Family Unification Specialist

About the role

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, or navigating divorce or parenting plans. Specialists work both in and out of clients' homes, advocating for reunification when the home and parents are safe. This role requires a mission-driven individual with a strong work ethic and a commitment to being a positive role model for youth and families.

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, including educational, emotional, and community support systems, risk assessment, and confidentiality to facilitate client growth through the reunification process (including supervised visitation).
• Complete training as assigned by the 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.
• Serve as 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.
• Collaborate 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 initiative to identify problems and seek solutions.
• Represent the organization professionally to external stakeholders.
• Participate 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.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 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 may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• 21 years old or older.
• Minimum of two years of experience working with youth, families, or child protective services.
• Valid license to operate a passenger vehicle.
• Must pass criminal record and child abuse registry background check as required by the State of Montana.

Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge working with families in areas such as divorce/separation, family breakups, parenting skills, child abuse and neglect, child development, low-income and cultural issues, and out-of-home placement.
• Understanding of the role of the family and family system, whether biological, kinship, state foster care, or therapeutic foster care.
• Ability to engage individuals suffering from mental health, chemical dependency, physical, and/or mental disabilities.
• Non-judgmental, compassionate, and able to establish and maintain trusting relationships with clients and stakeholders.
• Proficiency in computer skills and ability to quickly learn YBGR-selected software solutions.
• Strong judgment and decision-making skills.
• Certification in First Aid/CPR and Violence Intervention Prevention (or ability to obtain and maintain).
• Regular, predictable, and reliable attendance at work.
• Adept at listening, problem-solving, and teamwork.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

Pay

Starting salary range: $19.21 - $21.62 per hour for a part-time position. Salary reflects steps 1-5 of an 11-step pay schedule and will be determined based on the applicant’s education and relevant experience.

Schedule

This is a part-time position with the potential to transition to full-time as caseload and program needs grow.