Our Mission: Lutheran Community Services Northwest partners with individuals, families and communities for health, justice and hope.
About Us Lutheran Community Services Northwest is a non-profit human services agency that improves lives of people in communities throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho. We provide a wide variety of services to adults, adolescents, children, families, schools and communities. We are privileged to touch lives of all ages, cultures and faiths.
THE ROLE: The Family Support Specialist is responsible for providing assistance and information about available resources to the individuals, families, youth, and community members who contact the Family Resource Center. The Support Specialist works with the Family Services team in Center activities and events and helps identify service gaps within the community. This position also assists, when directed, with center events, program and participant documentation and reporting, and working with the Program Director to meet overall program goals and objectives.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES: Including the following. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Direct Service:
• Utilizing a service orientation provides a welcoming greeting and helpful response to those who contact the Family Resource Center.
• Provide information, referral, and navigation services for participants who access the Family Resource Center for basic needs, services, supports, educational services and/or skill-building activities, assisting them in person and by phone.
• Help participants to utilize resources, including appointment scheduling, assisting with the completion of applications for programs for which they may be eligible, and offering referrals to other services that may help them when we cannot.
• Effectively work with people (staff, participants, agencies, etc.) from diverse backgrounds to reduce cultural and socioeconomic barriers between participants and institutions.
• Establish positive, supportive relationships with participants and provide feedback to Program Director.
• Identify and apply appropriate role definition and skilled boundaries
• Resolve participant grievances, with guidance from the Program Director as needed.
• Model and share the Family Support Principles with participants and community organizations.
• Encourage participant involvement with the Family Resource Center.
• Continuously expand knowledge and understanding of community resources and programs provided in Clallam County, and possibly other counties that will serve our participants with some services.
• Demonstrate and encourage awareness and sensitivity in the delivery of client services as it relates to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the populations served.
• Strict adherence to HIPAA guidelines and organizational policies.
Program Development and Family Resource Center Operations:
• In collaboration with the Program Director and other stakeholders, research and assess community needs; identify opportunities for programs, services and volunteerism.
• Support with center activities in collaboration with, and as directed by, Program Director
• Assist Program Director with the research, compilation and preparation of complete and accurate reports, correspondence, or other information.
• Ensure efficient and timely collection and use of data and other information for continuous quality improvement and program evaluation; this includes the input of data into databases and other appropriate tracking systems.
• Work with center management staff to promote upcoming program activities to meet community needs.
• Perform day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Analyze information and evaluate results to choose the best solution and solve participant problems
• Effectively present information and respond to questions from employees, clients, and the general public.
• Utilize cultural competence when interacting with clients, participants, and team members from various backgrounds.
Partnerships/Outreach:
• Cultivate, develop and retain positive relationships within the community
• In collaboration with Program Director, develop and implement outreach and program strategies for all center activities
• Report identified gaps in services to the Program Director
• In collaboration with Program Director, identify, contact and coordinate with organizations to collaborate for community events, programs, and services that meet community needs.
• Work with the center management and staff to facilitate family events and activities, including large community building events and outreach. This includes travel to different locations within Clallam County.
• Encourage and participate in outreach for engagement of individuals, families and community involvement in the Resource center.
• Perform outreach at events when community services are offered; provide administrative and project management support to communities in need during events
• Under the direction of the CRC management, attend community events, meetings and other outreach activities to further promotion of Family Resource Center programs.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
• High School Diploma, GED or equivalent required.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred.
• 2 years paid experience working in a related field preferred.
• Previous experience organizing programs, events and activities preferred.
QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong organizational skills (planning, prioritization, time management, etc.).
• Strong customer service skills.
• Must have a WA state driver license, auto insurance, and reliable vehicle for travelling and transporting supplies within Clallam County offices.
The Perks: We offer a full benefits package with options for medical, dental, prescription and vision coverage; employer-paid short and long-term disability, as well as life insurance. Vacation includes up to 2 weeks in the first year. Up to 2 weeks of Sick leave for you or to take care of your immediate family (based on hours worked). 12 Paid Holidays plus 2 Floating Holidays each year. A 403(b) Retirement plan, with employer matching after meeting eligibility requirements. Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is designed to help and support you. Staff potentially eligible for Student Loan Forgiveness program as a 501(c) 3 employer.
LUTHERAN COMMUNITY SERVICES NORTHWEST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND COMMITTED TO CULTURAL COMPETENCY.