Direct Support Technician
Bilingual Family Support Partner

The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. About one-quarter square miles in the city have been designated as a national or local historic district. We proudly embrace our rich history and seize the endless opportunities that lie ahead. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Direct Support Technician position.

An Overview
The Direct Support Technician will provide direct parent-to-parent support and advocacy in Spanish and English with families who have a child(ren) with emotional, developmental, behavioral, substance abuse or mental health challenges. They will create the conditions for families to thrive in the home, school, and community through best practice interventions that include sharing and modeling relevant personal experience and mentoring. The Direct Support Technician will partner with parents/guardians to successfully navigate the child-serving systems, access treatment and provide linkage to community resources. They will promote positive parenting through empowerment and strengths-based approach. The Direct Support Technician will promote family engagement and family-driven decision making in High Fidelity Wraparound planning process. Tasks are performed in accordance with established policies and procedures.

What You Should Bring
The ideal candidate should have the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing; Knowledge and understanding of the needs of families with children, who have emotional, behavioral and/or substance abuse challenges; Ability to provide outreach within the community; Ability to advocate for parents within the System of Care; Ability to work effectively with parents, youth, community leaders and professionals; Ability to work effectively with a multidisciplinary team and demonstrate professional performance by applying ethical, legal, and professional standards to enhance self-awareness and performance.

The Opportunity

• Help families identify and articulate strengths, needs, barriers, and goals in support of family-driven and youth-focused services;
• Support families to accomplish goals identified in High Fidelity Wraparound plans;
• Conduct culturally sensitive individual or group skill building sessions with families with children with serious emotional, behavioral and/or substance use problems;
• Provide families with information related to parenting, mental health, substance abuse, service navigation and community resources;
• Model appropriate shared lived experiences as a family member;
• Foster cooperation and collaboration with established formal and informal family supports and community partners;
• Model and help families develop self-care practices, stress reduction techniques and organizational skills;
• Advocate with families and help them acquire knowledge and skills that promote self-advocacy and self-efficacy;
• Maintain electronic medical records in accordance with accreditation body, Department policies, licensing and Medicaid regulations;
• Follow department policies and procedures, including those related to productivity expectations, client payment issues and training; and
• Perform related work as required.

About the Department
The Center for Children and Families (CCF) provides programs and services for Behavioral Health, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, Child Welfare & Child Protective Services, Early Childhood and Youth Development. CCF provides compassionate, collaborative and effective person and family-centered services based on best practices. Our teams support self-determination, safety, recovery and resiliency for Alexandria children and all residents affected by abuse, neglect, mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance abuse disorders.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

High School Diploma or GED; At least one year of specialized training in psychology, rehabilitation, a vocational specialty or related human service field; At least one year of experience working with clients in vocational placement or training; and possession of a valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications

Must be fluent and bilingual in both English and Spanish to meet the needs of population served. Must have personal (or lived) experience with a child in your care with a mental health disorder or substance use disorders, or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders; Must have the availability to work a flexible schedule, including combination of days, evenings and weekends; Must be able to work towards certification for Certified Parent Support Partner (CPSP). At least one year of experience working with youth who have emotional, behavioral and/or substance use problems. At least one year of experience engaging, building and maintaining collaborative relationships with diverse populations. At least one year of experience leading or actively participating in parent workshops, support groups and/or educational groups. Ability to engage, build and maintain relationships with diverse populations. At least one experience providing parenting skills training and/or parenting education. At least one year of experience in case management and knowledge of community resources.

Notes

This advertisement will close on the above mentioned date or once 125 applications have been received, whichever comes first.

This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks including but not limited to: FBI/Federal Records Check; VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry; Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database; education/certifications; and driver's license.

Schedule:
Monday - Friday, Flexible to meet client and employee needs, with some evenings and possible early mornings or weekend days.