SAFE CHILDRENSPECIALIST
Part Time
Bilingual Spanish Preferred
Family Shelter Service, an agency providing help and hope for victims of domestic violence and their children for 40 years, is looking to hire an experienced Safe ChildrenSpecialist.
This part time (15 hours/week) position is responsible for providing supportive services to child clients who have experienced domestic violence. Works with child clients living within and outside our walls in group and milieu settings. Collaborates with team to develop effective programming, to support one another in our Safer Living and Safer Communities efforts and to create and maintain a professional and respectful environment in which growth and healing can take place for both clients and staff. Bilingual – Spanish candidates are encouraged to apply.
Duties and Responsibilities:
1.Provides supportive services in informal individual and group settings for child clients.
2.Delivers support to adult clients around children’s needs. May provide parenting support in individual and group settings.
3.Regularly interacts with and provides support to child clients, their parents, and staff in the milieu setting.
4.Facilitates or co-facilitates a minimum of two children, parent, or family groups per week.
5.Provides childcare and acts in a support role to Safe Adult, Safe Children, and Safe Home Advocates.
6.Administers assessment and outcome tools as needed.
7.Creates group service plans in partnership with Children Advocate and each client and/or their parent; reviews plan bi-weekly.
8.Engages in ongoing discussions with parents when providing service to their child(ren).
9.Assists with and/or coordinates special events for clients.
10.May provide services within any of our locations and within the outside community.
11.Provides services in accordance with the Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professional Code of Ethics.
12.Provides timely and proper documentation of client contact, including weekly completion of case notes for client files, assistance with shelter statistics, and outcomes requires for grant reporting.
13.Utilizes training opportunities to remain cognizant of current developments in the field of domestic violence.
Relationships:
1.Supervised by Safe Children Coordinator, under the direction of the Director of Safer Living Program.
2.Partners and works closely with Safe Home, Safe Adult and Safe Children Advocates.
3.Collaborates with staff, interns, and volunteers within the agency across programs to provide effective, high-quality services to FSS clients.
Qualifications and Characteristics:
1.Education: Bachelors degree in Social Work, Psychology, or related field preferred. Associates degree in related field, social services, education, child development.
2.Experience:2 years experience working with children preferred. Training and experience with domestic violence and sexual assault highly preferred.
3.Training: 40-hour Domestic Violence training preferred but required after hire.
4.Professional Approach: Demonstrates an empathic, non-judgmental, service-oriented attitude in work with clients. Recognizes clients as the experts of their own lives; partners with clients to recognize and build upon their strengths. Demonstrates an understanding of the impact of trauma on individuals and families. Familiarity/experience with short-term interventions (e.g. solution-focused; crisis intervention; trauma-focused) preferred.
5.Personal: Demonstrates self-awareness, insight, and a commitment to ongoing professional growth. Values and practices respectful, non-violent communication. Models healthy boundaries and good self-care with clients and coworkers. Demonstrate knowledge and seek personal growth in working with diverse cultural, ethnic, socioeconomic backgrounds.
6.Technical:Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communications skills in both Spanish and English.
7.Leadership:Responds appropriately in varied situations and is able to function independently. Demonstrates professionalism, flexibility, and good judgment. Demonstrates commitment to teamwork and collaborative decision-making.
8.Bilingual Spanish skills preferred for this position. Demonstrates effectiveness working with diverse populations.
Special Conditions:
- Must have privately owned vehicle, valid drivers license, good driving record and liability insurance.
- Position requires evening and occasional weekend availability.
- Position may require travel to other sites to provide service.
- Must be able to lift 50-pound child.
Located in Wheaton, Illinois, Family Shelter Service offers a competitive salary and flexible work schedule.
To apply for this position, please email a cover letter and your resume to:
For more information about Family Shelter Service visit our website at:
Family Shelter Service is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability.