FAMILY SERVICES SPECIALIST - 64063796

Requisition No: 838666 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: FAMILY SERVICES SPECIALIST - 64063796

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64063796 

Salary:  $60,000 to $68,000 annually 

Posting Closing Date: 12/31/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Open Competitive

Unique opportunity for a caring and passionate mental health professional looking to make a difference in the lives of children and families! Work alongside a team of dedicated professionals in a supportive environment!

Your Specific Responsibilities:
The Family Services Specialist functions in the role of Mental Health Counselor for the Healthy Families Hendry/Glades (HFH/G) Program – LaBelle and Clewiston Sites.
This is a professional counseling position with the Department of Health in Hendry and Glades Counties (DOH-Hendry/Glades). The primary role is to provide in-home counseling for high-risk families, according to standards set by Health Families Florida (HFF). The incumbent is responsible for providing direct services for families and providing collaboration and consultation services for family support specialists and other team members. The incumbent is responsible for collecting and inputing data in a timely manner and attending all required training provided by DOH and HFF.
Provide direct services for families:
• Collect referrals for services and determine eligibility based on risk factors;
• Conduct psychosocial assessments;
• Provide ongoing individual, relationship and family in-home counseling services;
• Refer for specialized services and follow-up with family and service providers on those services.
Ensure timely and accurate documentation of services provided:
• Develop and update treatment plans;
• Complete all required documentation including client progress notes, summaries, etc.;
• Document referrals provided and outcomes.
Provide collaboration and consultation services for family support specialists and other team members:
• Review home visiting and supervision records;
• Lead/facilitate staff briefings and meetings with family support specialists and other team staff;
• Provide consultations to family support specialists and other team members;
• Provide training to family support specialists and other team members, including annual child abuse and neglect refresher and various topics related to infant mental health and working with families with challenging issues;
• Participate in service planning for families;
• Participate in supervision meetings between the family support specialist and supervisor, as appropriate;
• Accompany the family support specialist on home visits, as appropriate.
Attend Training:
• Attend all required DOH and HFF orientation and in-service training;
• Attend the required core training provided by HFF;
• Attend domestic violence, substance abuse, and child abuse and neglect training training provided by HFF;
• Share other training attended with HFF.
Reporting:
• Collect data, ensure timely and accurate data entry, and ensure completeness of data for services provided;
• Follow the data collection guidelines provided by HFF;
• Participate in regular meetings with the Program Manager to review referral process, caseload and family progress;
• Distribute Participant Satisfaction Survey provided by the Ounce of Prevention/HFF, with the self-addressed Business Reply envelopes provided by HFF during the month of April to all enrolled families;
• Complete quarterly report, including client success story, and submit within established timeframes;
• Participate in HFF conference calls and convey information to other staff, as needed.
Performs related work as required, including disaster preparedness. Completes Employee Activity Reports (EARs) per established timeframes.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Ability to work independently, use computer systems, organize/coordinate work assignments, actively listen and effectively communicate, work with culturally diverse families, travel throughout Hendry and Glades Counties, establish and maintain effective professional relationships, recognize indicators of abuse and neglect, and complete assessments and develop plans for individual cases.
• Knowledge of theories and practices in counseling or social work, professional ethics relating to counseling or social work, and interviewing techniques.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office computer programs and online databases.
• Fluency in English/Spanish.
• Ability to work variable hours to accommodate the needs of families served.
• Knowledge of infant and child development, positive parenting, parent-child attachment, maternal-infant health, and dynamics of child abuse and neglect; experience in home visitation with a background in prevention services to the zero to three age population.

Qualifications:
Minimum:

• Willing to work during or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency? Emergency duty required of the incumbent of this position includes working in Special Needs or Red Cross Shelters, or performing other emergency duties including, but not limited to, responses to or threats involving any disaster or threat of disaster, man-made or natural.
• Master’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling or similar degree from an accredited college or university.
• Florida license (LCSW, LMHC or LMFT) or in the process of obtaining licensure.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience providing individual and/or family therapy to those affected by domestic violence, mental health, or substance abuse.
• Fluency in English/Spanish.
• A valid Florida driver's license and reliable transportation.

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:
Mission:
To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.
Vision:
To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.
Values:
I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.
C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.
A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.
R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.
E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:
LaBelle and Clewiston

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. As an OPS employee, the benefits below are available:

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (mandatory)
• Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements.  Consult with People First and/or the serving HR office)
• Workers’ Compensation (mandatory, if needed)
• Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) (mandatory, if needed)
• Deferred Compensation (voluntary)
• Employee Assistance Program (voluntary)
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.  

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov 

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida.  Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. 

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system.  E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.   

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. 

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation. 

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. 

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women.  The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise.  Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.    

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.