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School Based Family Specialist

Continued employment in this position is contingent upon funding provided through the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) and the school site's Title budget.

Position Summary:

The School-Based Family Specialist (SBFS) serves as the primary liaison between the school, families, community agencies, and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) to promote student success by addressing barriers that impact attendance, engagement, safety, and academic achievement. The SBFS connects students and families to public benefits, community resources, prevention services, and crisis intervention while providing ongoing case management and family support. This position collaborates with school staff, community partners, and OKDHS to strengthen families and improve student outcomes.

Essential Duties:

• Build positive relationships with students, families, school staff, community agencies, and OKDHS.
• Participate in enrollment events, family nights, open houses, and community outreach activities to increase awareness of available services.
• Assist eligible families with applications and renewals for public assistance programs, including SNAP, TANF, SoonerSelect, Medicaid, and other available benefits.
• Connect students and families with community resources including housing, transportation, food assistance, healthcare, mental health services, employment resources, and other basic needs.
• Conduct family needs assessments and provide ongoing case management to monitor progress and remove barriers to student success.
• Identify students and families who may be at risk due to attendance concerns, housing instability, safety concerns, economic hardship, or other factors affecting academic success.
• Develop individualized support plans and coordinate appropriate interventions and referrals.
• Assist school personnel with child welfare concerns by providing guidance regarding reporting procedures, documentation, and referrals when appropriate.
• Serve as the primary school liaison with OKDHS and other community service providers to coordinate services and improve access for families.
• Support development and implementation of school-based programs that strengthen families, improve student well-being, and increase family engagement.
• Provide crisis intervention, stabilization support, and referrals for families experiencing emergency situations.
• Assist families with employment readiness, workforce development resources, career planning, and financial stability supports.
• Maintain accurate documentation, case records, and reports in accordance with district, state, and federal confidentiality requirements.
• Attend required district and OKDHS trainings and participate in professional learning opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities):

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience working with children, families, or community organizations in education, human services, case management, customer service, or a related field.
• Ability to establish positive working relationships with students, families, school staff, and community partners.
• Knowledge of community resources and public assistance programs is preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive information.
• Ability to organize multiple tasks, maintain accurate records, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with school staff and external agencies.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to learn district and state software systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities):

• Associate's degree or bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Education, Counseling, or a related field
• Experience connecting individuals to community resources, public assistance programs, or social services

Physical/Mental Requirements:   

• Must have adequate manual dexterity to write legibly and perform required duties on the computer.
• Must have adequate visual acuity to read, interpret and transcribe written material and other required duties.
• Requires normal range of hearing and clear speaking abilities to interact appropriately with others in person and on the telephone.
• Physical agility, able to bend, stoop, sit on the floor, walk, reach and climb stairs.
• Requires some stooping, bending, stretching and occasional lifting not to exceed 25 pounds.
• Sitting for prolonged periods of time.
• May periodically require work outside of normal business hours, including weekends, under sometimes. stressful conditions in order to meet business needs and strict deadlines.

 Work Environment:  

• Office duties will be performed in a well-lighted, climate controlled environment.   

Reports To: Principal

FSLA Status: Non-Exempt

Compensation: 813

Work Days:      181

FTE: 100
 

 This job description is not intended to be all inclusive. The employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by the supervisor or appropriate administrator.  Oklahoma City Public Schools reserves the right to, update, revise or change job duties as the need prevails. This document is for communication only and not intended to imply a written or implied contract of employment. The Board of Education and Superintendent may approve alternatives to the listed qualifications.