Family Unification Specialist

Introduction

YBGR, WHERE YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

We have employees providing services to youth throughout Montana, working to change the trajectory of children's livesand havinga positive impact.

We are a family of YBGR staff providing services to youth throughout Montana, working to change the trajectory of children’s lives – to help them heal and recover!

Overview

At Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, we count on our Family Unification Specialist(s) to support a trauma-informed environment. They are primarily responsible for providing services to families in crisis, who are involved with Child and Family Services, or during a divorce or parenting plan. Family Unification Specialists will provide services to families both in and out of the client's home. A Family Unification Specialist will support the approach that in most cases, reunification is in the children's best interest when the home and parents are safe. They must be mission and values-driven and possess a strong work ethic, reliability, and desire to be a positive role model in our youth and families' lives.

Starting Salary Range: $19.21 - $21.62 per hour for part-time position. Salary reflects steps 1-5 of an 11-step pay schedule. The starting salary will be determined based on the applicant’s education and relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide identified Child Welfare Prevention and Support Services to families as assigned by the immediate supervisor.
• Support families through ongoing coaching, training, and monitoring for safety while providing educational, emotional, and community support systems, risk assessment, and confidentiality to maintain a healthy relationship conducive to client growth through the reunification process (including supervised visitation).
• Complete training as assigned by immediate supervisor to enhance services offered through the CWPSS program, such as Visit Coaching.
• Contribute to the strategic goals and outcomes of the agency as measured by the development and achievement of individual, departmental, and organizational goals and outcomes. Participate in Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) goals of the organization both individually and as a team member.
• Deal constructively and helpfully with all other members of the organization.
• Fully support and model the mission and values of YBGR.
• Adhere to all policies, systems, safety requirements, and procedures of the organization.
• Take the initiative to identify problems and seek out solutions.
• Be a professional representative of the organization to those outside it.
• Participate and engage in monthly supervision/coaching meetings with the supervisor.
• Be aware of the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the persons served.
• Participate in required training as appropriate to the position and beneficial to YBGR.
• Participate in emergency on-call rotation as assigned by supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university in a human services or mental health related field of study.
• A combination of previous professional experience and formal education from an accredited university may be considered in lieu of degree.
• 21 years old or older.
• Previous Professional Experience: A minimum of two years of experience working with youth, families, or child protective services.
• License and/or Certification: License to operate passenger vehicle.

Competencies or Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA’s):

• Demonstrated knowledge working with families in the following areas: divorce/separation, family break ups, parenting skills, child abuse and neglect and correlated problems, child development, low income and cultural issues, as well as an understanding of out-of-home placement issues.
• Understand the role of the family and family system, whether the family is biological, kinship, state foster care, or therapeutic foster care.
• Must be able to engage individuals suffering from mental health, chemical dependency issues, physical and/or mental disabilities. Shall demonstrate personal characteristics such as being non-judgmental, compassionate, and can establish and maintain a trusting relationship with clients and outside stakeholders.
• Good computer skills and able to quickly learn and use YBGR selected software solutions.
• Good judgment and decision-making skills.
• Obtain and maintain certification in First Aid/CPR and Violence Intervention Prevention.
• Display regular, predictable, and reliable attendance at work.
• Adept at listening, problem-solving, and teamwork.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally, and in writing.
• Criminal / Child Abuse Clearance: Must pass criminal record and child abuse registry background check as required by the State of Montana.