Family Development Specialist

Full-Time, Union, Non-Exempt Position

$19.08 per hour, 40 hours per week

BASIC FUNCTION OF FAMILY DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST:  

Provide customer driven family development services which focus on the identification of long-term family goals and objectives. Implement a process which assists families in assessing their needs and strengths, coordinates program services for which they may be eligible, and supports the empowerment of families to be their own advocates with educational institutions, social service agencies and the business community. 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF FAMILY DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST:

•  Work in partnership with families in the identification of short- and long-term goals.
• Implement a system to track progress towards the achievement of established family goals.
• Coordinate the enrollment of families into social service programming in support of family goals. This may include application assistance/review and/or authorization of direct benefit payments.
• Encourage families to develop their own strengths including identification and practicing of needed skills.
• Develop and deliver workshops and training sessions designed to help families develop and strengthen needed skills.
• Build community partnerships which support the needs of families.
• Represent agency at related community forums.
• Conduct home visits and case conferences with families to assess entire family situation.
• Advocate for and with a family with other agencies, schools, and businesses that have interactions with the family.
• Implement file recordkeeping system and customer confidentiality procedures.
• Enter and analyze data for reports that are filed with funding sources and other agencies as required on a monthly and quarterly basis.
• Other related duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS OF FAMILY DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST: 

Education: 

Bachelors Degree in Social Work or Human Services or related field or similar combination of education and directly related work experience.

Experience:

2-3 years' experience in direct service and/or in experience in delivering financial education services or some type of curriculum training preferred. Bilingual preferred.

Job Skills:

• Group facilitation/Presentation skills
• Knowledge of Community Resources
• Problem Solving/Conflict Resolution
• Excellent oral and written skills
• Computer skills (Word, Outlook, and Excel) 
• Ability to employ social learning techniques

Licenses/Certifications:

Must have valid Connecticut Driver's License   

EOE AA M/F/Vets/Disability

Benefits Include:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) with matching contributions
• Vacation Time
• Personal Time
• Sick Time
• Holiday Pay

New Opportunities' mission is to improve the quality of life for economically disadvantaged individuals by providing the necessary resources to increase their standard of living, foster self-improvement, and maximize self-empowerment.

New Opportunities Inc. is the community action agency that serves Waterbury, Meriden, Torrington and 27 surrounding Connecticut towns. We offer a variety of social service programs designed to eliminate poverty and assist people in need.

Headquartered in Waterbury and the cities fourth largest employer, New Opportunities has additional offices in Meriden, Torrington, Danbury and Thomaston for the convenience of those they serve. Annually, more than 61,000 individuals benefit from programs offered at this agency, guided by the New Opportunities staff who helped them find the way to meet their needs.

In accordance with the mission of New Opportunities, the Agency aims to increase the self-sufficiency of its customers and support their move out of poverty toward a more middle-class lifestyle.

In 1964, the Agency incorporated as a private non-profit corporation in the State of Connecticut and is a tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) organization. With an annual budget for 2014 in excess of $41 million dollars, New Opportunities administers more than 50 social service programs targeted to the low-income, elderly and disabled communities.

While the range of programs is broad, they fall into one or more of the following categories:

• Energy Assistance and Weatherization
• AIDS / HIV Prevention
• Fatherhood Initiative
• Employment Education and Training
• Child Welfare and Family Development Services
• Early Childhood Education Programs
• Elderly Services
• Homeless Shelter and Transitional Housing
• Ex-Offender Programs and Re-entry Services