Bilingual Family Support Advocate

Family Services of the Merrimack Valley; Lawrence, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 29,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus $1,000

Health & dental insurance

Paid time off (4 weeks)

Paid holidays (13)

Job summary

Family Services of the Merrimack Valley (FSMV) seeks a compassionate Family Support Worker for the Family & Community Resource Center (FCRC) in Lawrence, MA. You will work with children, youth, and families to provide intake, service coordination, advocacy, and education; and connect families to community resources.

Responsibilities include facilitating parenting education, maintaining records, collaborating with schools and partners, and supporting Spanish-speaking families.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Family Studies, or related field; OR a high school diploma with a minimum of four years of relevant experience.
• Experience providing family support, case management, service coordination, advocacy, information and referral, or similar services.
• Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish, with strong verbal and written communication, interpersonal, customer service, and relationship-building skills.
• Energetic, enthusiastic, dependable, and able to develop positive and supportive relationships with children, youth, parents, and caregivers.
• Strong group facilitation and public speaking skills, including the ability to engage both small and large groups.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize responsibilities and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and participant confidentiality.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and comfort using electronic databases and data-entry systems.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Responsible, dependable, and punctual.
• Access to reliable transportation and the ability to travel locally and throughout Massachusetts for agency and program-related business.
• Ability to work two evenings per week and one Saturday per month.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive intake and assessments for referred families using required standardized assessment tools and ensure all required information is accurately collected and documented.
• Provide individualized support, service coordination, advocacy, and follow-up to families.
• Help families identify goals and connect with appropriate agencies and community resources.
• Facilitate evidence-based parenting education, parent support groups, and other FCRC activities.
• Work with the FCRC Clinician to complete required assessments and Family Support Plans for CRA-related concerns as needed.
• Provide interpretation and language support for Spanish-speaking families as needed.
• Assist families in navigating systems of care and developing skills to increase self-sufficiency.
• Collaborate with schools, community organizations, agency programs, and other service providers.
• Assist with community outreach, participant recruitment, and FCRC events.
• Represent the FCRC and Family Services at community meetings, outreach events, resource fairs, and other community activities.
• Maintain accurate and timely participant records, case notes, assessments, referrals, service plans, and other required documentation.
• Collect, enter, and maintain required participant and program data in agency and funder databases.
• Track and document program activities and provide information necessary to meet agency, grant, and funder reporting requirements.
• Maintain participant confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries at all times.
• Participate in staff meetings, supervision, training, and professional development.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the FCRC Director.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Public speaking

Group facilitation

Case management

Information & referral

Time management

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

Associate degree in Human Services or related field

High school diploma + 4 years related experience

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Family Services of the Merrimack Valley (FSMV) seeks a compassionate Family Support Worker for the Family & Community Resource Center (FCRC) in Lawrence, MA. You will work with children, youth, and families to provide intake, service coordination, advocacy, and education; and connect families to community resources.

Responsibilities include facilitating parenting education, maintaining records, collaborating with schools and partners, and supporting Spanish-speaking families.