Family Support Worker ROLE ELIGIBLE FOR $1000 BONUS!

A.  Overview 

Family Services of the Merrimack Valley (FSMV) is seeking a compassionate, energetic, and dedicated Family Support Worker to join our Family & Community Resource Center (FCRC) team.  The FCRC provides a welcoming and supportive environment where families with children from birth through age 18 can access services and resources designed to strengthen families and promote stability and well-being. Services include parent education, youth and parent support groups, information and referrals, educational support, community and cultural activities, and connections to other community-based resources. 

The Family Support Worker will work directly with children, youth, parents, and caregivers, experiencing a range of challenges that may impact their family life and overall well-being. The position provides family support, intake and assessment, service coordination, advocacy, parent education, information and referral, and group facilitation. The Family Support Worker will help families identify their strengths, needs, and goals; connect with appropriate services and community resources.

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

• Conduct comprehensive intake and assessments for referred families using required standardized assessment tools and ensure all required information is accurately collected and documented. 
• Provide individualized support, service coordination, advocacy, and follow-up to families. 
• Help families identify goals and connect with appropriate agencies and community resources. 
• Facilitate evidence-based parenting education, parent support groups, and other FCRC activities. 
• Work with the FCRC Clinician to complete required assessments and Family Support Plans for families experiencing Child Requiring Assistance (CRA)-related concerns, as needed. 
• Provide interpretation and language support for Spanish-speaking families as needed. 
• Assist families in navigating systems of care and developing skills to increase self-sufficiency. 
• Collaborate with schools, community organizations, agency programs, and other service providers. 
• Assist with community outreach, participant recruitment, and FCRC events. 
• Represent the FCRC and Family Services at community meetings, outreach events, resource fairs, and other community activities. 
• Maintain accurate and timely participant records, case notes, assessments, referrals, service plans, and other required documentation. 
• Collect, enter, and maintain required participant and program data in agency and funder databases. 
• Track and document program activities and provide information necessary to meet agency, grant, and funder reporting requirements. 
• Maintain participant confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries at all times. 
• Participate in staff meetings, supervision, training, and professional development. 
• Perform other duties as assigned by the FCRC Director. 

Required Qualifications 

• Associate degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Family Studies, or a related field; OR a high school diploma with a minimum of four years of relevant experience. 
• Experience providing family support, case management, service coordination, advocacy, information and referral, or similar services. 
• Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish, with strong verbal and written communication, interpersonal, customer service, and relationship-building skills. 
• Energetic, enthusiastic, dependable, and able to develop positive and supportive relationships with children, youth, parents, and caregivers. 
• Strong group facilitation and public speaking skills, including the ability to engage both small and large groups. 
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize responsibilities and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment. 
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and participant confidentiality. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and comfort using electronic databases and data-entry systems. 
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team. 
• Responsible, dependable, and punctual. 
• Access to reliable transportation and the ability to travel locally and throughout Massachusetts for agency and program-related business. 
• Ability to work two evenings per week and one Saturday per month. 

 Preferred Qualifications: 

• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team. 
• Experience working with culturally and linguistically diverse youth and families. 
• Experience supporting LGBTQ+ youth and families inclusively and respectfully. 
• Knowledge of Lawrence and the Greater Lawrence community, including community resources available to youth and families. 
• Experience in case management, group facilitation, or evidence-based parenting education  

ABOUT FAMILY SERVICES OF THE MERRIMACK VALLEY  

Family Services is a non-profit, social service organization located in Lawrence, MA. The organization helps more than 7,000 people in the Merrimack Valley each year through 20+ programs focused on youth development, parent education and emotional health. All of its services are infused with a sense of hope and possibility and enable individuals to thrive in their family, community, workplace and school. For more information, please visit www.FSMV.org. FSMV is an equal opportunity employer 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS  

• This is a 40 hour per week, exempt benefited position with a pay range $21-$22.50 per hour, commensurate upon experience.  
• Eligible for $1,000 Bonus! 
• Benefits include competitive health and dental insurance as well as fully paid life and long-term disability insurance along with training and professional development opportunities. 
• A generous time off policy for employees working 30 hours or more per week including 4 paid weeks of Earned Time Off as well as 13 paid holidays per year. 
• An opportunity to work with and learn from a team of dedicated, passionate individuals in a diverse environment that serve children, youth, and adults. 

TO APPLY  

Interested candidates please apply at https://fsmv.org/get-involved/careers/ .