Govt. ACFS - Parenting Aide - Closes: 10-22-2026

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians; Michigan; On-site; USD 19,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians is seeking a Parenting Aide to support the Child Placement Services. The role involves transporting clients, supervising and facilitating parent and child visits, and administering drug screens as needed.

The position requires a high school diploma or GED, experience with children or families, and valid driver’s license. Certifications related to child safety and parenting programs are required within set timeframes.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with children and families in high-stress situations.
• Strong time management and organization skills.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Schedule visits between children, siblings and parents.
• Provide supervised parenting time in a safe environment.
• Transport and transition clients to visits and appointments.
• Maintain documentation of family interactions and visit outcomes.
• Provide feedback to caseworkers for treatment planning.
• Provide court testimony about visit observations.
• Assist with office tasks (copying, scanning, filing, data entry).
• Administer Preliminary Breath Tests (PBTs) and drug screens as requested.
• Complete monthly narrative and statistical reports.
• Ensure safety and well-being of clients at all times.

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Parenting Aide, under the direction of the Child Placement Services Supervisor, is responsible for assisting professional staff in the child welfare section of ACFS. The position provides transportation of clients, supervision and facilitation of parent, child, and sibling visits, administering PBT and drug screens as well as routine administrative support tasks.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assist with the scheduling of visits between children, siblings and parents.


• Provide supervised parenting time for parents with their children, allowing the child to interact with their parents in a safe environment while promoting a healthy relationship.


• Promote development of family relationships by allowing the family to take the lead and make choices and encourage a routine and structure that may be adapted to home life with the children.


• Supervise visitation between parents, children, and siblings in a family friendly setting which may include the parental home, a relative’s home, or a public or agency site.


• Provide information and helpful suggestions to the parents on parenting skills, limit setting, etc. as needed, depending on each case dynamics, family needs, and visitation goals.


• Transport and transition children and/or parents to and from each parenting visitation time and related appointments.


• Maintain documentation of family interaction during visits or transportation.


• Provide verbal and written feedback to the primary caseworker to assist with treatment planning.


• Provide court testimony about visit observations.


• Ensure the safety and well-being of clients at all times.


• Assist staff with maintaining child welfare case files.


• Assist staff with office support tasks such as copying, scanning, filing, uploading, and logging information.


• Administers Preliminary Breath Tests (PBT's) and drug screens as requested.


• Completes monthly narrative and statistical report.


• Maintains cleanliness of visit areas and vehicles.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

(includes, but is not limited to, the following)

CONTACTS:

Immediate peers, peers in other departments, immediate supervisor/manager, managers in other departments, customers/clients and outside vendors/service providers.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Position medium with lifting of 50 pounds maximum, and frequent lifting/carrying up to 25 pounds. Physical factors include constant use of hearing, smell, near/midrange/far vision, depth perception, field of vision; frequent sitting, carrying, and driving; occasional standing, walking, lifting, pushing/pulling, climbing, stooping, kneeling, crawling, reaching, manual handling, use of color vision, typing and bending. Working conditions include frequent exposure to weather, extreme heat/cold, wet/humidity and noise and air quality. Potential hazards include frequent client contact and computer use and occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts, electric shock, chemicals, pesticides/insecticides, infectious exposure, needles/syringes and equipment use.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education: High School diploma or GED required.

Experience: One year working with children or families required.

Certification/License: Car Seat Safety Certification within one month of hire. Nurturing Parenting Program Certification within 6 months of hire. Must have a valid driver’s license and be insurable by the Sault Tribe Insurance Department. Must comply with annual driver license review and insurability standards with the Sault Tribe Insurance Department. Will be required to undergo and successfully pass a background check. Must maintain a good moral character standing. Must comply with the Sault Tribe’s Drug-Free Workplace Policy which may include random drug tests.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must have working knowledge and be able to use word processing and spreadsheet and database software. Must have knowledge of universal safety precautions. Knowledge of proper child vehicle restraints preferred. Must have excellent communication skills and be able to communicate clearly in person, in writing, and by telephone and email. Must be flexible and available to work various shifts, including nights, weekends and holidays. Must be able to work in high stress environment and handle difficult situations. Must be able to work with minimal to no supervision. Must have sound interpersonal skills. Must have time management skills. Must have stress management skills. Must have sound decision making and deductive reasoning skills and abilities. Must have crisis management skills. Must have critical thinking skills. Must be able to establish appropriate relationships and boundaries with clients. Must be able to confront and redirect inappropriate client behavior. Must be comfortable interacting with children and families. Must be self-motivated. Must be comfortable working in unpredictable conditions of public venues and client homes. Must maintain strict confidentiality. Native American preferred.

This job description outlines the general scope and level of responsibilities associated with the position. It is not intended to be an employment contract, nor does it represent a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, or requirements. The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians reserves the right to modify, add, reassign, and combine job duties or positions, in whole or in part, at any time.