Family Support Specialist at Georgia Department of Public Health

About the Department

The Southeast Health District is seeking a highly qualified candidate to fill the full-time, salaried position of Family Support Specialist  based in Waycross, GA. 

As a Family Support Specialist with the SEHD, you will join a dedicated group of public health professionals that help support the overall mission and vision of protecting lives of Georgian residents in a variety of ways.

It is our mission at the Southeast Health District, to promote and protect the health of people in Southeast Georgia, wherever they live, work and play, uniting with individuals, families, and communities to improve and enhance their quality of life. We have clinic locations in 16 counties in Georgia, including Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Brantley, Bulloch, Candler, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Evans, Jeff Davis, Pierce, Tattnall, Toombs, Ware and Wayne counties.

The Georgia Department of Public Health is the lead agency entrusted by the people of Georgia to proudly protect lives and promote healthy lifestyles in diverse communities statewide. We are committed to preventing disease, injury, and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing the State of Georgia for responding to disasters.

Position Duties

The Family Support Specialist/Home Visitor (FSS/HV) is responsible for initiating and maintaining regular and long-term (up to five years) contact/support with families. This activity will occur primarily within the family’s home. Interventions will be family-centered, strength-based, and directed at: establishing a trusting relationship; assisting in strengthening the parent-child relationship; assisting parents in improving their skills to optimize the home environment; improving the family support system; and increasing the family’s ability to solve problems and assume the role of advocating for themselves and their children. Activities also include identifying and referring to other supportive agencies, including health care appointments. The FSS/HV will also be responsible for assisting the family in establishing goals and a plan for accomplishment of those goals, as well as the assessment of the normal growth and development of the target child.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma/GED and one (1) year of experience in a support role providing coaching, mentoring or related job duties and knowledge of functional business area where training is to be provided.

Preferred Qualifications:
Post secondary education in childhood development/education.  Bilingual.   Experience working with or providing services to children and their families, with a demonstrated ability to establish trusting relationships. A strong acceptance of individual differences and possess the experience and humility required to effectively collaborate with culturally diverse families. A solid understanding of infant and child development is essential.

Other Qualifications

Additional Information:

The Southeast Health District (SEHD) encourages all employees to engage in regular wellness activities and to make lifestyle choices that promote health and well-being.

The use of wellness breaks during the workday is authorized to support this philosophy and assist employees in meeting their wellness goals.

A maximum of 30 minutes in a given workday may be used to engage in wellness activities, generally in the form of two 15-minute breaks or one 30-minute break.

Employment Information:

Current State employees are subject to State Personnel Board rules regarding salary.

Southeast Health District accepts educational credential recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or the US Department of Education (DOE) will be considered. SEHD will contact educational institutions to verify degree, diploma, licensure, etc.

The candidate selected for this position may be subject to pre-employment drug screening and a criminal background check.

As an employee of SEHD, in the event of an identified emergency you may be required, as a term and condition of employment, to assist in meeting the emergency responsibilities of the department.

SEHD is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring agency for next steps in the selection process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification

This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.

Applicant selected will be required to provide an “official” college transcript, if applicable.  The SEHD may contact education institutions to verify degree, diploma, licensure, etc.

Drug and Medical Screening may be required.   Fingerprint Criminal Records Investigation is required.

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