Functional Family Specialist – Strengthen Families. Inspire Change. Make an Impact!

Help Families Overcome Challenges. Build Stronger Connections. Change Lives!

Are you passionate about helping families navigate challenges, strengthen relationships, and create lasting positive change? Do you enjoy working directly with youth and families while having the flexibility to make a meaningful impact outside of a traditional office setting?

At Four Oaks, we're looking for a compassionate, motivated, and dedicated Functional Family Specialist to join our team serving families throughout Iowa's 2nd Judicial District!

This is more than just a job. It's an opportunity to work directly with families, help adolescents overcome challenges, and provide the guidance and support needed to build healthier relationships and brighter futures.

If you're passionate about helping others and believe strong families build strong communities, we want to hear from you!

What You'll Do – Help Families Build Brighter Futures!

As a Functional Family Specialist, you'll use the Functional Family Therapy (FFT) model to help families with adolescents ages 10–18 improve communication, strengthen relationships, and work toward positive, lasting change.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Make Meaningful Connections: Provide at least one hour of home-based family therapy each week, working directly with families in their own environments.

• Strengthen Family Relationships: Use the Functional Family Therapy model to help families address challenges, improve communication, and develop healthier interactions.

• Create Positive Change: Assess family dynamics, identify areas of need, and develop interventions based on individualized treatment plans.

• Celebrate Progress: Monitor treatment goals, evaluate outcomes, and adjust interventions to help families achieve success.

• Build Lasting Relationships: Manage a caseload of approximately 10–15 families, providing services over an average period of 8–26 weeks.

• Meet Families Where They Are: Maintain a flexible schedule to accommodate family availability and ensure meaningful participation.

• Connect Families with Resources: Assist with community resource planning, case coordination, and permanency planning.

• Work Together for Success: Collaborate with schools, healthcare providers, mental health professionals, referring workers, and community partners.

• Support Successful Transitions: Participate in discharge planning, case documentation, and ongoing evaluation of family progress.

Who We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who believes in the power of family, understands the importance of meeting people where they are, and is motivated to help others succeed.

You could be a great fit if you:

• Have a passion for working with adolescents and families.

• Enjoy building meaningful relationships and helping others overcome challenges.

• Have strong communication, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills.

• Can remain patient, professional, and supportive in challenging situations.

• Are organized, self-motivated, and comfortable managing multiple cases.

• Enjoy working independently while collaborating with a supportive team.

• Are flexible and willing to meet with families based on their availability.

• Are committed to helping families develop long-term skills for success.

Why Choose Four Oaks? Because Your Work Matters!

At Four Oaks, we believe every family deserves the opportunity to grow, heal, and thrive. We also believe the professionals supporting those families deserve a workplace where they feel valued, encouraged, and supported.

When you join our team, you'll experience:

• Meaningful Work: Make a direct impact on the lives of adolescents and families.

• Work-Life Balance: Flexibility to support both your professional and personal priorities.

• Professional Growth: Opportunities to develop your skills and advance your career.

• Supportive Team Culture: Work alongside professionals who believe in collaboration, respect, and helping one another succeed.

• Purpose-Driven Career: Be part of an organization committed to strengthening families and building healthier communities.

• Inclusive Environment: Join a workplace that values diversity, equal opportunity, and fair treatment for everyone.

Your Passion. Their Progress. A Stronger Future Together.

Every family faces challenges, but with the right support, meaningful change is possible. As a Functional Family Specialist, you'll have the opportunity to help families discover their strengths, rebuild connections, and create a more positive future together.

Your compassion can inspire change. Your dedication can strengthen families. Your work can make a difference that lasts.

Ready to make an impact? Apply today and join Four Oaks, where stronger families and brighter futures begin with people like YOU!

What you need:

A Bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, social work, human services, criminal justice or a related field is needed for this position.  Prior experience in family therapy or youth services preferable but, not required.