Family Support Advocate – Bilingual (Spanish)

embrella’s mission is “To embrace, support, and advocate for children, youth, and families within the child welfare community.”   Working towards this mission as a team, we embrace values of loyalty, professionalism, and responsibility while providing a culture that understands the importance of work/life balance.  Our agency promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, innovation and personal development for all team members.  We are not only committed to offering outstanding service to our families, but also a positive work environment for our staff.  Individuals devoting themselves to our worthwhile cause find their tenure at embrella a rewarding experience.

We are seeking a Family Support Advocate- Bilingual in Spanish. This individual will be highly motivated, collaborative, possess strong analytical, interpersonal and problem-solving capabilities while also being able to manage multiple projects concurrently.

The Family Support Advocate is primarily responsible for providing support and advocacy services for prospective and licensed kinship and resource families in the Hunterdon, Mercer, Somerset and Warren Counties in New Jersey.

This individual is responsible for researching and applying knowledge of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) standards, policies, and procedures to mediate and help resolve issues between families and DCF. This includes explaining information to families, arranging and attending meetings with DCF staff and families, and preparing correspondence. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, maintaining a case load of kinship and resource families, meeting regularly with families and connecting them to appropriate area resources, maintaining case records, troubleshooting family challenges and concerns, building relationships with Department of Children and Families (DCF) caseworkers, family service providers, and developing workshops to further caregivers' skill development.

This individual is expected to conduct outreach to develop and enhance connections with families and promote embrella services. They must have the ability to clearly communicate agency programs and build and maintain rapport with families, DCF staff and other service providers. This individual is also responsible for presenting educational workshops as well as aiding in the updating and development of further educational courses and materials.

This job requires the staff person to work some evenings and weekends. In order to assist families in their designated area, Family Support Advocate's working locations may include, but are not limited to, embrella’s Princeton office, DCF Area and Local Offices, or at other appropriate community partners. This individual is responsible for scheduling meetings and workshops to assist families in their area. The above-listed job duties are a brief description of this position. The Family Support Advocate may be required to perform other tasks deemed necessary by the Family Support Manager and/or Director of Family Support.

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE SKILL REQUIRED (Minimum education and experience needed to perform the job adequately)

• Bachelor’s degree required. Experience may be considered in-lieu of a degree.
• Highly organized and detailed-oriented
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Has the ability to speak and present to diverse populations
• Ability to work independently in the field and with minimal on-site supervision
• Be able to primarily work independently or in groups, if need be, with minimal supervision
• Has a proven ability to work with and meet tight deadlines
• Has the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Demonstrated ability to research information, programs and services
• Understanding of basic computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Must have a valid Driver’s License and reliable transportation

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE SKILL DESIRED:

• Bilingual - Spanish
• Knowledge of DCF policies and procedures
• Knowledge of statewide programs and services
• Knowledge of online and webinar platforms
• Proficiency in researching, writing, citing and referencing

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Duties that occupy a major portion of time and importance in the job)

• Advocates and mediates concerns for families and connects them with embrella and/or outside resources
• Responds clearly, professionally and accurately to all contacts such as phone, email, in-person, in a timely manner
• Maintains accurate and complete database and case records and documents contacts in a timely manner
• Researches and interprets DCF standards, policies and procedures to effectively mediate and help resolve issues between families and DCF
• Coordinates, attends and facilitates meetings and conferences with families, DCF and/or other outside agencies
• Maintains a positive working relationship with all external stakeholders, including Department of Children and Families
• Conducts targeted outreach to promote embrella services and programs, including conducting networking meetings and educational presentations
• Researches, develops and updates educational courses and materials relevant to families and youth
• Performs administrative tasks as needed.

ADA SPECIFICATIONS (Physical demands that must be met to successfully complete the essential functions of the job)

This position is assigned to a specific CP&P area with rotating work locations (i.e. CP&P Local and Area Offices, Family Success Centers and embrella’s office). This position is primarily sedentary (must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time) and located in an office or home environment; there will be lifting (minimum of 20 lbs.). While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate, converse and exchange information, in person, on the telephone and over the computer. The employee is occasionally required to move about in the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. At times, this job may require the employee to work in the field or work evenings and weekends as needed.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

embrella is an equal employment opportunity employer and employs individuals based upon job qualifications regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, ancestry, genetic testing, sexual orientation or affectation, age, veteran or military status, national origin, disability, atypical heredity cellular or blood trait or any other protected classification as established by applicable laws.

Please forward your resume and cover letter to Jessica Hernandez, Family Support Manager at jhernandez@embrella.org

If you wish to be considered for this position, you must answer the following question in a cover letter accompanied by your resume.

1. What is your knowledge of foster, adoptive and/or kinship care?
2. Briefly describe your experience facilitating meetings and/or conducting presentations for various group sizes.
3. We, at embrella, collaborate with CP&P. What is your knowledge and understanding of NJ Department of Children and Families’ Division of Child Protection & Permanency (CP&P)?
4. embrella’s office is located in Princeton in Middlesex County; however, this position will spend approximately 60% of the time in the field working out of CP&P offices within in the Hunterdon, Mercer, Somerset and Warren Counties in New Jersey. Is this a requirement that you can meet?
5. This position requires occasional evening and weekend hours. Is this a requirement that you can meet?