ʻOhana Support Specialist II - Kauaʻi

Job description

Job Purpose The ʻOhana Support Specialist (OSS) II provides direct services and programs that supports Native Hawaiian families and kamalei of all ages, with a focus on families with young children aged 0-5 as staffing and program capacity allow. The OSS II provides comprehensive, individualized and group family support services that build on families' strengths, relationships, and goals. This position provides advanced case management, coordination, and group facilitation services to support families in achieving their goals related to housing, education, employment, economic stability, and overall family well-being. The ʻOhana Support Specialist II will also work with the program team to develop, implement and evaluate innovative and impactful programing for families. Essential Responsibilities ‘Ohana Support & Case Management: • Applies a strengths-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approach to provide comprehensive case management and individualized support to families, with a focus on strengthening family well-being, increasing education and life skills, supporting workforce development, achieving economic stability, and maintaining stable housing. • Provides individualized coaching and advanced resource navigation and community referrals by maintaining strong knowledge of available resources related to mental health, substance use, domestic violence, workforce development, education, housing, and other areas impacting family well-being. • Provides ʻohana support through comprehensive assessments, service plans, education, coaching, and information sharing to help families identify strengths, navigate challenges, access resources, and make progress toward their self-identified goals. • Provides crisis prevention and intervention support as needed, utilizing appropriate assessment, de-escalation, and referral practices. • Maintains timely and accurate documentation and electronic records in accordance with LT policies and program requirements. Program Design, Implementation and Evaluation: • Facilitates activities, groups, and structured learning experiences. • Designs and facilitates curriculum integrating LT values, cultural grounding, infant and early childhood mental health principals, early childhood development models, and positive youth development framework, as appropriate to the ages and needs of kamalei and ʻohana. • Coaches participants toward individual growth and goal progression in group settings. • Supports program evaluation activities including data collection, registration and consent form management, and program outcome reporting. • Leads logistical implementation of programming, including data entry, scheduling, and coordination of program resources (e.g. staffing, facilities, transportation, food, supplies, etc.). • Collaborates with other LT teammates to meet the various needs of families and adapt group learning to reflect those needs. Community Outreach & Collaboration: • Builds and maintains relationships with community partners and service providers to strengthen resource networks and expand opportunities for families. • Represents LT in community settings to support collaboration, partnership development, and increased access to resources. • Actively participates in agency and program meetings, professional development opportunities, seminars, and conferences to enhance knowledge, skills, and practice. Other duties: • Participates in program planning, budget development, revision, and evaluation. • Participates in continuing education and training opportunities for professional development. • Contributes to the Trust’s success by accepting new assignments, helping team members, learning new skills, and striving to improves team and organization results. • Performs other duties as assigned. Qualifications • Master’s degree preferred; Bachelor’s degree required in social work, early childhood, marriage and family therapy, or another related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. • Minimum 3 years of experience providing case management, family support, community engagement, or service coordination required. • Professional experience working in the early childhood field with parents and young children preferred. • Preferred candidates will demonstrate strong case management, coordination, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to independently navigate complex situations and effectively collaborate with internal teammates, families, and external partners. • Preferred candidates will have experience partnering with families facing complex challenges, building on their strengths, resilience, and capacity for change. Experience may include child welfare, homelessness, criminal justice, mental health, domestic violence, or substance use. • Ability to work evenings, weekends and occasional holidays as needed. Ability to travel as needed. • Valid driver license, clean traffic abstract, and access to a privately owned automobile with valid no-fault insurance. • TB clearance. • First Aid and CPR/AED Certification preferred. Job Competencies • Aloha: awareness and approach to the work with compassion, empathy, and kindness. • ‘Imi Na’auao: a constant desire for seeking knowledge; lifelong learner. • Po’okele: desire to perform in excellence. • Wiwo’ole: maintain a courageous, brave, and fearless mindset. • Pono: understand the appropriateness of time, place, reason, people, and tools • Kuleana: bring a deep sense of responsibility and accountability. Ability to work flexible hours when necessary, including nights and weekends. • Collaboration: Ability to interact effectively with youth, community partners, and multi-disciplinary teams. Knowledge of community resources and services • Ethical Practice: Model the highest level of ethical behavior, integrity, and social responsibility. Uphold and embody all LT values. • Communication: Clearly convey and receive information and ideas. Engage the listener and invite response and feedback. Demonstrate strong written, oral, and listening skills. • Cultural Competence: Respect and relate well to people from varied backgrounds and sensitive to group differences. • Relationship Management: Experience working with staff at all levels in a collaborative environment; ability to promote and sustain positive workplace values and relationships. • Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work well under pressure and to remain calm and controlled when faced with challenging situations. Organization Competencies • Alignment with Queen’s legacy: Understanding and appreciation of Queen Liliuokalani’s story, her legacy and the Hawaiian Culture is foundational to staff’s commitment to working with our Hawaiian children, families and communities. Demonstrates respect for and appreciation of Hawaiian values history, and culture, understanding its implication in one’s work, in fostering meaningful relationships, and in embracing the community served. • Ho`omau i ka `imi Na`auao (Continuous Learning and Improvement): Committed to creating and reinforcing an environment of continuous learning and improvement. • Ho`ike i na Mana`o Pono (Effective Communication): Communicates with those we serve and each other in a consistent manner that results in mutual understanding, harmony, and action. • No'ono'o loi (Critical Thinking and Problem Solving): Actively and skillfully understands, conceptualizes, applies, analyzes, synthesizes, and/or evaluates information and develops and supports fact-based analyses and recommendations • Ho'o kumu a'e or `Imi hakuhia (Innovation): Identifies and integrates creative ideas into new or existing services and promotes effective problem-solving. • Pilina Ho`ohana a me ka Hana Hilina`i (Building Relationships and Creating Trust): Manages relationships to create optimal opportunities and move the organization forward. • Alu Like I ka Hana (Teamwork): Works cooperatively and collaboratively with others throughout the organization in alignment with the organization's objectives. • Ho`onui I ka `Ike (Capacity Building): Encourages personal growth by exhibiting trust and a belief in the capacity of others. Mental and Physical Demands: • Perform light physical work, including climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and lifting weight of up to 25 pounds. Exposed to outdoor climate and diverse terrain. Terms and Conditions of Employment • As a condition of employment, employee will be subject to LT’s policies and procedures. Job Title: ʻOhana Support Specialist II Reports to: Program Manager, Early Childhood FLSA Status: FT; Exempt Aligned Executive: Chief Impact Officer Kipuka: Kauaʻi Department: Early Childhood Liliʻuokalani Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to recruit, train, and retain innovative talent from a diverse candidate pool. All employment decisions will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, ancestry, genetic information, citizenship, marital/civil union status, arrest and court record, domestic or sexual violence victim status, credit history, disability or veteran/military status or other applicable legally protected characteristics.