Family Unification Specialist

Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 26,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Inc. is seeking a part-time Family Unification Specialist to support trauma-informed services for families in crisis, including those involved with Child and Family Services or during divorce proceedings.

Services may occur at home or in the community to support reunification and child safety. The role requires building trust, maintaining confidentiality, and collaborating with state agencies, courts, and community partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in human services or mental health, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 21 years of age or older and capable of working with families and youth.
• Minimum of two years of experience with youth, families, or child protective services.
• Must have a license to operate a passenger vehicle and pass background checks.
• Ability to engage families in divorce/separation, parenting skills, and out-of-home placement topics.

Responsibilities

• Provide identified Child Welfare Prevention and Support Services to families as assigned.
• Coach, train, and monitor safety while offering educational, emotional, and community support.
• Complete required training and maintain documentation per COA and agency procedures.
• Represent YBGR professionally to DPHHS partners and court officials.
• Contribute to agency goals and participate in PQI initiatives.
• Attend monthly supervision meetings and stay aware of cultural and socioeconomic factors.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Listening

Dependability

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in human services/mental health

Tools

First Aid/CPR Certification

Vehicle operation license

Job description

Position Summary: At Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, we count on our Family Unification Specialist(s) to support a trauma-informed environment. They are primarily responsible for providing services to families in crisis, who are involved with Child and Family Services, or during a divorce or parenting plan. Family Unification Specialists will provide services to families both in and out of the client's home. A Family Unification Specialist will support the approach that in most cases, reunification is in the children's best interest when the home and parents are safe. They must be mission and values-driven and possess a strong work ethic, reliability, and desire to be a positive role model in our youth and families' lives.

Starting Salary Range: $19.21 - $21.62 per hour for part-time position. Salary reflects steps 1-5 of an 11-step pay schedule. The starting salary will be determined based on the applicants education and relevant experience.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

• - Provide identified Child Welfare Prevention and Support Services to families as assigned by the immediate supervisor.
• - Support families through ongoing coaching, training, and monitoring for safety while providing educational, emotional, and community support systems, risk assessment, and confidentiality to maintain a healthy relationship conducive to client growth through the reunification process (including supervised visitation).
• - Complete training as assigned by immediate supervisor to enhance services offered through the CWPSS program, such as Visit Coaching.
• - Complete, update and maintain all necessary documentation within the guidelines set by COA, Montana ARMs, Contracts, and YBGR Policy and Procedures.
• - Be a professional representative of YBGR to all DPHHS partners, and judicial court representatives.
• - Contribute to the strategic goals and outcomes of the agency as measured by the development and achievement of individual, departmental, and organizational goals and outcomes. Participate in Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) goals of the organization both individually and as a team member.
• - Deal constructively and helpfully with all other members of the organization.
• - Fully support and model the mission and values of YBGR.
• - Adhere to all policies, systems, safety requirements, and procedures of the organization.
• - Take the initiative to identify problems and seek out solutions.
• - Be a professional representative of the organization to those outside it.
• - Participate and engage in monthly supervision/coaching meetings with the supervisor.
• - Be aware of the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the persons served.
• - Participate in required training as appropriate to the position and beneficial to YBGR.
• - Participate in emergency on-call rotation as assigned by supervisor.
• - Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• - Education: Bachelors Degree from an accredited university in a human services or mental health related field of study.
• A combination of previous professional experience and formal education from an accredited university may be considered in lieu of degree.
• - 21 years old or older
• - Previous Professional Experience: A minimum of two years of experience working with youth, families, or child protective services.
• - License and/or Certification: License to operate passenger vehicle
• - Competencies or Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• Demonstrated knowledge working with families in the following areas: divorce/separation, family break ups, parenting skills, child abuse and neglect and correlated problems, child development, low income and cultural issues, as well as an understanding of out-of-home placement issues.
• - Understand the role of the family and family system, whether the family is biological, kinship, state foster care, or therapeutic foster care.
• - Must be able to engage individuals suffering from mental health, chemical dependency issues, physical and/or mental disabilities. Shall demonstrate personal characteristics such as being non-judgmental, compassionate, and can establish and maintain a trusting relationship with clients and outside stakeholders.
• - Good computer skills and able to quickly learn and use YBGR selected software solutions.
• - Good judgment and decision-making skills
• - Obtain and maintain certification in First Aid/CPR and Violence Intervention Prevention
• - Display regular, predictable, and reliable attendance at work
• - Adept at listening, problem-solving, and teamwork
• - Ability to communicate effectively, verbally, and in writing
• - Criminal / Child Abuse Clearance: Must pass criminal record and child abuse registry background check as required by the State of Montana.