Specialist I

Established in 1899, Child & Family Service (CFS) is a community-based organization with a mission of strengthening families and fostering the healthy development children.  CFS has been a fierce advocate for children and families in the midst of social injustices and inequalities. Our statewide support, counseling, and therapeutic programs help individuals and families heal from trauma, prevent abuse and neglect, and can break the cycle of generational poverty.

OUR MISSION

Strengthening families and fostering the healthy development of children.

OUR VISION

Healthy, thriving individuals and families building strong, multi-cultural communities across generations.

OUR VALUES

HOPE values: Humility, Ownership, Perseverance, Engagement

We offer an extensive array of benefits for our employee including paid time off, preventative health care paid time off, birthday floating holiday, volunteer floating holiday, 15 Paid Holidays in a Year (16 in an Election Year), Medical/Dental/Vision/RX plans, Opt-out incentive, 401(k), flexible spending plans, & more.

Come join Child & Family Service and help us serve thousands in our communities

SUMMARY OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of the Program Supervisor and / or Program Director, the Specialist I works to provide project-based cultural learning opportunities designed to engage youth through connections with universal Hawaiian values such as aloha, helping them to develop the social, emotional, cognitive, behavioral and moral competencies necessary to be successful in school and on into adulthood.

The Specialist I is responsible for screening, intake, and assessments, orients youth and their families to the program, facilitates groups, develops youth and family driven service plans based on strengths-based, trauma-informed, and culturally appropriate services based on program curriculum, philosophy, and agency and funder requirements. Appropriately and selectively utilizes a broad variety of skills and techniques to engage youth and families in services.

Performs outreach to and engages in partnership with youth, families, designated schools, partner agencies, and others as needed to engage youth in services. Specialist I works in completing assessments, service plans, and service plan follow ups as needed. Works with youth, families, referring agencies, designated schools, and other community members as needed for service treatment plan development, review, and follow ups.

Provides crisis de-escalation as required. Conducts aftercare and discharge planning, as well as follow-ups with youth and families after discharge to see if additional supports are needed. Conducts participant exit interviews following program completion. Represents the program in community organizations and events.

Provides transportation for families on occasion using personal or agency vehicles as needed.

Actively participates in project-based cultural learning community workdays (i.e. lo'i kalo, loko i'a, and nahele workdays, or other community locations) as part of the program curriculum to support the engagement and participation of youth and families.

Performs required administrative tasks related to caseload, such as progress notes, correspondence, reports, and maintaining of case records in a timely manner. Performs administrative tasks related to agency-wide data, such as daily and monthly activity reports, in a timely fashion. Maintains participant confidentiality at all times. Attends all staff trainings and meetings as assigned.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

This position requires flexible evening and weekend availability to facilitate program services.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

• Associate's Degree in social work, marriage/family therapy, education, counseling, psychology, behavioral science, human development, family resources, related human service field, or equivalent related experience Preferred.
• High school plus additional training equal to 2 years of college, which requires knowledge of a specialized field or may lead to licensing (human services, sociology, psychology), or formalized apprenticeship program. For example, certified substance abuse counselor, bookkeeper, etc.
• Required basic knowledge or training in a specialized or technical field or trade, such as social work, human services.

EXPERIENCE

• Over two years, up to and including four years of experience in working with at-risk youth.
• Over two years experience in group counseling (facilitation/co-facilitation) skills; experience in areas of juvenile justice and/or working with at-risk youth populations; experience working with culturally-appropriate and diverse interventions.

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

Required Knowledge and Experience:

• Awareness of culture gender bias/issues.
• Able to de-escalate and respond to crisis situations as needed.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends and in off-site locations as needed, including but not limited to home visits and other community locations such as lo'i kalo, loko i'a, etc.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with people of diverse social, economic, ethnic/racial, and cultural backgrounds; ability to establish effective working relationships with at-risk youth and families.
• Demonstrated commitment to family centered, strengths based, community-based services.
• Good verbal and written communication skills in therapeutic assessment, interviewing, intervention, and recording.
• Flexible work schedule to promote accessibility to services.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience working with at-risk youth; experience with youth at-risk of exposure to the juvenile justice system preferred.
• Experience working in community workday events (lo'i kalo workdays, beach clean ups, loko i'a work days, etc. preferred.

Preferred Knowledge:

• Knowledge of Case Management Practices
• Familiar with community resources
• Familiar with culturally relevant resources and community programs, particularly Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Island cultures such as lo'i kalo, loko i'a, etc.
• Knowledge of and experience in working with Native Hawaiian values such as aloha, 'akahai, lokahi, 'olu'olu, ha'aha'a, ahonui, etc. preferred.

OTHER POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• This job requires a valid Hawaii driver's license and a clear driver's abstract and continued employment may be contingent on maintaining a clear driver's abstract.
• This job requires a valid Hawaii driver's license, a clear driver's abstract, and willingness to travel in personal vehicle on an as-needed basis throughout the island.
• This job requires a valid Hawaii driver's license, a clear driver's abstract, and use of personal and agency vehicle to transport participants, as needed, as well as a willingness to travel in personal vehicle on an as-needed basis throughout the island.
• This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and continued employment is contingent on a record clear of convictions.
• Continued employment in this position is contingent on successful completion of CPR, CPI and/or van driving training as such training is necessary to ensure ability/continued ability to perform essential functions of this job.
• Continued employment in this position is contingent on successful completion of CPI classes OR other Behavioral Management certification as may be contract-mandated.
• Continued employment in this position is contingent on successful completion of First Aid classes.
• Requires contacts both inside and outside the organization in order to furnish or obtain information and/or provide participant services. Normal courtesy, tact and discretion required.

At Child & Family Service, we value and celebrate diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, disability status, genetics, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We apply this to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, promotion, transfer, leave of absence, and termination.