Family Empowerment Coach

Summary:
The Family Empowerment Coach will develop mutually respectful, goal-oriented relationships with 
families served by the agency through regular one-on-one and small group meetings.  As a certified 
Cognitive Behavior Therapy Life Coach, this position will be responsible for acting as a resource 
to assigned families, using an assessment tool to determine need(s), goals, helping to recognize 
barriers to stability, and assisting with the development of strategies for meeting families’ needs 
and strengthening their support network that will lead to economic and social mobility.  This 
includes balancing a case load of families enrolled in Family Empowerment Coaching, SkillUP, or 
both.

This position promotes and provides opportunities to staff to embody the agency mission which is 
“To Engage Communities and Coordinate Resources to Improve the Lives of People Experiencing 
Poverty”. Program operation is designed around the mission, vision and values of the agency to meet 
both program and agency strategies and goals.

Essential Functions:
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the 
essential functions.
•     Develop and maintain mutually respectful relationships with families and community resource 
providers beginning at the first interaction.
•     Gather information necessary to assess family needs and determine eligibility and suitability 
for agency services, as well as other programs/services beneficial to the client/family.
•     Help families to recognize and use their strengths in working towards their goal(s).
•     Accurately complete the agency’s identified Family Assessment to help families strategize 
ways to
strengthen/expand their support to enable them to become self-reliant.
•     Make appropriate referrals within the agency and in the community that will aid the family in 
meeting their needs and/or progress towards their goal(s).
•     Completely understand all SkillUP policies and procedures.
•     Gain an understanding of Head Start Performance Standards, Community Services Block Grant 
(CSBG) Organizational Standards, and CSBG National Performance Indicators.
•     Provide oversight and guidance of the day-to-day operations of the SkillUP program, monitor 
case load, complete data entry in real time in the MoJobs system, and stay up to date on the 
requirements of the program.
•     Work closely with the Family Services Director and Fiscal Assistant to ensure compliance and 
payments are made properly to and for clients.
•     Assist families in identifying what keeps them from accomplishing their goals and work 
together to determine potential solutions for overcoming these barriers.
•     Work in partnership with family to establish SMART goals and actionable steps that lead to 
inevitable success.
•     Learn and use effective coaching techniques that engage families and allow them to be the 
driving
force of their own change.
•     Serve as a reliable resource for assisting families through times of temporary crisis.
•     Ensure adequate program and participant records are maintained, and that data entry, reports 
and paperwork are completed accurately and on time.
•     Documentation of progress and observations of the family’s development is thorough and 
timely.
•     Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other community resources, 
including human service agencies, schools, employers and individuals to assure successful 
coordination efforts.
•     Must be flexible to meet changing opportunities, and changes within families we serve.
•     Work with other agency team members to provide the best quality of services to our families.
•     Deliver employment and other life skills workshops to families and members of the community.
•     Attend meetings and professional development trainings as assigned.
•     Support and coordinate family activities and/or education opportunities.
•     Promote program and services to community members.
•     Travel regularly within the service area and out of area

Competencies:
•     Ability to embrace the vision and values of MVCAA and to implement the mission, and goals.
•     Be aware of and comply with all policies and procedures of MVCAA, upholding organizational 
values and client confidentiality.
•     Knowledge and respect for diverse cultures/lifestyles and the effects of poverty in the 
community.
•     Ability to promote a positive work environment.
•     Able to understand and follow Head Start Program Performance Standards, state licensing 
regulations, and the CSBG Organizational Standards.
•     Knowledge of all MVCAA program regulations, and ability to communicate these to other 
individuals and organizations.
•     Ability to develop a trusting relationship with families using the strengths-based approach 
to family support.
•     Knowledge of all social and health resources, including eligibility requirements, in the 
community and ability to make effective referrals to such resources.
•     Ability to conduct family support activities, i.e. coaching sessions, in a variety of 
locations, including client homes, office, training site and/or appropriate neutral sites.
•     Ability to establish and maintain a mutually respectful relationship with agency customers, 
co- workers, employers, public officials, representatives of funding sources, etc.
•     Knowledge of Missouri child abuse and neglect laws and procedures and indicators of child 
abuse & neglect.
•     Knowledge of operating office equipment such as copier, fax, scanner, multi-line phone, and 
computer.
•     Ability to work effectively as a team member.
•     Ability to communicate effectively and follow written and oral instructions.
•     Good grasp of the English language (spelling, punctuation, grammar).
•     Knowledge of Microsoft Office and ability to use agency software.
•     Ability to organize time effectively and set work priorities.
•     Ability to accurately complete paperwork and data entry by required due dates.
•     Ability to handle confrontation and stressful situations in a constructive and professional 
manner.
•     Ability to be a self-starter and work independently of direct supervision.
•     Ability to be flexible in order to meet program or agency needs.

Supervisory Responsibility:
•     None

Work Environment:
•     MVCAA Family Resource Center offices in Carroll, Chariton, Johnson, Lafayette, Pettis, Ray 
and Saline counties.
•     Family homes, contacting resources, meeting with other community service providers, as well 
as, other MVCAA team members as needed.
•     Requires the use of standard office equipment including computers, phones, photocopiers, and 
laminating machines.

Physical Demands:
•     Must be able to access families’ homes that may have steps, stairs, or require walking long
distances to reach.
•     Ability to operate a computer and keyboard, printer/copier, and other office equipment.
•     Ability to operate a motor vehicle and travel by car to meetings at a distance from work 
site.
•     Ability to do lifting and carrying of not more than 30 lbs.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:
•     Non-Exempt, full-time; 40 hours a week, 52 weeks per year.
•     Flexibility of work hours due to family’s availability for coaching sessions.
•     May require some overnight stays for out of area meetings and training.

Travel:
•     Required to travel in and out of area regularly
•     Use of company or personal vehicle (mileage reimbursed for work related travel)
•     Out of area travel expenses (air, hotel, meals, mileage will be paid or per-diem)

Required Education and Experience:
•     High School Diploma or GED
•     Minimum 1 year coaching experience (not to be confused with case management)
•     Obtain Cognitive Behavior Therapy Life Coach certification within 90 days of hire.
•     Obtain the Family Development Credential within 18 months of hire
•     Obtain Certified Community Action Professional credential within 5 years of hire

Preferred Education and Experience:
•     Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Social Services, or related field or Life Coaching 
Certification
•     Prior experience working with families using a strengths-based approach and/or coaching 
techniques.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:
•     Negative results of initial and random drug testing
•     Family Care Safety Registry and fingerprint criminal background screening with acceptable 
results
•     Valid driver’s license and access to an insured vehicle

Expectations:
•     Perform duties with a focus on safety and wellness
•     Adhere to agency policies and code of ethics

Other Duties:
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, 
duties or responsibilities that are required. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may 
change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Work Authorization:
•     Verification of identity and authorization for employment in the United States (I9 and 
E-Verify)

EEO Statement:
MVCAA provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, 
religion, sex, age, national origin, disability unrelated to ability to do a job, gender identity, 
sexual orientation, military services, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, genetic information 
or any other characteristic protected by law.