Family Empowerment Coordinator

Who is JFS? Jewish Family Services (JFS) employs a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach in supporting and strengthening lives throughout Greater Kansas City. We provide essential human services for people facing challenges in everyday life or times of crisis regardless of faith, age, culture, or lifestyle. Our highly skilled and compassionate staff are dedicated to preserving the well-being, comfort, and dignity of others, always respecting the confidentiality of our clients. JFS proudly serves more than 10,000 people annually, more than half of whom are not Jewish. JFS provides a breadth of related services, with the goal of helping people in difficult times get back on their own feet. Our service areas include KesherKC (social services and food pantry), Older Adult Services, Mental Health and Education, and Jewish Life including Chaplaincy.

Position Summary: The Family Empowerment Coordinator works intensively for up to 18 months with families referred by the Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) to promote housing stability and educational attainment. This work together may include referrals to internal or external services, financial support and/or consultation, and other supports as identified by the family. The goal is to empower families toward a more secure future, which may include housing stability, increased income, access to public benefits, and school attendance. This position will include working at both JFS offices (MO & KS), remotely, with clients in their homes, and at various community outreach and partner events. This position is included under the KesherKC umbrella. The word ‘Kesher’ comes from the Hebrew word for “connection.” 

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Essential Duties:

• Implement innovative, best practices to support low-income clients in improving their financial lives and overall wellness
• Work directly with clients on intake, assessment, case management, spending plans, goal-setting, problem-solving, and providing appropriate referrals to service providers internally and externally to support goals
• Implement client-centered, trauma-informed interventions with clients
• Coordinate and partner with allied agency programs and resources
• Document all participant services in accordance with agency procedure and policy
• Enter client interactions and documentation into appropriate databases in an accurate & timely manner

The Right Candidate Is/Has:

• Able to work independently
• Able to maintain confidentiality
• Highly organized & efficient
• Able to work comfortably and effectively with all staff and clients
• Able to adapt to an ever-changing environment
• Effective communication skills
• Professional phone and email etiquette
• Able to multi-task 
• Able to promote and enable warm, supportive, collaborative, ongoing relationships with clients accessing services 
• Able to implement client-centered, trauma-informed, stage-based interventions with families
• Able to connect and collaborate internally with teams and with other relevant community organizations and resources        
• Able to provide a professional presence   
• Good judgment and effective problem-solving skills
• Valid vehicle insurance and driver’s license

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in social work or other relevant disciplines
• One year of experience in a social work or related position
• Proven experience with best practices in support of low-income families
• Proven strong engagement, assessment, problem-solving, motivational, collaboration, and planning skills
• Knowledge of, and experience with, community resources and income supports
• Strong technology skills including MS Office, internet browsers, and utilization of electronic client databases

Benefits Include:

• Choice of 3 BCBSKC Insurance Plans
• Dental & Vision Insurance
• Group Life/AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Short- & Long-Term Disability
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending
• Employee Assistance Program
• Accrue up to 3 weeks PTO in the First Year
• Start with up to 3 Floating Holidays
• Up to 3 weeks of Paid Holidays
• 401k Plan with Employer Match
• Free Parking
• Great Culture
• Fun Employee Events
• Casual Dress

Guiding Principles: JFS is guided by five principles that inform how we engage with each other and the community we serve. The right candidate will be in alignment with these values:

1. B’Yachad - Stronger Together: We are stronger as an agency and a community when we think, work, and serve together.
2. Being Human-Centered: We put the human experience and perspective at the center of our thinking, programming, services, and interactions.
3. Collaboration: We actively seek partnering opportunities within JFS and throughout our community.
4. Innovation & Entrepreneurship: We respond and continually adapt to ongoing needs and changes in the Greater Kansas City area.
5. Open Communication: We communicate openly, honestly, and in a solution-oriented manner.

EEO: Jewish Family Services is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and organizational need, and all applicants will be considered for employment with dignity and respect, free of all discrimination, including that which is based on race, color, religion, gender, language, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression.