Social Services Tech 1 (Parent Educator)- Columbus

Georgia Department of Public Health (GA); Columbus (GA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Flexible schedule

Training opportunities

13 paid holidays

Vacation and sick leave

Paid parental leave

Dental

Vision

Life insurance

Employee retirement plan (ERS GSEPS)

Job summary

Georgia Department of Public Health in Columbus, GA is seeking a Social Services Technician 1 (Parent Educator) to provide structured home visitation services to expectant parents and families with babies 0-18 months. You will conduct developmental assessments, plan and document visits, travel for one-on-one sessions, and connect families to resources while maintaining accurate records.

The position emphasizes teamwork, reflective supervision, ongoing professional development, and compliance

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED and one year of experience in a social services-related position.
• Bachelor’s Degree in a social service-related field and one year of experience in a social services-related position. Must have a valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Engage in recruitment activities, as applicable.
• Complete an initial and annual, family-centered assessment with each family.
• Develop, monitor, and review goals with each family.
• Provide group sessions and one-on-one home visits focused on health and development, which include planning, delivering, and documenting the visit.
• Travel to provide one-on-one home visits.
• Administer appropriate screenings to expectant and postpartum mothers, children, and their families.
• Provide group connections to give families an opportunity to build social connections with each other, engage in parent-child interaction activities, and increase their knowledge of ways to support children’s development.
• Connect families to resources and help parents and children transition to other services, as needed.
• Maintain and submit all required family and program documentation in a timely manner.
• Participate in at least 2 hours of reflective supervision monthly.
• Participate in at least 2 hours of staff meetings monthly.
• Obtain competency-based professional development.
• Participate in continuous quality improvement.

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor’s Degree in a social service-related field

Job description

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Who we are. We protect lives. The Georgia Department of Public Health is the lead agency entrusted by the people of Georgia to proudly protect lives and promote healthy lifestyles in diverse communities statewide. We are committed to preventing disease, injury, and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing the State of Georgia for responding to disasters.

What we offer. As a member of the Georgia Department of Public Health team, you will join a passionate group of individuals who are dedicated to making an impact. No matter your role, you will individually contribute to protecting the lives of all Georgians while receiving a wide range of benefits, so you can:

• Make a Professional Impact – Build your career where it matters and protect lives in the community where you live, work, and play
• Enjoy Workplace Flexibility – Experience flexibility in how you work so you can be your best self for you and Georgia Residents
• Work with a Dynamic and Diverse Team – Collaborative and inclusive way of working where employees share ideas and leverage collective strengths
• Achieve Career Longevity – Countless opportunities for continuous learning/development that support a long-term career
• Take Part in a Hands-on Working Culture – Unique culture of active engagement and problem-solving, no matter your role
• Feel Pride in Where you Work – Be part of making an impact in public health alongside dedicated people just like you

As a Social Services Tech 1 within the Columbus Health Department at the Georgia Department of Public Health, you will join a dedicated group of public health professionals that help support the overall mission and vision of protecting lives of Georgian residents in a variety of ways.

This position will be housed in Columbus, GA and is Not a Remote position. The Family Support Specialist (Parent Educator) provides a broad range of social services to pregnant and post-partum clients and their babies 0-18 months. This position will travel to provide structured home visitation services to expectant parents and parents of newborns 0-18 months, facilitate group connections, conduct developmental assessments, and maintain accurate & updated files for assigned cases. You will support the Department by utilizing your expertise to fulfill the following responsibilities:

• Engage in recruitment activities, as applicable.
• Complete an initial and annual, family-centered assessment with each family.
• Develop, monitor, and review goals with each family.
• Provide group sessions and one-on-one home visits focused on health and development, which include planning, delivering, and documenting the visit.
• Travel to provide one-on-one home visits.
• Administer appropriate screenings to expectant and postpartum mothers, children, and their families.
• Provide group connections to give families an opportunity to build social connections with each other, engage in parent-child interaction activities, and increase their knowledge of ways to support children’s development.
• Connect families to resources and help parents and children transition to other services, as needed.
• Maintain and submit all required family and program documentation in a timely manner.
• Participate in at least 2 hours of reflective supervision monthly.
• Participate in at least 2 hours of staff meetings monthly.
• Obtain competency-based professional development.
• Participate in continuous quality improvement.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: High School Diploma or GED and One (1) year of experience in a social services-related position.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s Degree in a social service-related field from an accredited college or university and one year of experience in a social services-related field. Must have a valid driver’s license.

All West Central Health District 7 employees are deemed essential workers in the event of an emergency. As such, you may be called on to participate in an event including but not limited to: staffing a shelter, working at a Specimen Point of Collection Site (SPOC) and/or working at a Point of Dispensing site (POD). If you are called on to participate, you are required to report to the designated site as a condition of employment, whether the emergency occurs during or outside regular work hours.

The DPH Commissioner and agency leaders encourage all employees to engage in regular wellness activities and to make lifestyle choices that promote health and well-being.

The use of physical activity breaks during the workday is authorized to support this philosophy and help employees meet their wellness goals.A maximum of 30 minutes of physical activity may be allocated per workday, typically in the form of two 15-minute breaks or one 30-minute break.

Employment Information

State of Georgia employees are subject to the rules of the State Personnel Board regarding salary.

DPH accepts educational credentials recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or the US Department of Education (DOE) as valid. DPH will contact educational institutions to verify degrees, diplomas, licensures, and other relevant credentials.

The candidate selected for this position may be subject to pre-employment drug screening and a criminal background check.

Relocation assistance is not provided.

In the event of an identified emergency, you may be required, as a term and condition of DPH employment, to assist in meeting the emergency responsibilities of the department.

ADA Statement

DPH is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process, email [e-mail].

DPH is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e‑mail. All qualified applicants will be considered, but may not receive an interview. DPH will contact selected applicants to proceed with the application process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification.

This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.

BENEFITS

Standard Benefits for Full-Time Salaried Employees

• Flexible schedule
• Training opportunities
• Health insurance
• Employee retirement plan (ERS GSEPS)
• Deferred compensation
• 13 paid holidays
• Vacation and sick leave
• Paid parental leave
• Dental
• Vision
• Long-term care
• Life insurance

Standard Benefits for Part-Time Employees

• Part-time employees are eligible to participate in the Georgia Defined Contribution Plan and receive paid parental leave.