SAFE Washington is now hiring for the position of Statewide Parent Coordinator

Background

The Statewide Action for Family Empowerment of Washington (SAFE WA) is a family and youth-run non-profit organization. SAFE WA was formed to fill statewide advocacy, training and technical assistance needs for families of children/youth and professionals interested in strengths-based, family centered community services. SAFE WA is a committed partner to system transformation and providing family voice to design and run the systems that serve them. SAFE WA network member organizations provide direct support to families and youth. These supports include but are not limited to emotional support, mentoring, assistance with system navigation, attending meetings and court proceedings with families, training, and information. SAFE WA provides supports such technical assistance, training, mentoring parent leaders, and problem solving to its network members. SAFE WA also assists member organizations in sustaining and expanding their local networks through mentoring, networking opportunities and financial support for training. SAFE WA's vision statement is, "United Voices." The mission statement reads, "The Statewide Action for Family Empowerment of Washington is the united voice of families who have minor children with complex needs that agrees to work together to recruit families, mentoring them and encouraging collaboration and organizing networks that will support and advocate for stronger, healthier families."

Organization Goals

• Strengthening, supporting, and sustaining the SAFE WA Network
• Expand SAFE WA Network
• Enhance recruitment, training, and retention of SAFE WA Network organizations
• Support and facilitate the work of SAFE WA which is dedicated to improving services to families.
• Advocate for system change that is advantageous for families and youth.

Responsibilities

The Parent Coordinator is responsible to provide technical assistance and support to our network members, partners and the service delivery system and to mentor the diverse range of families whose children struggle with mental, emotional and behavioral challenges.  To look for and respond to opportunities to increase parent to parent support and family voice in system transformation initiatives in the state of Washington while supporting our mission and charter. Duties include, but may not be limited to:

• Represent SAFE at meetings/on committees
• Recruit families for focus groups, meetings, committees, etc
• Outreach/recruitment of partners and networks
• Coordinate Network/Partner and other meetings, to include printing materials and other duties
• Coordinate staff meetings
• Marketing
• Coordinate and staff retreats and trainings
• Arrange travel, accommodations, for conferences, meetings, etc
• Distribute materials at meetings, electronically and by mail
• Communication notices
• Provide technical assistance to networks, partners and parents/caregivers by phone, electronically, and/or in person
• Collect Data of various types
• Maintain comprehensive and up-to-date records and files to ensure accurate and timely information regarding contract deliverables and projects to insure quality
• Prepare correspondence, organize and evaluate data, write reports, produce fiscal documents
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with network members/partners, affiliates, staff and the Executive Director to ensure coordination of effort

Experience

• Parent support group and wraparound team facilitation
• Parenting a child or youth with mental health issues
• Navigating child-serving systems
• Provision of parent to parent or peer support
• Public speaking, conference presentation, trainer
• Mentoring emerging parent leaders
• Providing outreach and working with diverse and underserved populations

Knowledge

• Parent-driven support group facilitation
• Parent and family group/organization development
• Parent to parent support and the role of parent partners
• Wraparound process including its values and principles
• Working knowledge of Washington State’s publicly funded mental health system
• Children's and Juvenile Rehabilitation Administrations
• Special Education Regulations
• Systems of care values and principles
• Resiliency and/or recovery models
• Development of informal and natural support systems
• Cultural competency
• Strength-based philosophy
• Evidence-based practices
• Basic elements of program evaluation

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated success in developing & supporting innovative collaborative projects/new initiatives
• Minimum of three years experience in working for a family organization or working in an integrated parent peer support role within a facility
• Proficiency with MS Office software Word, Excel, power point & publisher at an intermediate level
• Must provide own office space and office equipment
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Ability to master and track many details while remaining organized
• Ability to exercise independent judgment within a team environment
• Ability to work with individuals and groups in a collaborative style with respect for diversity
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Valid Washington driver’s license, proof of current automobile insurance
• Be available some evenings and weekends with the ability to travel statewide and nationally.

Additional Desired Qualifications

• A parent/caregiver of a child who struggles with mental, emotional and behavioral challenges
• Three years experience administration or project management in a family organization or working in an integrated parent peer support role within a facility
• Related experience included statewide exposure

Salary Range

This position is a permanent part-time hourly position of 20 hours per week; it is one half of an FTE to be shared with Parent Program Director. The hours may have to potential to increase depending on funding, activities and shared work load.  Beginning salary is $14-$16 per hour depending on qualifications.

Application Process

Application Deadline: June 11, 2008

Please send resume, cover letter and abstract that includes the following:  Statement of qualifications - Provide a definitive statement of qualifications.  This must describe in detail the strengths and qualifications that specifically meet the details of this position. Length: 3 pages maximum.

Relevant Experiences - Provide a summary of relevant experiences over the last 5 years explaining how your experience can be utilized to successfully perform the duties of the position and meet project goals. Include your experience if any, of raising a child with an emotional, behavioral, or mental disorder.Length 3 pages maximum.

References - Provide a list of 5 references of which 3 must be past supervisors or contract managers. Include contact name, address, telephone number, email address and nature of the job, length of engagement, and compensation if applicable.

Electronic submission (preferable method) instructions: Email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Add cc to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Subject line should say “Parent Coordinator Position.” 

Or, mail to: SAFE WAPMB 16117404 Meridian Ave E, Puyallup, WA 98375 Suite F

Hiring Process Timeline

5/22/08 - Position to be posted.

5/22/08 - Begin forming hiring committee per policies and procedures manual.

6/11/08 - Position closed all applications must be received by this deadline.

6/12/08 - All applications will be screened by the Executive Director & forwarded to the hiring committee for review.

6/19/08 - Hiring committee will convene and applicants will be interviewed (SAFE WA will pay for necessary travel expenses of the applicant) interviews will occur at a location to be announced in either Tacoma or Seatac area.

Duties to begin as soon as selected candidate is available but no later than July 7, 2008.