Family Service Advocate Jobs

PROGRAM SUMMARY:

Volunteers of America is a federally and stated funded comprehensive early childhood education program with a focus on child development that includes a child’s cognitive, physical and social emotional growth and development. The program fosters Family Engagement in all areas of a child’s development and provides comprehensive resources to low income families in the areas of health, nutrition and community resources.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

Under direction of the Eligibility Specialist, the Family Service Worker works in partnership with parents, staff, and the community to determine families’ eligibility for programs. Facilitates enrollment process including identifying eligibility and securing appropriate documentation for enrollment process. Establishes collaborative relationships with other community providers to develop integrated, comprehensive program services and systems to ensure full enrollments. Coordinates referrals for families to community partners as needed.

Duties:

• Recruits and enrolls families eligible for participation in the assigned programs to ensure 100% enrollment in each service option.
• Interviews people of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and temperaments using a variety of standard interview and interaction techniques to determine eligibility and need for programs and services; interviews clients and individually and in group settings to obtain required information; explains program requirements and procedures individually and in group setting to obtain required information; explains program requirements and procedures individually and in a group setting.
• Engages families in the process of establishing goals and objectives for Family Partnerships.
• Establishes and maintains case files; prepares necessary documentation to initiate, continue and modify program needs; plans and organizes caseload to ensure that necessary work is completed.
• Determines program eligibility in accordance with a variety of regulations; computes, with the use of a computerized record keeping system, the amount of aid authorized using all potential income and allowable deductions from earnings; makes computer entries, reads and interprets data.
• Assists applicants in the completion of applications and declaration forms upon which eligibility decisions are based; elicits information in difficult and emotional situation on such matters as applicant earnings and financial obligation, parental status and living arrangements.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS:

EDUCATION:

• Must have either an Associate Degree or higher in social work or a related field or a Family Development Credential.

EXPERIENCE:

• One year minimum experience paid or in a voluntary basis in a human service agency and/or working with low income families is required; experience in a preschool setting preferred.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred
• Proficiency with computer applications such as Microsoft Office, Windows, Internet and Student Information Database System
• Ability to meet physical requirements of the position per attached Physical Demand Analysis, with or without reasonable accommodation

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Eligibility to Work: All potential employees will be asked to present supporting documents establishing proof of identity and employment eligibility upon completing the I-9 form. *

Medical Examination: Must submit a medical examination demonstrating capability to perform type of work required; must submit a tuberculin skin test or chest x-ray, and proof of the following immunizations; Influenza, Pertussis TDAP (Whooping Cough), and Measles (MMR).

Fingerprint Clearances: All potential employees will be subject to obtain fingerprint clearances from the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Child Abuse Index prior to starting work. *

Other Special Requirement: Must have the use of an automobile with adequate insurance coverage and a valid California driver’s license, or have available transportation.

• Failure to meet medical standards and/or criminal record clearance may result in withdrawal of job appointment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

• Use close vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception along with the ability to focus vision.
• Ability to squat, bend, stoop, sit on floor, stand, and walk for required periods of time.
• Reach with hands, arms, use hands, and fingers to handle objects and operate tools, computers, and/or controls.
• Ability to lift 30 pounds if required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Applications are accepted online only. This employer participates in e-Verify.