Family Engagement Specialist I

• Knowledge, abilities and skills
• Demonstrate skills and abilities to work with a culturally diverse population.
• Must have knowledge and understanding of cultural diversity.
• Ability to establish trusting relationships and accept individual differences.
• Must have a good knowledge of infant and child development and the dynamics of child abuse and neglect.
• Ability to develop effective partnerships with the family, service providers and others to address primary safety risks and concerns through cultural competency and strength-based communication.
• Must have the ability to use Motivational Interviewing techniques with children and parents to gather information and build rapport with families.
• Ability to use good judgment and make independent decisions with clear and professional boundaries.
• Ability to learn and follow department policies and procedures.
• Ability to follow proper universal precautions and infection control techniques per policy.
• Responsible for maintaining a professional and safe department and work area in line with established safety policies and the image desired for the organization.
• Maintains and demonstrates current knowledge and operational techniques on all pieces of equipment utilized by the position.
• Ability to use assessment tools.
• Ability to become familiar with community resources and utilize such resources to meet participant needs.
• Ability to satisfactorily conduct interviews and document assessment.
• Must demonstrate good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to display a positive guest relations attitude.
• Ability to deal tactfully with participants, co-workers, community agencies and the general public.
• Ability to work harmoniously within Healthy Families Polk, with professional and non-professional employees within and outside the organization.
• Ability to work well as part of a team and be able to function independently when needed.
• Ability to read, write, and understand the English language.
• Ability to provide transportation for a participant as appropriate utilizing a county vehicle.
• Must possess sight/hearing senses.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited four (4) year college/university with major course work in a Human Services related field;
• or an Associate of Arts degree with major course work in a Human Services related field plus two (2) years’ experience working with families;
• or certification as a Child Development Associate (CDA) plus three (3) years’ experience working with families;
• or graduate of an accredited high school or possess an acceptable equivalency diploma and have four (4) years’ experience working in a home visiting program.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to secure a valid Florida driver’s license at the time of employment.
• A comparable combination of related training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications, except where licensure is required.

• Special requirements
• Applicant is required to complete a Level 2 background screening (FBI check) prior to employment.
• Applicant must also sign the Healthy Families Florida Standards of Confidentiality and Information Sharing Form, the Affidavit of Understanding form, The Department of Children and Families (DCF) Security Agreement form and the Affidavit of Good Moral Character form.
• Applicant must be willing and able to work a flexible schedule to accommodate the needs of the program participants.
• Must have a telephone at the time of employment as employee is subject to be called.
• The Healthy Families Division is responsible for assisting in the Emergency Management Operations for Polk County in the event of an emergency such as a hurricane.
• The Healthy Families Division staff may be called upon to staff special needs shelters or assist with arranging transportation.

• Special preferences
• Bilingual abilities preferred.
• Infant mental health endorsement preferred.

This position shall be required to report for work as directed when a declaration of emergency has been declared in Polk County.

All employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the county and its residents.