Description

Position Summary:

The Parent Resource Specialist is a new position that joins our well established JF&CS Access Team, which is the first point of contact for many callers and clients to our organization. The Access Team provide information and guidance to callers in complex situations, links callers to the most appropriate community resources, and makes personalized referrals to programs both at JF&CS and external organizations.

The Parent Resource Specialist is a multi-faceted role that helps families with children, community members, and other professionals learn about relevant community resources, programs, and benefits in the areas of children, mental health, and basic needs. The Parent Resource Specialist performs assessments, guides and counsels individuals and family members, and helps connect people with necessary community resources. When appropriate, the Parent Resource Specialist, will help screen for JF&CS programs that may be able to provide more ongoing support for callers. Most of this work is 1:1 with callers over the phone and via email, but also occasionally includes attending vendor fairs and speaking engagements. Researching and updating resource information and collaborating with internal and external colleagues are also important aspects of the job. This is a position for someone who is passionate about providing exceptional customer service.

This is a Monday-Friday, full time position. Schedule may be flexible and includes hybrid (in-office and remote) work options, with the expectation of at least two days a week in our Waltham office.

Responsibilities include:

• Working with and addressing the needs of the following populations: individuals with mental illness and/or disabling conditions, children and adolescents, parents and other family members, those experiencing difficulty meeting their basic needs, and other service providers and professionals.
• Providing telephonic support, needs assessment, guidance, and counseling to callers around complex clinical situations, personal and family dynamics, and identified problems and unmet needs.
• Community resource linkage for callers: identifying and sharing resources, providing benefits and systems education, orientation to the social service and mental health landscapes in Massachusetts.
• Performing initial screenings for JF&CS mental health and early relationship programs as appropriate, to ensure a good fit before making the warm handoff to the program staff.
• Researching external resources, services, and programs related to the needs areas of callers and helping to create and maintain the electronic resource database.
• Participation in team meetings, maintaining clinical record documentation, daily progress notes, service plans and goal assessments.

ABOUT JF&CS

For more than 150 years, Jewish Family & Children's Service has been helping individuals and families build a strong foundation for resilience and well-being. We intentionally serve and employ people of ALL faiths, backgrounds, cultures, and abilities.

We have a strong culture of professional development, work-life balance, and promotion from within.

JF&CS is an equal opportunity employer who serves and employs people of all cultures and faith traditions. Employment opportunities are available to all without regard for race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

Requirements

About You 

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree in related field preferred.
• Bi-lingual – Spanish and English – strongly preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of the needs of children and families and the resources available to them is required. Knowledge about basic needs resources and mental health resources, specifically in the Greater Boston area, is preferred.   
• At least 3 years’ professional experience providing customer/consumer support.
• Outstanding interpersonal, communication and relationship building skills.
• Strong computer skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Office required along with the ability to quickly learn new technology

To apply for this position, please submit your resume along with a cover letter explaining your interest and qualifications. 

Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.