Family Skills Specialist

Requisition #: req11045

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Hours: Part-time (20 hours/week)

Bethany is changing the world through family. We began our work by serving one child more than 75 years ago. Today, Bethany is an international Christian nonprofit partnering with communities in more than 30 states and in several countries around the world. We strengthen and preserve families, support displaced people fleeing danger, and find safe, loving families for children who need them. Bethany is at the forefront of creating and implementing solutions to meet the growing needs of vulnerable children and families in the U.S. and around the world.

As a Family Skills Worker, you will be primarily responsible for providing outreach- based life skills services and interventions using the strength-based approach that help to stabilize families in crisis as evidenced by CPS involvement. This individual is responsible for meeting with client families in their homes and/or communities while demonstrating cultural sensitivity, compassion, and commitment to family preservation. This position is expected to function effectively with regular supervision while following the guidelines given on procedures, along with agency, federal, and state licensing regulatory requirements.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide life skills such as conflict resolution, family planning, career planning, self-sufficiency, education, health maintenance, environmental health, role modeling, child development and goal setting for clients referred by DHS/CPS;
• Provide outreach-home-based life skill services and interventions using the strength- based approach that helps to stabilize families in crisis as evidenced by CPS involvement;
• Teach life skills whose goals may include addressing home safety and environmental health, education on child management and development, assisting in meeting physical and mental health needs, budgeting, self-sufficiency, communication and relationship skills, and assisting clients in identifying, accessing, and utilizing community resources;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BSW or BA/BS in a human service-related field of study from an accredited college;
• Two years prior experience in child welfare and/or life skills;
• Prior field experience in working with multi-problem families in a home setting;
• Demonstration of strong engagement skills and a thorough understanding of the strength-based approach and interventions;
• Eligible to obtain professional licensure or registration in the State of Michigan
• Able to maintain flexible working hours;
• Demonstrate excellent assessment and crisis intervention skills;
• Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills;
• Computer and typing skills sufficient to perform essential job functions;
• Active motor vehicle license and maintain a reliable vehicle with adequate insurance coverage;
• Pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries;
• Subscription to and integration of the agency Statement of Faith, Mission Statement, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commitment.

We value and embrace the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion; our culture is strengthened and our workplace is more dynamic. We are a global organization with multicultural staff, clients and stakeholders, so we strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. More work remains, but we are deeply committed to honestly acknowledging and addressing the impacts of race and racism throughout the organization. This work can be uncomfortable and even painful, but we believe that the greatest challenges bear the greatest rewards.