FATHERHOOD INVOLVEMENT SPECIALIST

Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is an urban hub bursting with energy. Milwaukee provides a casual sophistication – big city appeal without the big city hassles. We are accessible and affordable, and our residents are welcoming. Milwaukee has evolved through the years, bringing together its unsurpassed old world charm with a breathtaking Art Museum, top-flight arts and cultural attractions, professional sports, lakefront festivals, recreational opportunities, and great restaurants.

 The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

Under the direction of the Empowering Families of Milwaukee (EFM) Program Manager, the Fatherhood Involvement Specialist is responsible for outreach, recruitment, and enrollment of expectant and parenting fathers into the Direct Assistance for Dads (DAD) Program https://city.milwaukee.gov/Health/Services-and-Programs/DAD. The Fatherhood Involvement Specialist (FIS) functions as a home visitor/case manager, conducting personal/home visits to work intensively with expectant and parenting fathers, infants, and young children, with the goal of improving paternal health; early childhood health, development, and well-being; and optimal father involvement.

Home Visiting and Case Management

• Develop and maintain supportive and trusting relationships with clients and other family members to promote independent and empowered actions by families.
• Provide on-going home visits and phone contact based on each family’s need as prescribed by DAD Project protocols.
• Utilize the evidence-based Parents as Teachers home visitation model.
• Assess client/family needs and make appropriate referral to community resources.
• Act as a liaison and advocate for families regarding needed resources from governmental, community, and private agencies.
• Provide case management of families as prescribed by DAD Project protocols to address family needs.
• Complete developmental screening and assessments of clients’ physical, social, psychological, and environmental health statuses.
• Teach health promotion and disease prevention, encouraging the adoption of healthy behaviors.
• Collaborate with private care providers, allied professionals, and other Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) personnel regarding needs of clients and assist as needed to coordinate care.
• Develop and implement case management and care plans for resolution of assessed client/family needs.
• Document case management and home visitation activities within designated MHD/DAD Project databases and charts in accordance with DAD Project documentation protocols, following MHD policy.
• Assess community needs for input into MHD programs.

Team Collaboration, Program Improvement, and Professional Development

• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with team members in providing DAD Project services.
• Provide case consultation and joint home visits as needed with partners in EFM, the Birth Outcomes Made Better (BOMB) Doula Program, and the Parents Nurturing and Caring for their Children (PNCC) Program regarding father needs and engagement.
• Attend program meetings, training sessions, and community meetings.
• Participate in orientation and on-going training for the DAD Project.
• Evaluate and/or provide assistance to determine the effectiveness of home visiting services and interventions.
• Participate in data collection, program evaluation, continuous quality improvement, and report preparation pertinent to program objectives.
• Engage in professional development opportunities to enhance and maintain knowledge, skills, and abilities in paternal-child health, home visitation, and public health.

Community Collaboration, Outreach, and Advocacy

• Conduct community outreach to increase community awareness of DAD Project, and support client recruitment and enrollment into the DAD Project.
• Facilitate client group meetings and events.
• Conduct health education classes to groups.
• Participate in the coordination and administration of services at health centers/special events.
• Participate in Department, Division, and/or Program level committees.
• Develop networks and relationships with the community and other agencies to serve as liaison and advocate for clients and populations.
• Represent the MHD in professional organizations and events, supporting the department and program’s goals, outcomes, policies, and strategies.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

Please be advised that new employees are required to have received either both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine prior to their employment start date or have an approved religious or medical accommodation prior to their employment start date. You can find further information relative to the City’s Covid-19 Vaccination Policy here. 

The Fatherhood Involvement Specialist must be willing and able to do the following:

• Frequently stand, walk, climb stairs, sit, and occasionally move and lift up to 25 pounds.
• Carry a mobile device during business hours.
• Occasionally work outside of standard business hours (evenings and weekends) as required by the needs of the department.
• Travel outside the City of Milwaukee, occasionally overnight or weekends, for training purposes or to participate in meetings as a representative of the City.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Required pre-employment vaccines include the following:

• Tuberculosis (TB) Test (at time of hire and annually throughout employment)
• MMR Vaccine
• Hepatitis B Vaccine
• Varicella Vaccine

IMPORTANT NOTE: Required pre-employment tests include the following:

• Physical Exam
• Vision Exam
• Audio-Gram
• Non‑DOT (Department of Transportation) Drug Screen

1. Bachelor's degree in social work, nursing, public health, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
2. Valid driver's license and possession of a properly insured vehicle for use on the job at time of appointment and throughout employment. Mileage reimbursement is provided pursuant to Section 350‑183 of The Milwaukee Code.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may also be considered. For example, four years of experience working in a social service capacity performing duties related to this position may be considered equivalent.

NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.

• Social service experience working in the community with clients.
• Experience working with fatherhood initiatives.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish, Burmese, Karen, Rohingya, Swahili, or another language.

Technical

• Knowledge of contemporary theories of child development, fatherhood, and parenting.
• Knowledge of Milwaukee’s social service agencies and fatherhood resources.
• Knowledge of social determinants of health, health equity, and racial disparities, specifically in relation to populations in Milwaukee.
• Ability to read and interpret work-related documents in English.
• Proficiency using computers and standard software (e.g., word processing, databases, spreadsheet programs, email, electronic calendars, case management information systems, and project management programs).
• Ability to analyze and solve problems, as well as decision-making skills and sound judgment.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions and percentages and apply concepts of statistics.

Communication and Interpersonal

• Verbal communication skills in English: ability to speak clearly and persuasively and respond to questions from managers, clients, and the general public.
• Written communication skills in English: ability to write narrative case notes, routine reports, professional correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to speak effectively and present information before groups of clients, colleagues, and community members.
• Interpersonal and listening skills, including the ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with diverse clientele, multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary staff, City officials, other agencies, and the public.
• Ability to work cooperatively, effectively, and fairly with coworkers and residents whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own.
• Ability to manage emotions and respond appropriately when faced with difficult situations.
• Exemplary cultural sensitivity, including the ability to examine and address implicit biases.

Time Management and Judgment

• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work to achieve objectives within deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and within a team, seeking out supervision/support when needed.
• Honesty and integrity, as well as the ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Commitment to professional development in the fields of fatherhood, child health and development, and public health.
• Ability and willingness to work in clients’ homes and community locations in a variety of temperatures, environments, and situations.
• Knowledge of safety principles and the ability to maintain situational awareness when working in the field.

The current salary range (Pay Range 2DN) is $54,113-$60,688 annually, and the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $55,736-$62,508 annually. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program that includes the following:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance 
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves 
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/der/benefits. 

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: education and experience evaluation; written, oral, or performance tests, or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to oral and performance examinations. Oral examinations may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.

INITIAL FILING DATE - The examination will be held as soon as practical after the application deadline listed above. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the examination. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative test administration. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

• APPLICATIONS and further information can be accessed by visiting www.jobapscloud.com/MIL.
• Applications should be submitted no later than the deadline listed above.
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
• The Department of Employee Relations is located in City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

EEO = 208

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.