Family Support Specialist

About the Organization:

African Community Housing & Development (ACHD) is a culturally specific, community-founded organization led by visionary Black women and a community Board of Directors. ACHD works towards an informed African Diaspora immigrant and refugee community that is engaged in the holistic development of families, communities, and environment. ACHD focuses on equitable and culturally relevant health, legal, and educational services; housing stability and economic development; and land-use, real estate, and property development. Collectively, ACHD staff speak a dozen languages, and the majority identify as Black or People of Color.

About the Position:

The Family Support Specialist will work closely with families receiving services through a variety of programs. The ideal Family Support Specialist is a member of the African Diaspora community and/or a case manager with experience working with a diverse community and can work in a culturally responsive way. This position will offer support to various education programs and families, so flexibility is key—and a breadth of experience would be preferable.

Position Duties:

· Conduct holistic intakes with new participants

· Orient prospective participants about available services and determine eligibility as appropriate

· Provide interpretation services as needed 

· Connect participants to services & resources both in and out of ACHD

· Mediate, problem-solve, and coordinate individualized services for participants

· Ensure services are documented and reported in accordance with agency and regulatory standards, as well as applicable grant requirements

· Participate in trainings when applicable 

· Perform outreach to engage families along with the outreach team

· Transport students safely in ACHD transit vans to and from programs and field trips

· Work alongside the teacher to facilitate programming

Required Qualifications:

· 2+ years’ experience working in social services, case management, education, social work, or related field

· Associate degree in communications, social work, education, or related field  

· Excellent time management skills and ability to meet deadlines

· Strong verbal communication and writing skills

· Proficiency with software tools such as Microsoft Office 

· Experience working respectfully with diverse communities, including non-English speakers

· Valid WA state driver’s license

· Acceptable results of a Motor Vehicle Record report at the time of hiring and periodically thereafter, and maintenance of minimum acceptable insurance coverages are required for this position 

· National background check

Preferred Qualifications:

· Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, nonprofit management, education, or related field

· Fluency in an African language, especially Somali, Amharic, Tigrinya, or Swahili

· Experience with Apricot or another case management database

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Benefits Package: African Community Housing & Development offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), 401(k) retirement plan, 11 paid holidays, 10 sick days accrued monthly, and 15 vacation days accrued monthly.

Note: ACHD emphasizes a highly collaborative approach that is rooted in equity and co-learning. Supervisors are to lead with equity and humility, recognizing that each staff member brings a highly valuable and essential background and perspective. Accordingly, supervisors are also accountable to staff members, working to ensure they (supervisors) meet the needs of staff and provide a healthy and safe environment where feedback and learning is two-way. In other words, supervisors should work to build a positive environment where staff and supervisors learn together, and mistakes are considered a healthy part of personal and professional growth.

African Community Housing and Development does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.