Posting number: 27-00135
Department: Mental Health Support Services
Job classification: MHSS Family Support Worker
Posting type: Open
Categories: Mental Health
PLEASE NOTE: BFOQ - Bilingual - English/Spanish This position MUST be filled by someone with verbal and written proficiency in both English and Spanish.
Who We Are
Mental Health Support Services (MHSS) is the provider of mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorder services for children and adults in Chesterfield County. Our Families First program is a free, voluntary home visitation program for expectant and new parents; we provide education and support to families with children prenatal through five years old. We are looking for a full-time Family Support Worker to offer support to families during the joys and challenges of parenting. Come join our team!
Minimum Education and Experience
High school diploma or GED; college coursework in a human services field preferred; one year of experience in the human services field; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Bachelor's degree in Human Services field preferred. Training and experience in Healthy Families America home visiting model preferred; Infant Mental Health endorsement preferred; at least one year of experience in a human services field with emphasis on home visitation or working with young children and parents preferred; experience working with or providing services to children and families preferred.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Working knowledge of the basic principles and techniques of parenting; of child development. Ability to conduct home visits; to observe and document client behavior; to learn and implement basic counseling techniques; to develop and maintain emotionally supportive relationships with clients and family members who have social, emotional or interpersonal problems; to communicate effectively orally and in writing; to operate a personal computer and related software and other standard office equipment; to develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external customers. Working knowledge of family and child development preferred; knowledge of community resources preferred; ability to work non-judgmentally with families of different cultures preferred; ability to work collaboratively with others preferred; ability to establish trusting relationships preferred.
Additional Requirements
Will be required to attend National Healthy Families training before delivering services.
Current valid driver’s license and good driving record required Based on the Virginia DMV point system, records must not reflect a total of six or more demerit points within the twenty-four months preceding the anticipated hire date, or one major violation of six demerit points within the preceding thirty-six months. Out-of-state driving records must be obtained by the applicant and presented at time of interview. Records must reflect at least three years of history and be dated within thirty days of interview date.
Pre-employment drug testing, FBI criminal background check and education/degree verification required.
This position is considered Safety Sensitive and is subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
Duties include but are not limited to the following:
• Provides home visiting and case management to families of children prenatal through age five utilizing the Healthy Families America home visiting model;
• Establishes a trusting relationship with families and makes regular home visits to provide basic information to improve parenting skill;
• Observes interactions between parent and child and offers support and assistance to promote positive interactions;
• Acts as a liaison between families and community agencies, identifying and assisting them to access community resources;
• May assist in conducting intake assessments using the Family Resilience and Opportunities for Growth Scale;
• Provides transportation for children/families when necessary and/or assists clients in obtaining transportation; and
• Performs other work as required.
40 hours/week; Monday - Friday
Mental Health Support Services
Chesterfield County is a local government adjacent to Richmond, VA with a population of approximately 350,000, encompassing 436 square miles. We provide a wide range of award winning municipal programs and services including public safety, health and welfare, parks and recreation, cultural activities, community development, water and wastewater services, and public health. Programs and services are delivered in a variety of ways - in person, on-line, by telephone and mail, via print and electronic media, as well as physical facilities (parks, libraries, airport, etc.) through a diverse and talented workforce. Chesterfield is truly a great place to live, work and play and our strength is reflected in the insightfulness, generosity and diversity of its community members.
