The Family Support Specialist supervises parent-child visits, promotes safe and positive family interactions, provides parenting coaching and resource referrals, and maintains accurate, confidential documentation.
About Brightside Child & Family Advocacy
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 has the opportunity to thrive in a safe, 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.
Family Support Specialist Job Summary
The Family Support Specialist (FSS) supervises and provides 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 and 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.
Applicants must be available for scheduling during the following windows. This is the availability we require, not hours you will work each week — your assigned schedule will fall within these windows:
● Monday and Tuesday, 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM
● One weekend day, Saturday or Sunday (Saturday preferred). Saturday from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM; Sunday afternoons and evenings.
Your supervisor assigns your schedule based on program and family needs, and sets it in advance. Schedules may be adjusted with reasonable notice. Occasional daytime hours may be required for training, team meetings, and supervision.
What You Will Do
Supervise and Monitor Visits
● Observe and assess the family's needs during a supervised visitation.
● Ensure the safety and well-being of the child(ren), including intervening the visit when necessary.
● Remain neutral and professional with all parties, including in situations involving conflict between parents or caregivers.
Coach and Support Parents & Caregivers
● 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 through parent coaching and modeling.
Advocate and Connect Families to Resources
● Know or learn the local resource landscape: housing assistance, SNAP, TANF, WIC, Medicaid, childcare vouchers, utility assistance, food pantries, workforce programs, behavioral health, and early intervention.
● Make warm referrals to support their work on their case plans and follow up.
● Help parents and caregivers build skills to advocate for themselves and their children.
Document Your Work
● Record objective, factual observations of what is said and done during the visit accurately and on time, without personal interpretations, opinions, or recommendations.
● Maintain accurate files, service plans, assessments, and outcome data in our system.
● Meet all program, funder, and reporting requirements on time.
● Keep family information strictly confidential and handle records in line with our privacy policies.
Be Part of the Team
● Actively participate in weekly/monthly and ongoing staff meetings.
● Ensure the visitation facility is clean after every visit, inside and/or outside.
● Attend training as needed and remain current on child welfare issues, laws, and policy.
● Maintain good working relationships with DFCS and other stakeholders.
● Perform other related duties as needed/requested.
Qualifications
● Passion for the mission of Brightside Advocacy and commitment to family reunification.
● Bachelor’s degree or 2 years of experience in one or more of the following: social work, human services, family support, child development, early childhood education, family advocacy, parent education, counseling, or a closely related field.
● Strong written documentation skills. Complete a brief documentation exercise during interview.
● Ability to remain neutral, set clear boundaries, and de-escalate conflict between adults, while keeping children safe.
● Strong computer skills and ease with technology, including proficiency in client management systems and Google Workspace or Microsoft Office software.
● Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and comfort driving a company vehicle.
● Ability to pass a criminal background check and any child abuse registry checks.
● Able to work within the range of schedule listed above.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 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 height, below the waist, or lifting up to 25 pounds for office equipment, supplies, and materials.
Benefits: This is a part-time position that includes pro-rated vision and dental benefits as well as generous paid time off and family leave. Hourly rate: $20 - $24, contingent upon education and/or experience.
To Apply: Email a cover letter and resume to [email protected] with “Part-Time Family Support Specialist” as the subject. No phone calls, please.
Brightside Child & Family Advocacy is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, bilingual and bicultural individuals, and 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.
Pay: $20.00 - $24.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
