EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES TO THRIVE
Who is Good Samaritan?
Good Samaritan Community Services is a 501(c) 3 organization that serves communities that are being underserved by traditional community support. We provide a continuum of integrated services to more than 3,500 individuals from the age of 6 weeks to 93. We serve more than 1,200 families via offices and locations in San Antonio, Brownsville, and other parts of South and West Texas.
Good Samaritan began as mission of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in 1939 and became an institution of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas in 1951 under the leadership of Bishop Everett Jones. Since the inception of our ministry, we have focused on serving the health and education, and social and emotional needs of our neighbors.
Our mission to "actively serve as a catalyst for change, supporting youth, individuals, and families by providing excellent community services to overcome economic poverty.” We do this through a continuum of services designed to stabilize families, establish nurturing relationships, and foster self-sufficiency in those we serve through the programs and support we provide via our Family Services and Youth and Teen Departments.
Position Summary
The Family Engagement Specialist is responsible for developing and maintaining positive relationships with youth and their parents, as well as coordinating opportunities for parents and youth to grow personally. They will serve as a bridge between residents and their needs, and the community resources and service providers that can help them meet identified needs and will be responsible for the day-to-day facilitation of immediate assistance services by reviewing initial eligibility determinations of individuals and families, including but not limited to public and family assistance programs.
The goal of this work is to assist in maintaining and increasing trust between families and Good Samaritan Community Services, and other service providers, by facilitating closing the gap between service providers and families to promote overall functioning and wellness of the family in their homes and neighborhoods. General responsibilities include coordinating efforts to improve parent/caregiver engagement and support such as parent meetings, parent curriculum, family nights, and bridge services.
Required Education and Experience
- High School Diploma or GED is required. Some college hours in Education, Social Sciences, or a related field is preferred.
- At least one year of experience in social services or a related field preferred.
- Two years of experience with contract and budget management preferred.
- Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred according to business needs and requirements.
- CPR Certification required upon hire.
- Valid driver’s license required.
Essential Duties & Functions
- Adhere to the Core values of Good Samaritan Community Services.
- Coordinate and develop strategic alliances with community providers.
- Facilitating access to available community services and resources as needed.
- Participate in neighborhood and public activities that foster family and community health as required.
- Establish rapport with families and empower them by building on their strengths.
- Observe and identify family and community needs.
- Work closely with program staff to identify families to attend engagement opportunities.
- Plan and facilitate monthly family nights/events to encourage parent and family engagement.
- Facilitate parent engagement to include parent education workshops, to promote awareness of family opportunities.
- Demonstrate sensitivity to social, physical, and emotional needs of program participants.
- Track attendance and participation in family engagement activities.
- Facilitate and lead Raising Highly Capable Kids - a 13-week parent curriculum that helps parents implement developmental assets in the lives of their child and family.
- Report participants progress and or significant incidences involving participants to Program Manager.
- Assist in evaluating, development and recommending program goals and objectives.
- Promote community awareness of programs through participation in outreach and recruitment efforts.
- Perform all other duties as assigned based on agency needs.
Supervisory Responsibilities
None.
Work Environment
This position operates in a professional office environment.
Physical Demands
Movement of documents and materials is required. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, one must be able to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, talk, hear, type, have close vision, color vision, depth perception, ability to adjust focus with good hand-eye coordination, and occasionally lift between 25-35 pounds. These physical demands 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.
Travel
Local and regional travel is required.
Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time, grant-funded position. The days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00PM. This position may require occasional evening and weekend work. This is dependent upon the nature of the special action, project, or event that may arise, and the timeframe for completion.
Benefits and Compensation
Salary is $16.50/hour. A competitive compensation package will be offered for this position based upon the successful candidate’s education, skills, and experience, and includes a generous paid time off policy, matching retirement plan, and a full complement of insurance benefits.