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, or during a divorce or parenting plan. 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)

• Knowledge: 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, as well as an understanding of out-of-home placement issues.
• Skills: Understand the role of the family and family system, engage individuals with mental health, chemical dependency issues, physical and/or mental disabilities, demonstrate non-judgmental, compassionate personal characteristics, good computer skills, ability to communicate effectively, good judgment and decision-making skills, obtain and maintain certification in First Aid/CPR and Violence Intervention Prevention, adept at listening, problem-solving, and teamwork.
• Attitudes: Display regular, predictable, and reliable attendance at work.

Criminal / Child Abuse Clearance

Must pass criminal record and child abuse registry background check as required by the State of Montana.