parent Cafés
• Skills-based training for youths and their parents. o Service plan review and update.
• Discharge planning.
• On-call services for the FAYS Hotline.
• Participates as part of the team in problem-solving when issues arise that challenge service delivery and partnerships.
• Performs other assignments as determined by the Program Manager.

Skills

• Knowledge of the Families and Youth Success (FAYS) Program.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to relate well to diverse individuals at all organizational levels.
• A strong results orientation, openness to new ideas, and a proven ability to deliver a consistently high quality of service to clients.
• Excellent time management, organizational, and interpersonal skills, and ability to communicate effectively with individuals from all walks of life.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changes in program scope, assigned tasks, and modalities utilized.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum qualifications for this position include:

• Have a bachelor’s degree in social work or related field; and
• Experience for education may be substituted on a year-for-year basis if the person holding the family support specialist position does not have a bachelor’s degree.
• Have at least one year of relevant program experience.
• Ability to read, write, and speak Spanish and English is preferred.
• Exceptional computer skills, including proficiency in using the Microsoft Office Suite of business applications: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Good time management, organizational, and interpersonal skills, and ability to communicate effectively with individuals from all walks of life.
• Must have driver’s license, vehicle in safe operating condition, and maintain proof of current insurance at Texas minimum standards.
• Must be able and willing to travel for trainings/meetings/conferences.
• Must be able to walk, sit, stand, and lift and carry at least 25 pounds.

Personal & Professional Conduct

• The first responsibility of all El Paso Center for Children employees is to ensure the safety, welfare, and dignity of the youth and families the Center serves and to serve as positive role models for them. All employees must exemplify the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct and abide by the Code of Conduct set forth in the Center’s Personnel Policies.

Flexibility

• Every program at the Center is community and client-centric. Working with diverse partners to meet the needs of families in our community demands flexibility. The scope of work is subject to change based on the team’s performance and the funder’s expectations and on agency/management strategic goals. The flexibility needed in this role includes scheduling of meetings/events/activities. 

Why Work for Us:

• We use evidence-based models that are current and highly respected in our field.
• We provide extensive training opportunities.
• We are a trauma-focused agency that supports clients and staff.
• We have programs that are unique to the El Paso community and even the country.
• We strive for a team work environment.
• We are dedicated to servicing the most vulnerable youth and families in our community! Are you on board?

Benefits for Full-Time Employees:

• Health Insurance – HMO, Dental and Vision (100% paid by the agency).
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO) (12 days first four years)
• Holidays (16)
• Performance bonus time off for salary exempt employees
• Flexible Schedule
• Travel and mileage reimbursement
• All employees who have completed one year of service qualify for a Simplified Employee Pension – Individual Retirement Account (SEP-IRA). Under this plan, the agency contributes 5% of the employee’s gross salary to an individual retirement account in which it is fully and automatically vested.