Family Development Specialist

Position Summary

Provide a variety of services to low income families including education in infant and child development, health care, nutrition and parenting skills; assist families in obtaining health, social and economic assistance based on family needs and perform a variety of tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

This is a safety sensitive position subject to random drug/alcohol testing.

Job descriptions are intended to present a general list of tasks/duties performed by employees within this job classification. Job Descriptions are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

Essential and Supplemental Functions

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Essential functions may include but are not limited to the functions listed below. Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

• Provide a variety of services to low-income families including education in infant and child development, health care, nutrition and parenting skills.
• Set goals with families for self-sufficiency in the areas of housing, employment, education and health care needs; explain the process and importance of utilizing family support services.
• Educate families in appropriate child development techniques; explain significance of certain techniques and activities; assess developmentally disabled children ages 0-5; develop appropriate activities based on functional development of all children ages 0-5.
• Explain necessary preventative health care practices to parents; help to schedule and follow up with health and dental visits for child and help parents follow up and maintain required child immunizations.
• Educate and/or model for families in developing appropriate parenting skills; identify strengths and weaknesses in existing skills; work with parents to modify skills as needed; develop and implement parenting workshops/socializations.
• Identify families involved in home crises situations including alcoholism, domestic violence, drug addiction and physical and sexual abuse; refer families to appropriate service agency; coordinate services to ensure appropriate services are being provided to the family.
• Assist families in obtaining health, social and economic assistance based on family needs; refer families to local housing agencies.
• Maintain contact with local health, social and economic service agencies to access services for families.
• Plan and brainstorm possible employment opportunities for clients; assist with resume preparation, job interview techniques and follow up; locating jobs for families.
• Prepare and attend a variety of youth and parent advisory meetings; meet with staff to assess services and discuss possible improvements.
• Prepare a variety of reports reflecting program services and activities; maintain records of actual family contact by mail, face to face and telephone contact.
• Confer with specialists in various family development fields on a weekly basis to enhance work with each family.

• Translate program services into various languages and work with a translator/interpreter as required.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Minimum Education, Experience And Additional Requirements

Education and experience directly related to the minimum requirements below may be interchangeable on a year for year basis.

Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in child development, sociology or a related field, and

Three (3) years of experience in social services or a related field.

Experience working with children and family services preferred.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License or the ability to obtain by date of hire.
Possession of a City Operator's Permit (COP) within six (6) months from date of hire.
Possession of an appropriate, valid Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate within six (6) months from date of hire.
Possession of a valid C.P.R. Certificate within six (6) months from date of hire.

Working Conditions

Environmental:
Office environment; travel from site to site; exposure to potentially hostile environments.

Physical:
Essential and supplemental functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, walking or standing for prolonged periods of time.