At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families and caregivers, empowering them with resources and services for child well-being.
- Company: Family Service Rochester, a community-focused organisation dedicated to family support.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, health insurance, flexible scheduling, and generous PTO.
- Other info: Join a supportive team that values collaboration and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of families and children in your community.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in human services and experience with families preferred.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
Family Service Rochester is seeking a compassionate, community-focused Family Advocate to join our Family Resource Center (FRC) team in a full-time role. This position is ideal for someone passionate about strengthening families, supporting caregivers, and helping children thrive in safe, stable, and nurturing environments — including children being raised in kinship care arrangements.
As a Family Advocate, you will help plan, coordinate, and deliver programs and services that empower families and promote child and family well-being. You will collaborate closely with families, kinship caregivers, community partners, stakeholders, and service providers to ensure families receive meaningful, accessible, and coordinated support. This role includes supporting grandparents, relatives, and other caregivers who are raising children through kinship care arrangements by helping them navigate systems, access resources, build support networks, and strengthen family stability.
Your work will focus on:
- Connecting families and kinship caregivers with concrete resources and supportive services
- Strengthening parental and caregiver resilience and healthy social connections
- Supporting caregivers in developing parenting skills and child development knowledge
- Promoting the social and emotional well-being of children
- Helping kinship families navigate community systems and reduce barriers to support
Key Responsibilities
- Provide direct support services, including person- and family-centered needs assessments, active listening, referrals, advocacy, and warm handoffs to community resources
- Support kinship caregivers by helping them identify and access financial, educational, social, and emotional supports available within the community
- Collaborate with community agencies and stakeholders to coordinate services for children and families, including families caring for children in kinship care arrangements
- Maintain working knowledge of county and community service systems, policies, procedures, and applicable statutes related to child and family services
- Partner with community organizations and the Family Advisory Board (FAB) to support Family Resource Center operations, service delivery, logistics, and outreach efforts
- Facilitate meetings and community conversations to identify local needs, gather feedback, and support the development of programs and services that reflect community priorities
- Help create welcoming, strengths-based spaces where caregivers and families feel supported, respected, and connected
Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree in a human services-related field
- 1–3 years of experience working with children and families in child welfare, human services, kinship care, family support, or a related setting preferred
- Minnesota Social Work licensure (or eligibility for licensure) preferred
What We’re Looking For
- Works effectively with diverse individuals, caregivers, and families
- Understands the unique strengths and challenges experienced by kinship families
- Demonstrates excellent communication, advocacy, and relationship-building skills
- Is comfortable working independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
- Has experience with crisis intervention and trauma-informed care
- Understands how mental health and chemical health challenges can impact family stability and access to resources
- Values collaboration, equity, and community partnership
- Possesses strong computer skills
- Bilingual abilities are a plus
Why Join FSR?
At Family Service Rochester, we are committed to creating a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive workplace where all identities are welcomed and valued. We believe meaningful partnerships begin with listening, respect, shared power, and recognizing the strengths in every person and family we serve. We offer:
- Competitive compensation
- Comprehensive health insurance
- Company-paid life and disability insurance
- 5% retirement contribution match
- Continuing education and professional development opportunities
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) resources
- Flexible scheduling
- 4½ weeks of PTO starting accrual
- 11½ paid holidays annually
Our culture emphasizes learning, growth, and employee voice. Staff regularly engage with senior leadership to share ideas, feedback, and innovation. We believe our employees are our greatest asset, and we are proud to foster an environment where people can grow professionally while making a meaningful difference in the community. If you are passionate about supporting families, advocating alongside caregivers, and strengthening the well-being of children and kinship families in our community, we encourage you to apply.
Family Advocate/Social Worker - Family Resource Center in Maidstone employer: Family Service Rochester
Family Service Rochester is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment where every employee's voice is valued. With a strong commitment to professional development, competitive benefits, and a culture that prioritises learning and growth, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the community while supporting families and caregivers. Located in a vibrant community, this role offers unique opportunities to connect with diverse individuals and contribute to the well-being of children and kinship families.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Advocate/Social Worker - Family Resource Center in Maidstone
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your community, especially those connected to family services. Attend local events or workshops where you can meet potential colleagues and learn more about the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, share your personal experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to supporting families and children. It makes a real difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared for situational questions! Think about scenarios you might face as a Family Advocate and how you'd handle them. This shows you're ready to tackle the challenges head-on and have the skills needed for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Family Service Rochester.
We think you need these skills to ace Family Advocate/Social Worker - Family Resource Center in Maidstone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for supporting families and children shine through. We want to see how your values align with our mission at Family Service Rochester.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in child welfare or kinship care. We’re looking for candidates who understand the unique challenges faced by families, so be specific about how your background fits the role.
Be Person-Centred:Use your application to demonstrate your person-centred approach. Share examples of how you've actively listened and advocated for families in your previous roles, as this is key to what we do.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity to join our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Family Service Rochester
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of a Family Advocate. Familiarise yourself with kinship care arrangements and the specific challenges these families face. This will help you demonstrate your understanding and passion for the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be ready to share specific examples from your past work that highlight your experience with children and families. Think about times when you’ve successfully navigated community resources or supported caregivers. Concrete stories will make your application memorable.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves working closely with various stakeholders, be prepared to discuss your teamwork experiences. Highlight instances where you’ve collaborated with community partners or facilitated meetings to address local needs. This shows you value partnership and community engagement.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the Family Resource Center’s current initiatives or how they measure success in supporting families. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the organisation aligns with your values.
