Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Classification: Non-Exempt

Reports to: Senior Program Director

Location: Bronx, NY

Status & Hours: This is a full-time position with a variable schedule based on the needs of clients. This will involve flexible evening hours. Lantern staff may be asked to change work schedule and hours depending on the operational needs of the site and the agency.

Compensation: $27.47 - $32.96

Who We Are: Lantern Community Services helps New Yorkers impacted by homelessness move from surviving to thriving by pairing safe, supportive housing with wraparound services that build lasting stability and independence. If you believe a steady home can be the start of everything else, you’ll fit right in with our mission-first team. Lantern was also recognized as a Top 2025 Workplace by City & State New York —a great place to do meaningful work with people who care!

Where You Will Work: Mott Haven Section

About The Role:

The Family Specialist has the lead responsibility for integrating family goals and services with the tasks of all team members and for providing family psychoeducation individually and in groups. They are also responsible for assisting with the planning, organizing and enrollment into education services for children living with their parents in residential sites. The Family Specialist must have the ability to develop trusting relationships with knowledge of child development and also assist parents with locating supportive resources for the families and coordinating educational opportunities for their children. The Family Specialist will work as a member of an interdisciplinary team in supportive housing serving individuals impacted by chronic medical conditions including HIV and AIDS as well as serious mental illness and substance abuse disorder.

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• In coordination with the Senior Case Manager, ensure families have access to high quality community health, mental health and substance use services.
• Build partnerships with parents and families to ensure that children receive well matched educational services as well as any needed support or intervention services.
• Assist with the transition of children to Pre-K, Kindergarten, Middle School and High School and help parents with completing the school application process.
• Support families through the application process for college-bound youth or those seeking vocational or trade training.
• Attend school meetings such as IEP and parent teacher night when needed.
• Design and implement workshops for parents including those that develop parenting skills, promote better relationships and empower families to participate as active members of the community.
• Participates in community initiatives to develop and maintain relationships and identify families for participation.
• Participate in meetings with social services staff to coordinate services and generate ideas to support families and their children.
• Attend trainings and staff meetings, as required.
• Document all client work in confidential electronic records.
• Complete reports as directed by supervisor.
• Perform other job-related duties, as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited school with a minimum of 2 years' experience providing education or social services to families is required.
• Experience working for the New York City Department of Education or Educational Programs preferred.
• Experience advocating for families.
• Must have strong interpersonal and communication skills, including excellent writing ability, demonstrated organizational skills and the ability to perform complex tasks with limited supervision.
• Must have strong computer skills in Microsoft Office & Zoom.
• Preferred. Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, mental health, substance use or chronically homelessness
• Preferred. Some knowledge and experience in working with early childhood mental health and adult disability services.

Work Environment: This job operates in a supportive housing site and works with a population who may experience mental illness, substance use, disability, HIV/AIDS, and other chronic illnesses.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, climb stairs and/ or kneel. Occasionally the employee will have to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Note: Lantern Community Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Lantern Community Services (Lantern) values the diversity of all our clients, staff, Board of Directors, and partners. By bringing diverse individuals and viewpoints together, we create more vibrant, healthy, and just communities.

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