Work and Family Life Specialist

About the role

Provides individual and group WFL education, training, information, and referrals to the military community.

Responsibilities

• Assesses customer needs related to a wide range of personal and family readiness topics, develops tailored plans, and provides a warm handover to appropriate resources in accordance with the “no-wrong door” service delivery model.
• Monitors program usage, tracks data in the approved CNIC database, and ensures quality customer service.
• Delivers a full range of WFL programs and services across multiple platforms, including in-person, virtual, and afloat settings.
• Collaborates with command leadership, prevention personnel, and other stakeholders to develop training plans based on community needs assessments and execute effective education services.
• Provides backup support across all WFL program areas as required.
• Provides direct service delivery, consultation, and group training to strengthen the well-being of Sailors and their families in the following specialty areas:

Specialty areas

• Transition Assistance: Facilitates and conducts program components for separating service members and their families, coordinating with inter-agency partners (e.g., DoW, DOL, VA) to meet legislative requirements and prepare individuals for success in civilian life.
• Career Support and Volunteer Coordination: Assists service members and families with career and educational goals by providing individual and group services in resume development, interview skills, and job search strategies. Manages the volunteer coordination program to provide job skills opportunities.
• Relocation Services: Implements and coordinates relocation services, including developing newcomer orientations, providing permanent change of station and sponsorship training, and maintaining community resource information in official relocation databases to assist with the stress of military moves.
• Deployment and Mobilization Readiness: Conducts a full range of deployment cycle support services (pre-, mid-, and post-deployment) for service members and families, including command consultation and support for Family Readiness Groups (FRGs).
• Ombudsman Support: Provides program guidance, coordinates basic and advanced training, and serves as an advisor to the local Ombudsman Assembly and commands to ensure program effectiveness.
• Emergency Response and Case Management: Provides Emergency Family Assistance (EFA) services during crises through information, referral, and emergency case management, using the designated accountability and assessment system to track needs and assistance.
• Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Support: Serves as a liaison to minimize barriers for families with special needs by providing information and referral, coordinating with medical and community entities, and ensuring a warm hand-off to an area EFMP case liaison.
• Financial Readiness: Provides comprehensive personal financial readiness education, training, and counseling on topics such as debt management, budgeting, credit, and investing. Conducts training to support leaders in recognizing and addressing financial problems.
• Life Skills Education: Delivers a wide variety of evidence-based training in a group or individual setting on topics including, but not limited to, Stress and Anger Management, Communication Skills, Parenting, Suicide Prevention, and Healthy Relationships.

Program management and compliance

• Plans, manages, and evaluates WFL programs in accordance with FFSP certification standards.
• Maintains administrative records, manages data, and ensures compliance with all DoW, Navy, and CNIC policies and directives.
• Analyzes new legislation and policies to determine the impact on program operations and makes recommendations for adjustment.
• Compiles and evaluates program data from diverse sources to develop comprehensive reports on program effectiveness, using authorized survey processes and measurement tools to identify community trends and needs.
• Consults with and briefs leadership on findings and recommendations for program improvement.
• Develops and reviews standard operating procedures (SOPs), participates in strategic planning, and identifies resources required for service delivery.
• Develops marketing strategies, prepares informational materials, and networks with stakeholders to promote WFL programs and other DoW resources.