Family Support Worker

Family Support Worker

Under direct supervision of the Family Services Supervisor, provides direct, hands-on services and interventions to families in need. Service areas include: family interaction (focused on child development, child guidance, and family rules/consequences), money management, employment, time management, problem solving, housing, household management, daily living skills, community resources, and transportation. The Family Support Worker is a member of a team focused on supporting children and families in the community, and maintaining children within their own home. Performs related duties as required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Assesses individual and family strengths and needs. Partner with families to establish a service plan that will meet identified needs. Work in conjunction with the assessment and service planning of the assigned worker. Acts to resolve unsafe family conditions and assists in achieving immediate goals of the family with an understanding of and sensitivity to past traumatic experiences.

Teaches and acts as a role model for child guidance skills and knowledge, household and money management, meal planning and preparation, problem solving skills, accessing community resources, employment, housing and self-esteem building.

Provides supervised family interaction, including transportation of both children and parents (as deemed essential/approved).

Ensures safety through an understanding and adherence to any safety plan developed by the assigned worker.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

It is unlikely an employee will perform all the duties listed on a regular basis, nor is the list exhaustive in the sense it covers all the duties an employee may be required to perform. The examples are merely indicative, not restrictive.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

High school graduation or GED plus at least two years of documented credit in an institution of higher education with a focus on one (or more combined) of the following areas: Early Childhood, Home Economics, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Human Services or Finance; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language Skills

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Ability to teach and demonstrate. Ability to read, analyze, understand interpret, and implement documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, complex instructional materials, and governmental regulations. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to employees of the County, or the general public. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from clients, including ability to communicate with clients with speech impairments, severe cognitive disabilities, or emotional illnesses. Ability to negotiate on behalf of clients and to communicate information to mental health and health care professionals.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and ability to analyze facts and make mathematical computations.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Ability to gather and organize information and documents and verify accuracy.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of word processing, database and spreadsheet software. Knowledge of case processing computer systems is required. Basic computer skills. Ability to utilize computer programs to document case activities and use for education and training with clients.

Other Skills and Abilities

Possesses good knowledge of household management, child development, parenting skills, money management, problem solving, and understanding of human behavior. Working knowledge and understanding of Trauma Informed Care, and commitment to provide trauma informed services. Ability to thoroughly assess family strengths and needs with sensitivity to past traumatic experiences; and incorporate these into appropriate goals developed in partnership with families. Knowledge of available appropriate community resources. Ability to engage families establishing a good working relationship building on positive attributes. Ability to organize, assess and prioritize client and job responsibilities. Ability to accept and utilize supervision and directives while working within an agency team structure. Must have patience and ability to give step by step instructions to accomplish simple tasks. Ability to provide confidential services to families and establish a professional and friendly rapport with families. Ability to effectively address and resolve conflict and to manage stress in a professional manner. Ability to work flexible hours outside of normal agency hours. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, co-workers, other agencies and the public.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and taste or smell. Ability to access second floors in private homes. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The need to work with clients in their home or community sometimes presents dangerous, hostile and volatile situations. These situations may present health and or safety hazards. Requires occasional duties outside of the regular work schedule including evening and weekend work. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.