Program Support Specialist

Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest is a non-profit organization with Corporate Offices in Phoenix and Tucson and additional offices throughout Arizona.
Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest administers programs and services to help build collaborative Community Partnerships and strengthen individuals, families, and communities.
Working for our organization is a positive, challenging and rewarding experience with opportunities for personal and professional development.
Exempt: Non-Exempt Base Wage: $21.00 per hour Reports to: Program Supervisor Department: Children and Family Services Program: Foster Care Location: Phoenix, Arizona Position Type: Regular Date Reviewed: May 2024 General Description: In concert with the Supervisor, this position performs a variety of general support tasks and activities to implement the objectives of Children and Family Services department. The position provides program support by working collaboratively with staff, community providers and clients. This position will actively participate in recruitment activities and community engagement to help identify and develop relationships with prospective foster parents, kinship caregivers and/or adoptive parents. This position coordinates referrals and service authorizations in accordance with contract and licensing standards, state laws and regulatory requirements. Requires the ability to take initiative to ensure productivity, organization, and completion of assignments efficiently and within established time frames. The job requires sensitivity to the program population's cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following: WEIGHT DESCRIPTION 15 Office Support
1. Clerical assistance with correspondence, scheduling meetings, report summaries and general copying
2. Data tracking and billing preparation, filing and assisting in gathering and preparing program materials for presentations.
3. Support, coordinate and maintain Department programmatic supplies/ materials and equipment inventory (example: vehicle maintenance)
60 Direct Services Support
1. Accept referrals and service authorizations in accordance with contract and licensing standards, state laws and regulatory requirements.
2. Schedule initial home visits and assign new cases to the Foster Care and Adoption Specialist staff.
3. Prepare and maintain accurate and complete client files, program forms, policies and procedures.
4. Sends communication to foster parents, kinship caregivers and/or adoptive parents with program updates/communication as well as community resources and training available.
5. Inputs client data into required LSS-SW and State software applications.
6. Assist with monthly billing documents and authorization for payments.
10 Participate in team meetings and/or individual supervision to review ongoing family issues to ensure families meet the statement of need. Develop and maintain
relationships with collaborating agencies, local communities and congregations. Attend area coalition meetings; represent LSS-SW in public relations, educational and professional situations. Assist in coordinating special events (i.e. Parent Appreciation and Family Fun Events). Assist with the development of written materials for families (i.e. handbook, brochures).
5 Provide excellent customer service and exhibit respectful, professional conduct in all communications, including in-person, written, and via technology. This includes good working communication with funders and community partners; the ability to set appropriate professional boundaries; to respond to and manage conflict that may arise; and to maintain a positive, customer-oriented attitude at all times.
5 Maintain an established work schedule, including a high level of self-direction and responsibility. May include travel throughout the State of Arizona and overnight stay. Occasional driving in personal and/or agency vehicle to satellite offices, job fairs, off-site meetings in surrounding counties. Attend regional conferences out of state. Flexible schedule to meet work, program and project deadlines.
2.5 Present and model a professional attitude, respect cultural and ethnic differences and wear professional attire at all times.
2.5 Perform other duties as assigned to meet program needs.
Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
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Minimum of a High School Diploma or GED.
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One year experience in the Human Services field working with children, families, and or adults preferred.
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Must be at least 21 years of age.
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Provide and maintain a current Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card, clear the Department of Economic Security Central Registry Background Check and a criminal background and motor vehicle screening; must maintain valid AZ Driver's License, a clear driving record and reliable transportation for the duration of employment.
•Clean drug testing records including pre-employment drug testing results and random annual drug testing results.
•Must show proof of freedom from TB before client contact.
•Obtain training as required by ADCS and DDD within 30 days of hire.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: • Proficient computer skills and knowledge of Outlook and Microsoft Office Programs (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Skills in English/ Spanish composition, grammar, spelling and punctuation.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
• Ability to relate well with families of varied lifestyles, backgrounds and ethnicities.
• Experience in cultural diversity.
• Ability to assess family's strengths and weaknesses.
• Ability to recognize signs of abuse/neglect.
• Ability to participate as a member of a team, including collaboration, cross-training, and mutual assistance.
• Participate in ongoing Professional Development Training. Training must be relevant to position
• Ability to work independently with high initiative.
• Ability to travel to throughout the state and provide own transportation as requested by the Supervisor.
Language Skills: Bilingual English/Spanish preferred. Ability to communicate clearly. Ability to listen and perceive need, working with people from diverse backgrounds non-judgmentally. Ability to effectively present and represent LSS-SW and the program's needs to religious and community groups as well as others in the social services community.
Mathematical Skills: Good ability to calculate figures.
Reasoning Abilities: Ability to define problems, collect data, evaluate information, draw conclusions, and take appropriate action based on this information. Ability and confidence to make decisions when appropriate and when to solicit guidance from the Program Manager.
Physical Demands/Work Environment: Ability to define problems, collect data, evaluate information, draw conclusions, and take appropriate action based on this information. Ability and confidence to make decisions when appropriate and when to solicit guidance from the Program Manager.
Physical Demands/Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment characteristics here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to sit or stand for long periods of time.
• The employee frequently is required to use hands to hold objects and operate office equipment.
• The employee is required to be able to listen and communicate effectively.
• The employee may be required to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment varies with the activity level of the facility.
• Maintain valid AZ Driver License, vehicle insurance and reliable transportation.
• Ability to work within mission of LSS-SW.
All positions at Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest require a background check.
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