Position Title: Supervised Visitation Program Associate
Employment Status: Hourly, non-exempt
Starting Wage: $19 per hour
Benefits: Generous benefits package including 401K plan, paid sick leave, professional development, flexible work schedule and, dependent upon FTE status, paid holidays and wellness stipend.
Regular Work Schedule: 15-20 hours per week, primarily evenings and Saturdays
Location: In-person/hybrid
Reports to: Supervised Visitation Program Manager
Supervises: Volunteer visit supervisors as needed
About the WDRC: The Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization serving the people of Whatcom County since 1992. Our vision is for Whatcom County to be a community in which people approach conflict in creative and healthy ways.
Working Conditions: The WDRC continually strives to provide a supportive, healthy, and productive work environment. Every staff member plays an active role in contributing positively to our organizational culture. Staff serve the public through a variety of programming both onsite and in public and private spaces. Given the nature of the WDRC’s mission and services, the possibility of exposure to escalated emotion and offensive language from the public exists. The WDRC expects staff to respond to these instances with diplomacy, tact, and compassion.
Position Description: The Supervised Visitation (SV) Program provides a safe structure and welcoming environment for non-residential parents to visit their children when court orders otherwise prohibit contact. Working in partnership with Whatcom County Superior Court and volunteers, the SV program provides a temporary means for parents and children to maintain a connection and relationship. The Supervised Visitation Program Associate is primarily responsible for supervising visits, supporting volunteer supervisors, and providing administrative assistance to the SV Program Manager. This position is contingent upon the continuation of contract funding.
An ideal candidate will demonstrate an aptitude for sensitively working with families, excellent communication skills, personal boundaries, and ease maintaining program records. The SV Program Associate primarily performs direct service with some administrative tasks. A spirit of teamwork and dedication to providing families the highest quality of service is expected. The Associate will attend weekly SV team meetings and WDRC staff meetings. The position will be stationed primarily at a nearby offsite location and will also support supervised visits conducted over Zoom. There may be opportunities to work remotely.
Essential Responsibilities:
● Adhere to and implement program policies and procedures
● Ensure a welcoming and safe environment for visits
● Manage risk and assess and ensure safety
● Supervise weekly visits independently
● Provide primary staff support for Saturday visits
● Support volunteer Visit Supervisors with visits, both in-person at the center, and virtually
● Attend weekly (daytime) Supervised Visitation team meetings
● Provide updates of families served and volunteer supports needed
● Administrative duties (database, phone, email, filing, word processing, data entry)
Required Skills and Experience
● AA degree or combination of GED/High school diploma and commensurate experience
● Ability to work in-person at Bellingham location and remotely as necessary
● Experience supporting families or individuals, particularly those in crisis
● Strong listening skills and ability to process and synthesize large amounts of information from people who often are emotionally escalated
● Strong written and verbal communication skills, including ability to communicate with empathy, compassion, and brevity
● Ability to remain neutral and nonjudgmental with exceptional professional boundaries
● Knowledge of privacy practices and ability to maintain confidential client information
● Ability to work successfully independently as well as in a collaborative environment
● Ability to exercise sound judgment at all times
● Observant, diplomatic, and tactfully assertive, with ability to convey clear boundaries
● Highly organized and capable of following a tight schedule
● Flexibility and ability to adapt to dynamic circumstances and handle complex, stressful situations
● Patience and a sense of humor
● Ability to enact WDRC values and to work collaboratively with other staff to advance the WDRC mission and contribute actively to shared responsibilities
● High proficiency with Zoom, Microsoft Word and Excel, G-Suite applications
● Must pass all required background checks, including Washington State Patrol and National Sex Offender Registry
● Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs./pick up a toddler, if necessary
● Ability to contribute to other shared staff responsibilities
● Must have a vehicle or access to consistent and reliable transportation to ensure timely transport from WDRC main office to visitation location.
Preferable skills
● Supervised visitation experience
● Case management experience
● Bilingual in Spanish
How to apply: Submit Resume with 3 Professional References AND Cover Letter. Please ensure one of your references is someone who has supervised you in a professional capacity. Application materials should be emailed Jaina@whatcomdrc.org with the job title in the subject line header. Open until filled.
