Job Purpose: Empower parents to effectively parent their child/ren, providing parent education using research and evidence-based tools; provide supervised visitation and ensure the safety of children; provide safety stops for children in the home and observe and report any safety concerns. Works closely with the Department of Child Protective Services. This position requires bilingual ability with Spanish speakers.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
- Communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking and English-speaking clients and families. This position requires professional fluency in both Spanish and English.
- Work with parents to identify their needs and interests for current and future parent education sessions.
- Collect information about clients through interviews, observations, record review, and collateral contacts.
- Complete the AAPI-2 and required family assessments.
- Develop and implement individualized service plans.
- Provide supervision and ensure the safety of children during supervised visits.
- Conduct safety stops in the child’s home and objectively observe, document, and report safety concerns.
- Provide accurate, objective, and professionally written documentation following each visit or service.
- Maintain all required client records and reports in accordance with agency, county, and state guidelines.
- Implement designated parent education curricula and interventions to support the development of effective parenting skills.
- Foster self-determination by helping parents develop the skills necessary to care for and meet their family’s needs.
- Modify interventions, activities, and service approaches in response to changes in client needs, functioning, or circumstances.
- Maintain a high standard of professional ethics and protect client and family confidentiality.
- Participate fully as a team member by developing professional relationships with colleagues and maintaining positive working relationships with county referral sources.
- Identify appropriate community resources and provide recommendations for referrals to other agencies as needed.
- Collaborate with county personnel, schools, treatment providers, and other community agencies to enhance services for families.
- Transport children or other identified clients between approved locations when required.
- Attend required training related to professional growth and maintain professional development expectations outlined in the SCCS Policy Manual.
- Maintain current knowledge of evidence-informed parent education practices, child development, family systems, and community resources.
- Understand and follow the policies and procedures of the Family Intervention Program and Stein Counseling & Consulting Services, Ltd., as outlined in departmental and agency policy manuals.
- Participate in regularly scheduled supervision, team meetings, and ongoing performance evaluations.
- Maintain awareness of behavioral and crisis-management techniques, personal safety practices, and the physical demands associated with frequent travel and driving.
- Develop annual personal and professional goals.
- Maintain acceptable performance ratings of 85% or higher in all areas of evaluation, including job performance, supervisor ratings, collateral ratings, Quality Assurance and Utilization Review, and other applicable measures.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities consistent with this position description, as requested by the Program Supervisor, Program Manager, and/or President of Stein Counseling & Consulting Services, Ltd.
CHARM DUTIES
- Travel to the client’s home and assess the immediate safety and well-being of the children in the client’s care.
- Observe and objectively report on the specific conditions, behaviors, or concerns identified by the referring social worker as the reason for the CHARM stop.
- Communicate with Spanish-speaking clients and families in Spanish when necessary to complete the CHARM stop safely and effectively.
- Complete accurate and professionally written documentation following each CHARM stop.
- Administer urinalysis or breathalyzer testing when necessary and when requested or authorized by the social worker.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Services are primarily provided in clients’ homes and community-based settings. Employees may be required to work in undesirable environments, including homes that are unclean, cluttered, or otherwise challenging.
This position also requires:
- Working with clients who may be resistant, reluctant, emotionally dysregulated, or experiencing significant family stress.
- Managing conflict and maintaining professional boundaries in challenging situations.
- Working independently without close or continuous supervision.
- Meeting strict documentation and service deadlines established by state, county, and agency expectations.
- Interacting professionally with external agencies, referral sources, community partners, and members of the public.
- Transporting identified clients and children in a personal or agency-approved vehicle.
- Lifting and carrying up to 40 pounds.
- Possessing a valid driver’s license, a driving record in good standing, reliable transportation, and sufficient automobile liability insurance as defined in the SCCS Policy Manual.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
The successful candidate must:
- Be bilingual and professionally fluent in Spanish and English, including the ability to speak, understand, read, and communicate clearly with clients, families, referral sources, and community partners.
- Possess strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Possess strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
- Be familiar with the local community and available community support agencies.
- Possess knowledge of child development, family functioning, and effective parenting techniques.
- Demonstrate a willingness to support the personal development and self-sufficiency of families.
- Be flexible and adaptable in meeting the changing needs of families and the program.
- Use effective interviewing and information-gathering techniques.
- Objectively, accurately, and professionally document information in accordance with state, county, and agency expectations.
- Consistently demonstrate sound judgment and effective problem-solving skills.
- Communicate professionally with supervisors, peers, clients, referral sources, and individuals outside the organization.
- Resolve conflicts and effectively use negotiation and de-escalation skills.
- Possess basic computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, email, internet-based programs, and electronic documentation systems.
- Work independently and effectively organize, plan, prioritize, and complete assigned responsibilities.
- Use appropriate conflict-resolution and crisis-management techniques.
- Maintain emotional control and professional behavior under stress.
- Assist and advise clients during emergency or crisis situations within the scope of the position.
- Follow all confidentiality, privacy, and information-security procedures.
- Understand and maintain healthy professional boundaries with clients and families.
- Demonstrate sensitivity to clients’ cultural backgrounds, language needs, socioeconomic circumstances, and lived experiences.
- Evaluate client participation in and response to parent education services.
- Use developmentally appropriate and evidence-informed parent education techniques.
- Identify and recommend appropriate community services and resources.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Professional fluency in both Spanish and English is required.
- Experience working in a social services, family services, human services, or educational setting is preferred.
- Experience working with parents and children from birth through age thirteen is preferred.
- Experience working with families from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds is strongly preferred.
- The ideal candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree in Child Development, Psychology, Social Work, Family Studies, Education, Human Services, or another closely related field.
- The candidate must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills and demonstrate the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
- A valid Wisconsin driver’s license, reliable transportation, adequate automobile liability insurance, and a driving record in good standing are required.
SUPERVISION
This position receives direct supervision from a Program Supervisor.
HOURS
Full-time or part-time opportunities may be available. The employee must maintain a flexible schedule based on client and program needs. Evening and weekend availability is required.
