Healthy Families Family Support Specialist (1.0 FTE8 hoursday)

High Desert ESD celebrates all cultures and languages and is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive considerations for employment without regards to race color religion gender gender identity or expression sexual orientation national origin genetics disability age or veteran status.

Healthy Families Family Support Specialist

40hrs/week Mon-Fri 250 days per year (pro-rated for remainder of 2025-26)

Location: Eastside Campus / Bend

Preferred Qualifications:Bilingual Preferred (English/Spanish)

Rate as established by bargaining agreement Classified Wage Schedule starting rate $25.30 - $34.67/hr DOE
Benefits include family insurance package sick leave paid holidays generous PERS contribution.

Employee Value Statement:

At the heart of the breathtaking landscapes of Central Oregon where snow-capped mountains meet lush forests and vibrant communities lies an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. The High Desert ESD believes that every student educator and community member deserves a voice and a place to thrive regardless of their background or circumstances. Our commitment to equity and inclusion is woven into everything we do from the programs we develop to the partnerships we cultivate. We strive to create a culture where diverse perspectives are valued and where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

Position Summary:

The Home Visitor provides parent education resource and referral information and services that improve quality of life and movement toward self-sufficiency. The Home Visitor designs service around the researched national Healthy Families America goals as well as Oregon Healthy Starts legislated goals both of which are grounded in Family Support principles of practice: a) To systematically assess family strengths and needs and refer for special services as needed; b) To enhance family functioning by building trusting long term relationships using problem solving skills and improving the families support systems; c) To promote positive parent child interaction; and d) To promote healthy childhood growth and development.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Foster and build empathetic trusting relationships with all people in various situations
• Effective in written and oral communication skills
• Must work independently in a variety of environments
• Maintain program boundaries and adhere to the values and beliefs of Family Support work
• Promote positive growth and change in families assigned to caseload in the following areas: quality of life issues parent child interaction/relationship and knowledge of child growth and development; use systematic methods of assessing and evaluating needs for specialized services and refer to existing community agencies; monitor and evaluate all services families receive while enrolled in program continually partner with parents and advocate when necessary
• Effectively use Family Support Case Management methods (techniques and strategies) coaching feedback interventions teachable moments and active listening to promote the families abilities to problem solve on their own and achieve self-sufficiency; conduct Case Management methods within a strengths-based empowerment framework that supports Family Support principles and values
• Gather verify and communicate critical information and data to identify family issues and goals; establish appropriate intervention plans using Family Support principles; systematically and effectively evaluate all outcomes of Case Management interventions; report outcomes as outlined by program guidelines
• Assist families in determining personal values and goals and then systematically develop measurable steps to achieve them; focus on the process of identifying establishing and assessing progress made toward family-driven goals; develop solution-focused plans to assist families in achieving established goals
• Manage time conflicts crises and other situations to consistently meet the principles and values of Family Support programs; demonstrate confidence and creativity in difficult home situations so that program outcomes are met
• Facilitate solutions and movement toward self-sufficiency and positive change by using empowering opportunities to help build the families ability to problem-solve on their own proactively (and independently) utilize community agencies and programs and build personal social support systems
• Schedule efforts to meet multiple program demands successfully while maintaining frequent contact with families assigned to caseload
• Design and implement strategies purposefully to build and earn trust with families involved in the program
• Use advanced observation skills and reporting skills to communicate key issues and chosen Case Management methods to supervisor and other key partners; summarize home visits through written and oral communication strategies; critically reflect on progress made and practitioner skills chosen to achieve progress
• Consistently focus on personal safety while home visiting; seek information and advice from collaborating partners regarding personal safety
• Demonstrate self-direction and sustained initiative to improve work performance; seek new opportunities to learn from available resources and actively use reflective practices and critical analysis to develop personal performance goals
• Remain flexible adaptable and energized by challenges setbacks and change; assess own cognitive and emotional needs and develop personal plans to help meet those needs
• Enact high standards of personal and professional ethics in confidentiality program policies Family Support principles and boundaries; demonstrate a refined ability to use self-disclosure as a strategy to build trust and problem-solving techniques
• Demonstrate superior interpersonal communication skills with team members including all levels of management peers and collaborating partners
• Display non-judgmental attitude and genuine empathetic non-judgmental skills in promoting Family Support principles
• Celebrate diversity and honor the dignity of families and colleagues by educating and encouraging self and others continually striving to improve relationships
• Fulfill other related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• This position requires at minimum an Associates degree (Bachelors degree is preferred) in a Human Service field (i.e. social work sociology psychology early childhood family studies).
• Oregon Infant Mental Health endorsement preferred.
• Collaboration and team skills required.
• Preference will be given to applicants bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Must be able to bend stoop and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Must have access to reliable transportation and consistent attendance is required.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

While performing the duties of this position the employee is regularly required to: talk hear walk frequently sit stand stoop kneel crouch crawl use hand dexterity for computer work handle items reach with hand and arms lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds and see close and at a distance have peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus. Workloads are heavy and timelines may be unreasonably short at times. Requests and issues are often received which require immediate attention and conflict with other priorities.

Terms of Employment Salary benefits and vacation are established by policy and contract.

Required Experience:

IC