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Job Description
Position Title: Bridges to Opportunity Family Support Specialist
Job Classification: Regular, Full-Time
FLSA Status:Non-Exempt
Reports to: Bridges to Opportunity Program Director
Revision Date: 07/21/2025
Rate: Base rate of $18.00 per hour; Wage negotiable based on education and experience.
For more information and to complete an application please go towww.GrowingUpNM.org, call 505-216-2972, or visit us at 440 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM.
Growing Up NM provides a very comprehensive total compensation package including a great work environment, competitive salaries and benefits including those listed below.
PTO
Medical, Dental, Vision Insurances
Employer Paid Short-term disability.
Employer Paid Group Term Life and AD&D Insurance
Dependent Life Insurance
Employer Matched Retirement Plan (403b)
10 Paid Holidays
Bilingual Differential (5%)
Sign-on Bonus
Summary
Growing Up New Mexico is growing and hiring a family support specialist for our program: Bridges to Opportunity. The Bridges to Opportunity Family Support Specialist (FSS) is part of a team that supports family access to opportunities and resources to accomplish short- and long-term goals that focus on the health and well-being of the entire family. Through a coaching process, the FSS works with families, identifying their goals, connecting them to resources and supports to achieve those goals and focusing equally on parents and children to meet family goals.
The FSS responds to crisis situations, as they arise, and supports other members on the team to respond quickly and appropriately to family crises. The FSS works as part of a team, participating in team meetings, reflective supervision, and training.
Employees of Growing Up NM enjoy a competitive salary and complete benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and 403(b)7 retirement plan.
Growing Up New Mexico is a 501(c)3 organization located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Inherent in our mission are guiding principles that center on the belief that all families are capable of success if given the right opportunities and resources at the right time. The focus of our work is to demonstrate and implement effective and proven early childhood and family support strategies, prenatal to age five, focused on quality, equity, and access. Growing Up NM utilizes two parallel, mutually informed strategies in all we do: a local programmatic approach and a state-wide policy approach, with each continually informing the other.
Key Areas of Responsibility:
Work in partnership with all Growing Up New Mexico staff to ensure that families’ needs are met, within the parameters of the Multi-Generational (Multi-Gen) model and approach.
Communicate effectively and regularly with supervisors, other Family Support Specialists, home visitors, Escalones and PreK staff.
Make referrals to programs and services, providing appropriate level of support to ensure successful referral. Provide follow-up as needed.
Support families using multi-Gen principles of active listening, coaching, resource connections and focusing on short- and long-term goals.
Work in conjunction with Bridges to Opportunity Director to assign referrals, as they are received.
Track all family contact and referrals in the Unite Us database, maintain accurate records and track all information in accordance with agency and funder requirements.
Be available to participate in outreach events/activities in our service areas to connect with families.
Perform within the prescribed limits of Growing Up New Mexico's ethics and compliance policies.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
High school diploma or equivalency plus 3–5-years' experience in Early Childhood Education, Social Services, or related fields is preferred.
Experience working with populations served by Growing Up New Mexico to include children ages 0-5, pregnant mothers and families representing a wide range of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds preferred.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) required, proficiency with reading, writing, and speaking.
Ability to maintain accurate and current records and correspondence using both paper and electronic files.
Excellent interpersonal communication skills
Ability to problem-solve, identify alternatives, connect families to local resources, work through difficult issues with agencies and individuals in an effective manner that results in a positive outcome.
Ability to pass a mandatory background clearance required of all early childhood workers in the State of New Mexico.
Reliable transportation with valid New Mexico driver's license, current automobile registration and proof of auto insurance.
Ability to work well in culturally diverse settings, which includes knowledge of local population served.
Ability to work non-traditional hours to meet families at times that are convenient for them.
Ability to work independently and within a team setting.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, drive, sit for extended periods of time and use computer equipment and cell phones. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must be able to lift 40 pounds. Due to the home-based model of services, the employee is required to work in participant families' homes and community resource agencies and businesses. Extensive local travel is required, and occasional long-distance travel may be required for training purposes.