EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Bright House Family Support Specialist
The mission of Brightside Child & Family Advocacy is to provide services to prevent child abuse and neglect by strengthening and supporting healthy family relationships. We believe in a community where every child is given the opportunity to thrive in a safe and loving home. In all we do, all members of our team embrace and demonstrate behaviors aligned with our culture and values, including:

• We are supportive of one another.
• We communicate openly and honestly.
• We value one another.
• We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards.

Job Summary:
The Family Support Specialist (FSS) is responsible for supervising and providing a safe, secure environment for the non-custodial parent and their children at The Bright House. The FSS identifies and documents the family’s strengths and any risk factors associated with the visitation. The FSS provides families with education, coaching, and modeling of appropriate parenting. The FSS identifies ways to enhance the positive interaction between parent-child as determined during the assessment or reported by the referring agency. The FSS will report and document their findings to the Bright House Director.
Qualifications:

• Passion for the mission of Brightside Child & Family Advocacy;
• Bachelor’s Degree in child development, psychology, sociology, social work, or related field. Extensive experience may be substituted for a degree;
• Two years of experience required (volunteer or paid) in at least several areas: social services, child advocacy, volunteer supervision, training, non-profit management, volunteer CASA or guardian ad litem, child welfare, education, mental health, or parenting;
• Demonstrated commitment to family reunification;
• Strong computer skills and ease with technology, including proficiency in client management systems and Google Suite or Microsoft Office software;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; and
• Flexibility for evenings and weekends required.

Traits & Distinguishing Characteristics:

• Maintains exceptionally high standards of integrity and confidentiality.
• Takes ownership of work and demonstrates a willingness to accept responsibility for decisions and actions.
• Works collaboratively with all team members and stakeholders.
• Seeks and receives feedback graciously and with a dedication to continuous improvement.
• Fosters teamwork and assumes positive intent in collaborating with others.

FSS Responsibilities:

• Observe and assess the needs of the family during a supervised visitation.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of the child(ren) during the visitation.
• Provide families with necessary feedback and guidance to support reunification.
• Build rapport with the families and build their confidence. Treat all families with dignity and respect.
• Teach positive interventions and strategies in the method of parent coaching and modeling.
• Provides information and referrals to families to support their work on their case plans as often as possible.
• Actively participate in weekly/monthly and ongoing staff meetings that are program-related.
• Implement a diverse teaching style to accommodate the needs of the family.
• Respect the confidential nature of all information about the families we serve.
• Report services implemented for grant funding.
• Provide visitation notes for DFCS and other court-appointed professionals.
• Provide testimony at court when deemed necessary and approved by the Executive Director.
• Ensure the visitation facility is clean after every visit, inside and outside. Ensure the facility is compliant with the CDC guidelines.
• Attend training as needed and remain current on child welfare issues, laws, and policy.
• Maintain good working relationships with local DFCS, other agencies, and individuals inherent to the visitation program.
• Perform other related duties as needed/requested.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Much of the work of this position is completed while sitting at a desk, using a computer and phone.
• Requires talking, hearing, and visual acuity sufficient to perform these primary functions.
• Occasionally includes reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist, or lifting up to 25 pounds for office equipment, supplies, and materials.

How We Operate:

• We assume positive intent.
• We take space and make space.
• We speak from our own experience.
• We are conscious of our nonverbal cues.
• We recognize and account for the difference between intent and impact.
• We are respectful of each other’s time and space.
• We ensure confidentiality.
• We share concerns with the whole group and avoid side conversations.
• We listen with an open mind.
• We actively develop conflict resolution skills.

Benefits:
Part-Time Position:Approximately 30 - 33 hours per week, including generous paid time off, dental and vision, and IRA matching contribution. Hourly rate: $19 - $22, contingent upon education and/or experience.

The job will remain posted until the position is filled.

​To apply: 
Please submit cover letter and resume to Claudia Williams at [email protected]

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Brightside Child & Family Advocacy is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Job applicants and staff shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical conditions.

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