Apalachicola, FloridaFranklin County, FloridaWakulla County, Florida
Quick overview
This paraprofessional role focuses on strengthening families by providing long-term, family-centered support to identified families, primarily through in-home visits, to improve parent-child relationships and home environments. Responsibilities include administering evidence-based assessments, referring families to needed services, and assisting with parent groups and program quality improvement projects.
Requirements summary
Candidates must possess a valid Class E Florida Driver's License and a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent, along with experience working with children or families. Successful completion of mandatory Healthy Families Florida trainings, including some requiring overnight stays, is required.
high schoolInterpersonal SkillsWritten CommunicationVerbal CommunicationAdvocacyDrivingGoal SettingMotivationAssessment AdministrationBoundary SettingTrust BuildingCultural SensitivityCommunity Resources KnowledgeChild Development KnowledgeIntrospectionStrength-Based ModelInfant Mental Health Endorsement
Job description
Requisition No: 870071
Agency: Department of Health
Working Title
Family support worker - 64084056
Pay Plan: Career Service
Position Number: 64084056
Salary
$34,760.18
Posting
Closing Date: 03/15/2026
Total Compensation Estimator Tool Job posting category “Anticipated Vacancy” (Open Competitive) Your Specific Responsibilities: This is a highly responsible paraprofessional position working to strengthen families and help parents to be the best parents they can be.
Families are idenitified by assessment to be in need of services.
Families volunteer for these services.
This position is supervised by the Social Services Counselor SES, is designated as a sensitive position per the CHD protocols, and is responsible for the integrity and confidentiality of data sets under his/her control.
Frequent travel is required.
Responsible for initiating and maintaining regular, consistent long-term support to families identified in need based upon the famiies' results on the Healthy Families Florida Assessment Tool and the families' voluntary participation in the Healthy Families program.
Contact with families occurs primarily in the home of the families, sometimes in high risk areas, and is: family centered, strength-based, and directed at establishing a trusting relationship.
The FSW is responsible for assisting in strengthening the parent-child relationship, assisting parents in increasing successful problem-solving and advocacy roles for themselves and their children, assisting the parents in improving their skills to optimize the home environment, providing information on child development, the meaning and goal of discipline, medical needs of the children (including but not limited to well child care and immunizations), and assuring that the families are aware of and are referred to needed services.
This is evidenced by the participant and program outcomes and process measures in the contract between the Franklin County Health Department, Healthy Families Franklin-Wakulla-Gulf, Healthy Families Florida, and the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida.
Benefits
Dental Insurance
Life Insurance
Paid Holidays
Sick Leave
Health Insurance
Vision Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Supplemental Insurance Options
Annual Leave
Personal Holiday
Retirement Plan Options
Tuition Waivers
Group Insurance
Discusses and distributes family planning (birth control) information to clients, including teenagers and unmarried persons.
Assists with parent groups, including set-up, onsite childcare, and clean-up.
Models age appropriate play and activities in homes, including floor play and tummy time.
This position will also work with DOH staff on strategic planning and quality improvement projects related to the Healthy Families program.
Responsible for administering the evidence-based Healthy Families Florida Assessment Tool (HFFAT) within the time specified by the Healthy Families program policy and contract and for assisting the familiy in establishing goals and a plan or accomplishment of the goals while addressing the progress toward those goals on an ongoing basis.
Responsible for the administration of tools and screenings (ex: ASQ3, ASQ-SE2, EPDS, HFPI) at intervals as outlined in the Healthy Families FWG program policy and contract and providing ongoing assessment of the home for safety required by the Healthy Families Florida Contract.
Performs other related duties as directed by the Supervisor, Senior Human Services Program Specialist, and the CHD Director Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of community resources; ability to relate to families from a strength-based model, even in a chaotic environment; ability to establish personal and programmatic boundaries; ability to be culturally sensitive and appropriate; strong interpersonal skills; demonstrates motivation; believes in and is comfortable with advocating for nurturing non-violent discipline of children; excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to transport clients in personal vehicle when county vehicle is not available (mileage reimbursed at State of Florida reimbursement rate).
Employee must successfully complete all Healthy Families Staff Orientation Trainings, Core Trainings, HFFAT certification training, Three-, Six-, and Twelve-Month Trainings, annual trainings, and specialized trainings per Healthy Families Florida policies, many of which are located offsite and some which require overnight stays up to one week each.
Infant mental health endorsement preferred.
Experience working with or providing services to children or families
Ability to establish trusting relationships Acceptance of individual differences Experience and humility to work with culturally diverse families Knowledge of infant and child development Willingness to engage in building reflective capacity (e.g., has capacity for introspection, communicates awareness of self in relation to others, recognizes value of supervision, etc.) Infant mental health endorsement preferred
Qualifications
Valid Class E Florida Driver's License required
At a minimum, a high school diploma or equivalent (required by Healthy Families Florida – grant contract) Must be willing to physically come in the office daily and perform field work
Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values
Mission: To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.
Vision
To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.
Values
I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.
C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.
A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.
R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.
E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.
Where
You
Will
Work: 139 12th Street
Apalachicola,
Fl 32320
The
Benefits of
Working for the
State of
Florida: Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:
Annual and Sick Leave benefits. Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year. State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options; Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
(For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);
Flexible Spending Accounts; Tuition waivers; And more!
For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com. Please be advised: Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process. This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration.
Note
You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions. Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS.
For more information, please visit the
SSS website: http://www.sss.gov If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system. E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility. Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days. All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered. The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation. All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered. The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women. The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise. Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country. The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.
Veterans’ preference.
Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.
Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.
Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.
Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.
All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.
