Family Support Worker | Family Resource Center

The Gándara Center provides residential, mental health, substance abuse, and preventive services for children, adults, and families across the Pioneer Valley and eastern parts of Massachusetts. Founded in the Hispanic community, we value cultural diversity and strive to provide culturally competent, innovative services to a diverse community. The Mission of the Gándara Center is to promote the well-being of Hispanics, African-Americans, and other culturally diverse populations, through innovative, culturally competent behavioral health, prevention, and educational services. Empowering Lives. Restoring Families

This position will support Gándara’s Westfield Family Resource Center, which aims to provide community-based, culturally competent programs, including evidence-based parent-education programs, youth and parent support groups, Early Childhood services, information and referral, educational support, cultural events, and other opportunities for families whose child/ren range in age from birth to 18 years.

The Westfield Family Resource Center Administrative Support Specialist provides administrative and program support that includes functions such as: working with FRC staff to manage the FRC calendar and schedule events, conducting informal screening of Family Members, obtaining information about reasons for accessing services and providing information and referral resources to Family Members.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Overall office management, purchase and acquisition of office supplies and office equipment maintenance.
• Responsible to receive program guests in a courteous and professional manner.
• Responsible for data entry functions as requested by Director.
• Responsible for xeroxing, binding, and professional presentation of all program materials.
• Screens all incoming calls, determine their nature, and forwards information through proper channels.
• Maintains client records in accordance with standard format and timetables, and in an organized and efficient manner.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• High school diploma minimally required.
• Associates or Bachelor’s degree in office management or related field preferred.
• Experience and demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations in a community-setting using a family-centered, strength-based approach
• Must have a valid driver’s license and meet agency requirements for driving history records and criminal background checks
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications; Corel; and related office technology
• Bilingual in Spanish/English, preferred

LEADERSHIP, TEAM MANAGEMENT, AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

Sensitivity to, and respect for, the diverse world views and different communication styles of individuals of diverse ethnic, linguistic and/or cultures which nurture and shape an organization that celebrates and promotes diversity in its workforce; highly effective and well-honed verbal and written communication and presentation skills in English; interpersonal skills necessary to persuade and guide both peers and other agency staff regarding operational matters.

AMERICAN DISABILITIES ACT REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

WORKING CONDITIONS 

This position is performed primarily in an office setting. Employee may lift and carry promotional items for community events, as well as for the set-up of support groups and food pantry.  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.

Benefits

• Retirement Plan 403(b) Employer Match
• Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Paid vacations
• Paid holidays
• 8 discretionary days a year
• Hiring Incentives**
• Mileage reimbursement
• Wellness incentive

ENVIRONMENT

Gándara Mental Health Center is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. The Gándara Mental Health Center is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status

The Gandara Mental Health Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.