Family Support Specialist

MAJOR FUNCTIONS:

Provides trauma-informed care, serves as key support for food pantry clients (both English and Spanish speaking) experiencing housing instability, such as eviction notices, rental arrears, utility shut offs, and security deposits. Coordinates and facilitates the intake process, assigns guests to Advocates and tracks progress.

Additionally, provides advocacy for CFA guests with registration for food, helps maintain the pantry/market and supervises volunteers.

ADVOCACY FUNCTIONS:

• Determines client eligibility for CFA’s homelessness prevention program based on predetermined guidelines. Provides an overview of our services, collects paperwork, keeps guests on a timeline to ensure case is resolved in a timely manner, update guests, and finalizes process with Homelessness Prevention Program & Contract Manager.
• Cultivates and maintains relationships with personnel at other social service agencies to help provide referrals and to bundle services with CFA.
• Works cooperatively with other social service agencies to secure services for clients, if need exceeds CFA allowable amounts.
• Excellent communication, advocacy and crisis intervention skills.
• Ability to build trust with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple cases.
• Stays up to date with various regulations regarding multiple forms of assistance and availability of funds from other organizations.
• Represents the agency, as needed, at meetings, community events and through a network of social service providers to increase awareness of available assistance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Retrieves prevention messages.
• Distributes/assigns calls to prevention staff.
• Maintains a current call log with status of all guests.
• Documents guest interactions and maintains accurate case records in accordance with confidentiality policies.
• Helps to oversee the process for site reporting and disseminates weekly reports to the Deputy Director.
• Assists with guest food registration and daily distribution.
• Provides daily instruction to volunteers.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists with special events as needed.
• Assumes all other duties and responsibilities as assigned by Deputy Director.
• Must be available to attend at least two CFA events per year which must include the Run/Walk event.
• May be assigned to travel to other sites to either provide coverage or partner with Advocates and Site Mangers.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or equivalent experience
• Bi-lingual (English and Spanish)
• 2+ Years in case management or social services sector
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office

COMPETENCIES

• Guest Service - Manages difficult or emotional guest situations; Responds promptly to guest needs; Solicits feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for assistance; Meets commitments.
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports and respects diversity.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• People Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The incumbent performs job duties in a normal business office environment. Office tasks are generally carried out with no specific or unusual physical or environmental demands. While performing the office duties of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to sit at a desk and work with a computer for extended periods of time. Specific physical abilities required by this job include operating basic office equipment such as personal computers; copy machines, and standard office telephones.

May involve emotionally demanding situations and interactions with guests in crisis.

Requires sensitivity to issues of poverty, trauma and social injustice.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

(Please note that CFA covers 90% of all health coverage)

Medical – provider is United Healthcare Oxford - (optional)

Dental - (optional)

Vision (VSP) - (optional)

Life insurance (during open enrollment in June)

IRA - with a 3% match on your annual 3% contribution to the fund – (optional)

Paid PTO

Paid holidays – 15 paid holidays, plus one floating holiday each year

Education Assistance

Bi-lingual (English & Spanish)