Description

Wayfinder Family Services ensures that children, youth, and adults facing challenges always have a place to turn.

Wayfinder is committed to advancing IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility).

Wayfinder believes inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility are essential to our excellence and our mission's execution. We value differences in the pursuit of inquiry and knowledge, mutual understanding, respect, trust, transparency, and cooperation. We are committed to creating a diverse and welcoming workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve and includes individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Individuals of color, women, LGBTQIA , veterans and differently-abled persons are encouraged to apply.

In exchange for your talent, Wayfinder offers an excellent benefits package, which includes the following:

• This role is eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

• Competitive salary - Sign-on bonus for eligible roles

• Flexible schedules depending on the position (some offering hybrid)

• Medical insurance with a $30 premium per paycheck coverage plan (employee-only)

• Dental insurance 100% employer paid for HMO coverage plan (employee-only)

• 401(k) retirement plan with an employer match up to 4%

• 11 paid holidays per year and a generous paid time off policy

• Five paid winter holidays (between Christmas Eve & New Year's Day)

• Education Reimbursement Program

• Robust training opportunities: Shared Core Practice Model, Trauma-Informed Care, Evidence-based Practices

• Clinical Supervision for licensure

Compensation:

• In accordance with California law, the expected salary range for this position is posted with this position. The actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law.

Role Summary:

This Community Connector project will serve families of babies born premature and/or born with additional medical complications through a team of three (3) full-time community-based Child Development Services Navigators. The CDS Navigators will conduct in-person outreach to families and hospital personnel at an estimated twenty-five (25) NICU departments located throughout Los Angeles and Ventura Counties (as far as Pomona to South LA to Long Beach to City of Industry. LA County specific). This project will facilitate warm connections, enrollments, and follow-ups with social support programs throughout Los Angeles and Ventura counties including referrals to Regional Center services, mental health programs, early intervention services, and community-based organizations in each family’s local area. A trauma-informed approach will be used to serve these families who have experienced a traumatic-birth circumstance, with particular focus on engaging mental health and peer-support resources for caregivers while navigating families into all eligible programs and services. 

*This role sunsets on January 31st, 2025 with the possibility of extension pending Grant renewal.*

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• This is a hybrid position, must be self-disciplined and organized to maximize your time efficiently.
• Conduct data collection, data entry and system tracking.
• Two to three in-person visits per week to the NICU departments, Pediatric Clinics, High Risk Infant Clinics, etc. around Los Angeles County or Ventura County.
• Facilitate parent support groups one time per month.
• Must be able to evaluate child and family needs and refer to community resources and Head Start programs.
• Actively collaborates with community-based providers or related services to overcome family barriers, such as language, culture, and income.
• Collaborate with the Child Development Specialists and facilitate play dates.
• Participate in in-service training and professional development and implementation for staff and families.
• Maintain confidentiality of all pertinent client information.

Qualifications

Education/Certifications:

• Bachelor’s in Special Education, Social Work, Child Development, Early Childhood Psychology or related field.

Desired Experience: 

•  Minimum one year experience working with infants/young children and their families, preferred
•  Knowledge and ability to initiate and self-direct appropriate intervention, preferred.
•  Familiarity with services available to infants, young children

Special Working Conditions:

• Willingness and ability to make frequent field visits, attend meetings, conferences and other job related events away from headquarters. If driving a personal vehicle, must be insurable by our agency’s automobile insurance carrier.
• Solutions-focused and able to function in a fast-paced environment.
• Willing and able to change as the job or department needs change. Moves quickly with the changing needs of the organization.
• Carries out and adheres to Wayfinder Family Services’ mission and values.
• Willingness to work beyond normal working hours and in other positions temporarily when necessary, weekends included.
• Strong personal initiative and the ability to make timely decisions and to develop and carry out plans, work assignments, and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Must be regular and punctual in attendance.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with an emphasis on confidentiality, tact and diplomacy.
• Creates and maintains an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest, and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the agency and at events.
• Strong people skills and ability to communicate effectively with diverse constituencies both within and outside of Wayfinder Family Services.

Employee Wellness & Safety

Wayfinder is committed to creating an environment where employees and clients are safe. To meet this goal, we ask that employees be fully vaccinated (including boosters, where applicable) against the COVID-19 virus as a condition of employment. All staff must demonstrate evidence of complete vaccination, including booster, on or before their employment start date. Wayfinder will consider requests for exemption based on religious beliefs or medical accommodations. Must be able to show proof of immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases transmitted by the respiratory route if working directly with Unaccompanied Children, including Varicella, MMR, TDap or Tdap, and Influenza. Wayfinder requires a thorough background screening process, including fingerprinting and a health screening.

Trauma-Informed Care

Wayfinder practices Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) principles which recognize the signs, symptoms, and widespread impact of trauma. Employees integrate the knowledge of Trauma-Informed Care into policies, procedures, and practices to prevent re-traumatization which promotes the healing of families, youth, individuals, and communities.

Wayfinder is an Equal Opportunity Employer.