SUMMARY:Piikani Child and Family Services (PCFS) is a non-profit organization that delivers intervention and prevention services to the Piikani Nation. The Family Support Specialist plays a vital role in preventing children from entering the child protection system by providing immediate and ongoing support to families in crisis. This position works within the PCFS Prevention office, located in Brocket, AB., collaborating with families, community agencies, and other relevant programs to address risk factors and strengthen family stability. The position requires crisis response and family coaching to respond to families at risk and provide coaching, training and support to parents.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
This is a full-time, indefinite term position. Hours of work are 8:00am-4:00pm Monday through Friday. After-hours, evenings, and weekend work is required from time to time. This job will work mainly from our Brocket office, some travel will be required.
The wage will range from $55,000 - $60,000 per year depending on experience and education. A benefits package including health and dental will be provided after a successful 90-day probation period. This position offers opportunities to participate in Blackfoot cultural programs, field trips, lunch and learns and social events
DUTIES:

• Perform position duties according to PCFS policies and procedures in a highly confidential and professional manner
  
• Develop and implement crisis management plans to ensure family stability
  
• Assess the immediate safety of the client and their environment.
  
• Advocate for families within social services, legal systems, and community programs
  
• Support families in accessing housing, financial aid, healthcare, community agencies, and counselling
  
• Assist families in accessing and creating/establishing their family support network
  
• Educate and coach families on coping mechanisms, financial management, self-care practices, and healthy relationships
  
• Develop preventative and supportive in-home services/programs geared to help families reach their maximum potential of healthy functioning through the promotion of child development, parenting, safety planning, healthy relationships, healthy living, self-esteem building, self-care, healing from grief & loss, and other issues facing families
  
• Work with parents and maintain 1:1 support, mentoring, and training for clients and their families in the home
  
• Conduct quality home visits with cultural sensitivity
  
• Transport clients to and from appointments, errands, and other essential activities when needed
  
• Complete appropriate paperwork for program reporting and interoffice communication
  
• Coordinate, schedule and attend case conferences and appointments with community providers involved with the client, maintain regular contact with the client's network of service providers
  
• Coach and assist parents in increasing their problem-solving abilities and establishing community support systems for themselves and their children.
  
• Help to increase access to parenting and children's resources for client households
  
• Establish and maintain professional, confidential communication with clients and their families and community agencies involved in children's development.
  
• Assist clients in setting goals based on their individual needs assessments, identify steps to achieve their goals, and monitor progress.
  
• Collect key data to examine progress of the program and family response in order to learn and improve services
  
• Provide emotional support to clients in distress.
  
• Identify clients' needs and develop action plans to address them.
  
• Ability to integrate Blackfoot cultural wisdom and values in program delivery.
  
• Participate in required trainings for the position
  
• Ability to take initiative, multitask, organize and prioritize in a fast-paced environment
  
• Ability to adapt to change and willingness to learn as the community needs change.
  
• Other duties as assigned by Management.
  

REQUIREMENTS:

• Human Services Diploma/Certificate, Social Work/Community Development or Mental Health/Addictions education will be helpful for the position.
  
• Understanding of community resources in Piikani and surrounding areas
  
• Blackfoot language and culture knowledge is an asset
  
• Minimum of two years' experience in the human services field
  
• Knowledge of resources in early childhood and parenting programs
  
• Criminal Record Check including Vulnerable sector along with Child Intervention Check
  
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
  
• Must be able to work evenings and weekends
  
• Maintaining strict confidentiality of families at all times is a necessary part of the job.
  
• Practical communication skills, both written and verbal.
  
• Current CPR, Infant CPR, and First Aid Certification.
  
• Awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion frameworks with a non-judgmental attitude
  
• Must have a valid Driver's License with Driver's Abstract (Preferably class 4)
  
• Room to build capacity and understanding of the Blackfoot way of life and Piikani culture.