Family support specialist jobs in Fort Myers, FL - 199 jobs

The Better Together team seeks a Family Support Specialist to serve on the Strike Team and provide direct, hands-on support to families during deployments. The Better Together STRIKE - Special Tactical Reserve for Key Emergencies - Team provides rapid-response to critical organizational needs, unexpected crises, and urgent opportunities. This particular role ensures that families in crisis receive timely care coordination, critical resources, and consistent follow-up while also equipping local teams and volunteers with effective family support strategies. The Family Support Specialist temporarily fills gaps in regions with staffing shortages or high caseloads, ensuring no family is left without the care and support they need. An ideal candidate will have a Human Service-related degree and a Masters in Social Work or equivalent experience working with vulnerable children and families. They should feel called to help children and families in crisis and share our passion for keeping children out of foster care and families together. They should have demonstrated skills in leadership, communication, organization, networking, coaching/training, and motivating volunteers and the community. He or she will be a self-starter who is comfortable working remotely with minimal supervision, has a demonstrated ability to analyze problems and find creative solutions, and thrives when challenged. CULTURE AND FIT At Better Together, we are a mission-first team that shows up with purpose, humility, and grit. Our culture is shaped by five core values that guide how we lead, how we serve, and how we grow. If these values reflect who you are and how you work, you may be a great fit for our team. We Love Others: We lead with empathy, humility, and integrity. We treat every person with dignity, make people feel seen and valued, and do what's right even when it's hard. Do you treat people with respect, no matter their background or behavior? Do you make decisions based on what's best for others, not just yourself? We Choose Gratitude: Gratitude fuels our joy and shapes how we show up. We focus on what's possible, not what's missing. We uplift others, celebrate progress, and keep perspective-even in the tough seasons. Do you stay positive and solutions-focused when challenges arise? Do you regularly speak encouragement and appreciation to your teammates? We Are Ideal Team Players: We are hungry, humble, and people-smart. We take initiative, lift others up, and work wisely with all kinds of people. The best teams aren't made of perfect people-they're made of teachable ones. Do you take ownership and go the extra mile without being asked? Are you open to feedback and constantly looking for ways to grow? We Do Hard Things: We don't quit when things get hard. We press in with courage, keep a growth mindset, and do whatever it takes to get the job done. We don't waste time on drama-we stay focused on the mission. Do you rise to challenges with resilience and a clear head? Do you consistently push through discomfort to deliver results? We're All In: We carry the mission in our hearts and act like owners. We take full responsibility, build capacity in ourselves and others, and do the work that matters most. Are you passionate about transforming lives and communities through your work? Do you take initiative and show up fully-because you believe this mission is worth it? We don't hire just for talent. We hire for alignment, character, and commitment to the mission. Expect honest conversations about these values throughout the hiring process. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Family Support Specialist is responsible for making decisions and taking actions appropriate to ensure that every child has a permanent home that provides physical and emotional safety and that each region has the resources needed to provide support for families. To ensure this occurs, the Family Response Manager position has three main areas of focus: Direct Family Support Training & Capacity Building Program Evaluation & Service Improvement Direct Family Support Serve as the primary point of contact for families during deployments, conducting thorough needs assessments and coordinating appropriate care. Connect families with volunteer host families, mentors, and community resources to ensure timely and effective support. Coordinate short-term child care placements, mentorship connections, and other wraparound services to stabilize families in crisis. Manage complex or high-need cases temporarily when regions experience staffing shortages, ensuring continuity of care and safety for children and families. Training & Capacity Building Onboard, train, and mentor new Family Support Managers, ensuring alignment with program standards and core values. Provide ongoing skills training in areas such as case management, volunteer engagement, and family advocacy. Facilitate peer-to-peer learning opportunities across regions. Monitor FSM performance and provide constructive feedback to strengthen skills and confidence. Provide feedback to Regional Executive Directors on areas for growth for their Family Support Manager team. Collaboration and Communication Partner closely with Regional Executive Directors and other regional leaders to identify needs and resource gaps. Maintain clear communication and reporting on strike team activities and FSM training progress. Support organization-wide initiatives that improve family outcomes and volunteer satisfaction. REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS Education: A bachelor's or master's degree in social work or a related field is preferred. Related fields of study include, but are not limited to: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Bachelor of Science in Human Services (BSHS) Bachelor of Arts in Psychology Bachelor of Arts in Counseling Bachelor of Science in Public Health Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a focus on Human Services Bachelor of Science in Community Health Bachelor of Arts in Nonprofit Management Bachelor of Science in Family Studies Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Services Certification: Child Welfare Certification from the Florida Certification Board is preferred. Travel Requirements: Available for statewide deployment, sometimes with less than 72 hours' notice. Willing to travel 40-70% of the time depending on regional needs. Transportation: A valid driver's license, vehicle registration, and car insurance are required. Must have a reliable personal vehicle available for daily work-related travel. Work Schedule: Flexibility to work evenings and weekends is necessary. Extended hours may be required for events, meetings, training, emergencies, or natural disasters. Participation in a monthly on-call schedule is required, with support from local leadership, to address community needs outside of regular business hours. Communication & Collaboration: Maintain regular communication with team members to coordinate efforts and provide timely updates. Ensure accessibility during work hours and on-call shifts through a reliable phone. Core Values: Demonstrate alignment with Better Together's core values, including ownership, gratitude, love for others, and a partnership-oriented approach. Technological Proficiency: Proficiency or ability to quickly learn the following platforms: Salesforce Zapier WordPress Basecamp PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Must be able to lift and carry items weighing 20-30 pounds. Perform physical activities such as bending, lifting, and standing for extended periods during community outreach and home visits. TIMING, LOCATION AND COMPENSATION Better Together seeks to fill this position as soon as possible. The job is full-time and may require some work in the evenings and on weekends. In addition, Family Response Managers participate in our on-call schedule rotation. Better Together is headquartered in Naples, Florida. Ideally, candidates for this role will be based in Southwest Florida or surrounding areas. We are currently not considering applicants from the Panhandle, Miami, or North Florida regions. A majority of your work time in this role will be spent in the community, helping families. Individuals in this role must be comfortable functioning and making decisions in crisis situations. This can involve personally helping individuals relocate to safe spaces and transporting to a safe space. Additionally, individuals in this role will be expected to attend weekly in-person or virtual team meetings and discuss the status of their cases with the team. There also will be quarterly in-person team meetings during which goals will be set and you will be expected to make suggestions on how to seize new opportunities. Compensation and Benefits: Better Together offers a competitive annual salary of $58,000 - $64,000 and a benefits package, which includes a health benefit and generous paid leave plan: Medical (99% employer paid, employee only) Dental Vision Life Insurance Paid Holidays Paid Time off Retirement Savings Plan with 50/50 employer match up to 6% Better Together is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a workplace that embraces diversity and inclusion. We comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ensure that qualified individuals with disabilities are given equal opportunity for employment and advancement within the company. Accommodation Requests: If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or to perform the essential functions of the job, please contact our Human Resources department at [email protected]. We will make every effort to provide appropriate accommodations and ensure that you have a fair and equitable experience. Essential Job Functions: The essential functions of this position have been outlined in the job description. If you have any questions about the job's physical or mental requirements, please reach out to us for more information. QUESTIONS Please direct any questions to [email protected].