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 workplace 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 Rochester 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 community impact, employees are empowered to make meaningful contributions while growing in their careers. Join us in making a difference for families and children in our community, all while enjoying flexible scheduling and generous time off.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Advocate/Social Worker - Family Resource Center in Rochester
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Before your interview, dive into Family Service Rochester's mission and values. This will help you connect your passion for supporting families with their goals, showing them you're a perfect fit.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've supported families or worked in kinship care. We want to hear about your experiences and how they relate to the role of a Family Advocate.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn to get insider tips about the team and culture. This can give you an edge in understanding what they value most in a candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Family Resource Center team.
We think you need these skills to ace Family Advocate/Social Worker - Family Resource Center in Rochester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully:Before you dive into your application, take a moment to really soak in the job description. It’s packed with info about what we’re looking for and how you can shine in your application.
Show Your Passion:We want to see your enthusiasm for supporting families and children. Make sure to weave in your personal experiences or motivations that align with our mission in your cover letter.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the role of Family Advocate. We love seeing how you connect your background to what we do.
Apply Through Our Website:When you’re ready to submit your application, make sure to do it through our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Family Service Rochester
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the role of a Family Advocate and the specific needs of kinship families. Familiarise yourself with the services offered by Family Service Rochester and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission.
✨Show Your Compassion
This role is all about supporting families and caregivers, so be prepared to share examples of how you've demonstrated compassion in your previous work. Think of specific situations where you made a positive impact on someone's life, especially in challenging circumstances.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions that show your interest in the role and the organisation. Ask about their approach to community partnerships or how they measure the success of their programmes for families.
✨Highlight Your Team Spirit
Collaboration is key in this role, so be ready to discuss your experience working in multidisciplinary teams. Share examples of how you've effectively communicated and built relationships with diverse individuals and organisations to achieve common goals.
