Neighborhood Place of Puna·Hawaiʻi County, Hawaii
The Family Support Specialist provides strengths-based support to families through home visits and community outreach to promote child safety and healthy development. They are responsible for connecting families with resources, modeling parenting skills, and maintaining accurate case documentation.
The Family Support Specialist works under the supervision of the Program Coordinator - Family Services or a designated supervisor. This position is responsible for, working directly with families in-person and virtually to provide education and support that improves the family’s ability to develop and/or strengthen protective factors in the home. Ensuring that families have access to the appropriate resources and opportunities to remove barriers and develop a safe, stable, developmentally appropriate, and nurturing home environment for their child(ren).
Provide strengths-based family support services through Neighborhood Place of Puna's Family Resource Centers, home visits, outreach, and other community-based settings to promote child safety, family well-being, and healthy child development. Deliver parenting education, family support, and evidence-informed interventions in accordance with agency policies, program guidelines, funding requirements, and best practices. Build trusting relationships with families and partner with them to identify strengths, address barriers, and develop individualized goals that promote long-term family stability. Connect families with community resources, professional services, benefits, and other supports that address identified needs and strengthen protective factors. Advocate for families, when appropriate, to help reduce barriers and improve access to services. Conduct outreach and actively engage families who may benefit from available programs and services. Teach and model parenting skills, healthy communication, problem-solving, and other family life skills that strengthen caregiver capacity and improve overall family functioning. Support caregivers in creating safe, stable, and nurturing environments where children can thrive, including promoting child safety, health, education, and overall well-being. Fulfill all responsibilities as a Mandated Reporter by reporting suspected child abuse or neglect in accordance with Hawaiʻi State law and agency policy.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The position will require operating a company vehicle and/or personal vehicle to transport goods or personnel to various locations as needed. A valid HI driver's license and a clean driving record are required for this role. A reliable personal vehicle is required for this role.
One year or more of related field experience and a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university is required. Two or more years of related experience and a Master’s degree from accredited college or university is preferred. Educational requirements may vary depending on sources of funding.
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge and experience of Google, Microsoft Office, and other Internet software as well as some Social Media knowledge.
Valid Hawaii driver’s license and no-fault car insurance. Clean driving abstract. Resident of Puna/East Hawaii Community area preferred. Criminal Record and/or DHS-CWS background check Participate in the upkeep of office and general cleanliness of workspace
NPP Staff will strive to approach everyone with unconditional welcoming. We encounter each person as unique, recognizing that they have intrinsic value and are worthy of our respect. We understand that each person is walking their unique journey. We understand that their actions of body, speech, and mind — no matter how distressing — are shaped by their past experiences, causes, and conditions that we may never know. We believe that no one is so broken that they cannot heal, even if we cannot see a path of healing. Therefore, NPP Staff will strive to treat everyone with respect, love, and compassion no matter their race, sex, gender identification, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, native language, religion, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, pregnancy, etc. Our job is simply to accept all as unconditionally as possible.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; climb or balance and taste or smell. There will be frequent requirements to drive and/or walk on unpaved roads. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles and extreme heat. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
In the course of performing the duties of the Family Support Specialist it is not uncommon to see, engage or be confronted with the following: violence and threats of violence; profane, racists and/or sexist language; bodily fluids; conflict; interactions with First Responders; alcohol and other street drugs; cigarette smoke; death of service participants; nudity of service participants; people involved with sex work; people involve in the drug trade; persons used against their consent, will or knowledge; people in conflict with the law; and/or other situations that may be unsettling. Measures are taken to train staff to appropriately deal with these situations.
Market context
Family Support Specialist roles in Hawaii often reflect steady demand in community, behavioral health, and family services settings. These positions can be competitive because employers usually look for a bachelor’s degree, related field experience, and practical requirements like a valid Hawaii driver’s license, clean driving record, and reliable vehicle. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then confirm your driving and field experience details before applying.
