Family Support Specialist - Juvenile Department at Marion County – Salem, Oregon

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
The Family Support Specialist provides direct and collateral services to younger at-risk youth and their families who are being served by the Marion County Family Support Program or the department. These services are directed at reducing risk factors and increasing protective factors or developmental assets to reduce the likelihood of the youth entering the juvenile justice system or increasing involvement. The Family Support

Specialist develops a case plan and coordinates interagency and intra-agency services which:
(1) support the education needs of clients.
(2) improve family functioning.
(3) increase parenting skills.
(4) facilitate skill development of youth in decision making, problem solving, critical thinking, self-management, stress management, and self-advocacy.
(5) increase family communication and building/maintaining positive relationships.
(6) develop youth leisure skills, activities and connectivity.
(7) address tobacco, alcohol and other drug use.
(8) and reduces involvement in criminal behavior.

Position involves regular contact with youth and their families in their homes and the community.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the general supervision of a program supervisor or other designated supervisor, who sets goals, assigns duties and reviews performance by observation and through reports and conferences.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Supervision of other employees is not a responsibility of positions in this classification. However, incumbents may function as lead workers for interns, practicum students or volunteers working at the juvenile department.

• Provides direct and collateral services to at-risk children and youth and their families.
• Direct services include case management, individual and family interviews, identifying and targeting both risk and protective factors, and providing regular ongoing contact and support with the clients in their home and the community.
• Drives to see clients in their homes and the community.
  
• Coordinates community, interagency and intra-agency services to increase positive functioning of the youth and family, including life and social skills.
• Collaboratively plans, implements, and supports services which are designed to improve individual and family functioning.
• May directly teach skills in assertive communication, building/maintaining positive relationships with family, peers, and community, decision-making, goal setting and attainment, self-management, self-advocacy, and alcohol/tobacco/drug refusal skills.
• Coordinates community, interagency, and intra-agency services which support the educational needs of clients.
• Collaboratively plans various academic and behavioral interventions in public schools, treatment facilities, and corrections settings in support of clients' goals.
• Monitors client academic and behavioral progress.
• May be appointed by the Juvenile Court Judge to serve as Educational Surrogate, advocating for the special educational needs of individual clients.
• Coordinates interagency and intra-agency services designed to improve parenting skills of children's parents/caregivers.
• May teach parenting skills and will encourage parents in applying their knowledge.
• Evaluates family dynamics and functioning.
• Coordinates services designed to improve family functioning and collaboratively plans, implements, and supports these services.
• Provides effective case management services, including contact with clients in their homes and the community.
• Maintains accurate and current case records at all times.
• Follows program protocol and procedures, participating in data collection, as required by the supervisor.
• Participates regularly in team meetings with clients and relevant resources/persons and support the team approach to service delivery.
• Establishes and maintains positive, effective, and professional working relationships with coworkers, customers, and staff from other agencies.
• Uses modern office equipment skillfully - telephone, computer, copy machine, fax.
• Participates actively with employee team and work groups; attends team meetings.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle; possesses and maintains a current Oregon driver's license, as well as an acceptable driving record.
• Maintains First Aid and CPR certificate.
• Attends staff meetings, as directed.
• Other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

1. Bachelor's degree in human services, corrections, education, counseling or a related field; AND
2. Two years of experience working with youth, preferably in juvenile corrections, mental health or education; OR
3. Any satisfactory combination of work, education, training, or experience relevant to the position, as determined by Marion County.

PREFERENCES
Preference will be awarded to candidates who already possess a CADC 1 certification or higher through MHACBO.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess a current driver's license in the applicant's state of residence and an acceptable driving history. Marion County will obtain a copy of the driving record for all qualified applicants from Driver and Motor Vehicle Services and review the driving record according to the Marion County policy and procedure for Driving on County Business. The policy can be found at: http://apps.co.marion.or.us/APAP/.
• The finalist for this position will be required to pass a criminal history background check, including finger printing; however, conviction of a crime may not necessarily disqualify an individual for this position.
• This is a safety sensitive/special needs position. Final candidates selected for this position will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screen, including testing for marijuana. The Marion County Drug and Alcohol Use and Testing Policy can be found at: http://apps.co.marion.or.us/APAP/policy.aspx?p=policy&pid=518.
• Must possess, or obtain within six (6) months of hire, a current MHACBO (Mental Health & Addiction Certification Board of Oregon) CADC R (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Registrant) or higher. The CADC I certification requires education, supervised experience hours and successful completion of a written examination. See MHACBO website for requirements..
• This is a full-time position, which is eligible for overtime.
• This position is represented by a union.
• Typical work schedule: Monday - Friday, hours vary.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of human development and developmental milestones; family functioning and dynamics; casework methods and techniques; evidenced based programs and principles, behavioral intervention techniques; parenting skills; psychological, social and educational issues relevant to youth; department and community resources; strength-based case planning and service delivery.

Skill in case assessment, management and intervention; collaborative development of client goals and steps to achieve goals; identification and support of individual and family strengths; consistent application of positive reinforcement; encouraging and motivating individuals; relating to a wide diversity of people with varying ages and backgrounds; communicating assertively.

Ability to coordinate an array of services and family participation in a team approach; function as a role model; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; relate well to all kinds of people, with sensitivity to social, family and cultural differences; manage conflict effectively; acquire/apply knowledge of educational needs, special education laws and educational assessment procedures as they apply to youth; advocate on behalf of clients and empower parents/caregivers; positively represent the family support program and juvenile department when interacting with the public, schools and other agencies; manage time and caseload efficiently and effectively with minimal supervision; maintain accurate and up-to-date case records and reports; operate a motor vehicle safely and transport youth within the scope of Oregon law and department protocol.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Operates a motor vehicle; sees using depth perception; stands; sits; moves about the work area; stoops; bends forward; lifts up to 15 lbs.; pushes or pulls 5 lbs.; carries up to 5 lbs.; operates a keyboard; rapid-mental/hand/eye coordination; speaks clearly and audibly; reads a 12 pt. font; distinguish colors; hears a normal level of speech; may work in areas with dust, heat, cold, humidity, and smoke; possible risk of exposure to OSHA Blood/Body Fluid; occasional exposure to unsanitary conditions during home visits with clients, which may necessitate the use of universal precautions.