Family Support Worker ; Statewide

Main Purpose of Job

A Family Support Worker I is an intermediate level position providing in‑home support services that enable individuals to maintain independence and well‑being, preserve family structure, promote a functional home environment, and teach clients to use available community resources.

• Provide in‑home support services to enable individuals to maintain independence and well‑being and to promote and preserve family structure.
• Visit clients’ homes to identify needs and provide assistance for daily living, personal care, caregiving or parenting through teaching and demonstrating practical living skills (meal planning, household maintenance, laundry, shopping, positive parenting, caring for dependents, conflict resolution, interpersonal relationships, job readiness, locating and securing housing, household budgeting).
• Assess clients’ personal and living conditions in alignment with treatment or service plan goals to determine the need for behavioral change.
• Develop positive relationships with clients to gain acceptance of the In‑Home Care Plan and contribute to clients’ physical and emotional health.
• Encourage clients to use community resources and services such as child and adult support groups, food pantries, neighborhood service centers, and child or adult day care.
• Observe and record the behavior of children and adults, maintain behavior records, and make recommendations to the services team for potential plan modifications.
• Prepare reports for health‑care professionals, case managers or supervisors on clients’ physical conditions, social and physical environment, and services provided to assist the in‑home care team in developing, monitoring, and modifying the In‑Home Care Plan.
• Participate in team meetings with case managers, health‑care professionals and other persons involved in developing or modifying In‑Home Care Plans.
• Assist clients in obtaining transportation to medical appointments and community centers.
• Present parenting or job readiness subject matter to clients in structured training sessions and conduct in‑home follow‑up as required.
• Assist clients with personal care such as bathing, shampooing, dressing, feeding, or using a bedpan as needed.
• Provide temporary care of children or adults when the primary caregiver is absent.
• Oversee court‑ordered family visits, testify in court, or prepare a client for a court appearance as requested.
• Perform other related duties as directed.

• High‑school diploma or high‑school equivalency certificate.
• One year of experience providing support services to children or adults by teaching and demonstrating practical living skills to promote independent living or preserve family structure.
• Experience may be substituted for education on a year‑for‑year basis.
• Nine credit hours from an accredited college or university in a human services program (e.g., child development, sociology, social work, psychology, counseling, nursing, criminology, juvenile justice, human development, mental health) may substitute for the required experience on a year‑for‑year basis.
• U.S. Armed Forces military service as a non‑commissioned officer in Social Services classifications or Social Services specialty codes in Social Science, Psychology, or Welfare may substitute for the required experience on a year‑for‑year basis.

• For positions requiring motor‑vehicle operation, employees must possess a valid Maryland motor‑vehicle operator’s license.
• Some positions may require employees to obtain and maintain a Certified Nursing Assistant or Geriatric Nursing Assistant license from the Maryland Board of Nursing; obtaining this license may be a condition of appointment or probation.

• Employees working with families who have dependent children must complete an approved entry‑level training program before permanent appointment.
• Employees may be required to use a personal automobile to transport clients; appropriate vehicle insurance covering client transport must be provided prior to performance of transport duties. A standard mileage allowance will be paid for private vehicle use.

• Health insurance, dental, and vision plans offered at low cost.
• Personal leave: six (6) personnel days annually (prorated).
• Annual leave: ten (10) days per year.
• Sick leave: fifteen (15) days per year.
• Parental leave: up to sixty (60) days of paid leave upon birth or adoption of a child.
• Holidays: at least twelve (12) holidays per year.
• Pension:
  State employees earn credits toward a retirement pension.
• Positions may be eligible for telework.

As an equal‑opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who reflect the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank Veterans for their service to our country.