Family Services Specialist

Job Description Title: Family Services Specialist LEVEL: M Application Deadline: 2026-08-21 Job Type: County Department: Human Services Date Revised: 05/2026 Function: To provide supportive services to social workers and the families to whom services are provided by coordinating and supervising family visitation and parenting education. This position works within the Child and Family Unit to coordinate and provide services for families involved in the child welfare system. Major Responsibilities Supervise visitation between parents and children to ensure safety of the child and assist the family in working towards reunification or maintaining placement within their home. Transport clients for visits, appointments, and meetings on a regular basis, using your own personal vehicle. You will be reimbursed for mileage. Provide family/parent education and training in household management, childcare, nutrition, health, discipline and parenting in accordance with approved plans of service. Work closely with social workers regarding progress, problems, need for review or the completion of assignments. Maintain high-quality communication with all teammates and provide required documentation and reports including case record information as may be required. Maintain an inventory of educational materials for assigned families. Provide supervision during visitations between foster children and their natural parents as directed by the professional staff and provide any transportation that may be required for those visitations. Maintain adequate and timely documentation relative to supervised visits and observations of family attachment, nurturing, caregiving, disciplinary approaches and other monitored components of supervised visits. Provide support to foster parents through direct educational services and supportive visits. Be available to transport foster children to appointments and provide recreational group activities to foster children as requested. Assist in coordinating community events, such as Blue-Ribbon Kids Day and Back to School Bash. Collect and distribute emergency food and clothing to families referred by agency staff. Participate in agency, unit and team meetings as may be required. Participate in community meetings as required. Maintain regular and predictable attendance. Promote, get along, and work in a harmonious relationship with others including but not limited to outside agencies and county departments. Be able to perform duties and follow policies and procedures independent of direct supervision. Obtain certification in Comprehensive Community Services rehabilitation services to provide Medicaid approved and billable services where applicable. Perform other duties that may be assigned by Supervisor, Deputy Director or Director. WORKING ELEMENTS Education, Training and Experience A high school diploma or its equivalent is required. Additional course work or training in family systems information, human development and financial management is preferred. A bachelor’s degree in a relevant service area is highly preferred. 3-5 years post diploma work experience, specifically in child and family services, is preferred. Knowledge, Ability and Skills Child development and family systems knowledge is preferred. The ability to manage time and multiple tasks, to motivate people, to use good judgement to work as a team member and to work independently is necessary. This position requires knowledge of and compliance with applicable laws and regulations of the client population served. This includes billing procedures for services and familiarity with child and family services laws. Responsibility and Authority There are no staff supervisory responsibilities associated with this position. There is responsibility for the responsible use and maintenance of agency equipment. There is responsibility in accounting for any payee accounts managed. A current driving license and auto liability insurance is required. Working Conditions Conditions are various as much of the work is performed outside the office in client homes and other community locations. Substandard housing and substandard conditions may be encountered. There is a good deal of travel and transporting of clients in your personal vehicle (reimbursement for mileage) associated with this position. On occasion resistive or disagreeable persons may be encountered. A flexible work schedule is required to respond to odd hours or after hour assignments. Work demands vary and typically include multiple evenings and/or occasional weekend hours. #J-18808-Ljbffr WCA: Wisconsin Counties Association