Work and Family Life Specialist

This position is assigned to the Work and Family Life Branch (N911), Family Readiness Division (N91), Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) region. The incumbent serves as an Installation Work and Family Life (WFL) Specialist, providing education, training, and consultation designed to improve individual and family functioning, build life skills, and foster resiliency.

About the Role

The position plans, coordinates, implements, and evaluates education and outreach for WFL Programs, which are a key component of Fleet and Family Support Programs.

Responsibilities

• Provides individual and group WFL education, training, information, and referrals to the military community.
• 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:
  • Transition Assistance: Facilitates and conducts program components for separating service members and their families, coordinating with inter-agency partners (e.g., DoD, 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.
• Plans, manages, and evaluates WFL programs in accordance with FFSP certification standards.
• Maintains administrative records, manages data, and ensures compliance with all DoD, 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 DoD resources.

Requirements

• Must pass all applicable records and background checks.
• Must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of employment.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen to obtain and maintain a Secret Security clearance.
• Must obtain an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) certification within 2 years of assignment and maintain AFC continuing education requirements for the duration of employment.
• Participation in Direct Deposit/Electronic Fund Transfer within the first 30 days of employment is required.
• For positions requiring travel more than twice per year, selectee may be required to obtain and maintain in good standing a Government-issued Travel Card for official government travel purposes.
• Must remain drug-free throughout employment as per Executive Order 12564. The use of illegal drugs will result in penalties up to and including removal from Federal Service.

Qualifications

Resumes must include information demonstrating experience and knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) as they relate to this position. A qualified candidate possesses one of the following:

• A Ph.D. or equivalent graduate degree; or three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a degree appropriate to the position.
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible specialized experience in planning, managing, coordinating, and/or implementing outreach for Personal and Family Life Readiness or Quality of Life Programs, such as Life Skills Education, Deployment Support, Personal Financial Management, Relocation Assistance, Transition Assistance, Employment Assistance, Family Emergency Response, Ombudsman Program, and Exceptional Family Member Program.
• A combination of education and progressively responsible specialized experience that provided knowledge equivalent to a subject-matter field appropriate to the position.