Family Unification Specialist

Position Summary

At Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Family Unification Specialists support a trauma-informed environment by providing services to families in crisis, including those involved with Child and Family Services, during divorces, or with parenting plans. They provide services both in and out of the client's home, focusing on supporting reunification efforts where possible.

Daily And Monthly Responsibilities

• Provide identified Child Welfare Prevention and Support Services to families as assigned by the immediate supervisor.
• Support families through ongoing coaching, training, and monitoring for safety while providing educational, emotional, and community support systems, risk assessment, and confidentiality to maintain a healthy relationship conducive to client growth through the reunification process (including supervised visitation).
• Complete training as assigned by immediate supervisor to enhance services offered through the CWPSS program, such as Visit Coaching.
• Complete, update, and maintain all necessary documentation within the guidelines set by COA, Montana ARM’s, Contracts, and YBGR Policy and Procedures.
• Be a professional representative of YBGR to all DPHHS partners, and judicial court representatives.
• Contribute to the strategic goals and outcomes of the agency as measured by the development and achievement of individual, departmental, and organizational goals and outcomes.
• Participate in Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) goals of the organization both individually and as a team member.
• Deal constructively and helpfully with all other members of the organization.
• Fully support and model the mission and values of YBGR.
• Adhere to all policies, systems, safety requirements, and procedures of the organization.
• Take the initiative to identify problems and seek out solutions.
• Be a professional representative of the organization to those outside it.
• Participate and engage in monthly supervision/coaching meetings with the supervisor.
• Be aware of the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the persons served.
• Participate in required training as appropriate to the position and beneficial to YBGR.
• Participate in emergency on-call rotation as assigned by supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university in a human services or mental health related field of study. A combination of previous professional experience and formal education from an accredited university may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Experience: A minimum of two years of experience working with youth, families, or child protective services.
• Licenses and Certifications: License to operate passenger vehicle.

Competencies or Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA’s)

• Demonstrated knowledge working with families in the following areas: divorce/separation, family break ups, parenting skills, child abuse and neglect and correlated problems, child development, low income and cultural issues, as well as an understanding of out-of-home placement issues.
• Understand the role of the family and family system, whether the family is biological, kinship, state foster care, or therapeutic foster care.
• Must be able to engage individuals suffering from mental health, chemical dependency issues, physical and/or mental disabilities.
• Personal characteristics such as being non-judgmental, compassionate, and can establish and maintain a trusting relationship with clients and outside stakeholders.
• Good computer skills and able to quickly learn and use YBGR selected software solutions.
• Good judgment and decision-making skills.
• Obtain and maintain certification in First Aid/CPR and Violence Intervention Prevention.
• Display regular, predictable, and reliable attendance at work.
• Adept at listening, problem-solving, and teamwork.
• Able to communicate effectively, verbally, and in writing.

Additional Information

Criminal / Child Abuse Clearance: Must pass criminal record and child abuse registry background check as required by the State of Montana.