Head Start Family Advocate - starting in August

**Looking for a Family Advocate for the 25-26 School Year

**185 day School year based position (August to May)- full benefits

Head Start Family Advocate Job Description 

Job Title:  Head Start Family Advocate

Department: Head Start

Education Level and Certification: High school degree or GED.  Preferred: college courses or working experience in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field. 

Reports To:  Family & Community Partnerships Manager

Terms of Employment:  185 days / Schedule 3

Performance Responsibilities and Job Tasks

Build a partnering relationship with parents of Head Start children in order to support family growth in a variety of family development areas in accordance with Dept. of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children, Youth and Family (ACYF) Head Start Performance Standards.

Requirements:

1. Must complete an annual screening physical upon hire and annually thereafter.
2. Acceptable tuberculosis screening results are required prior to employment.
3. Must be able to make visits in home situations.
4. Within 18 months of hire, must have at a minimum, a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field.
5. Must be proficient in verbal communication and in maintaining written documentation.
6. Knowledge of family dynamics, knowledge of community resources.
7. Ability to work with families in crisis. Understanding of different cultural backgrounds, and the ability to focus on the strengths of others are necessary skills.
8. Basic computer skills needed.
9. Training, meetings and community interactions may include evenings or weekends
10. Occasional out-of-town travel for training is required
11. Work can be stressful and requires ability to meet tight deadlines
12. Within 90 days of employment (or sooner if required by local/state regulations), must obtain and continually maintain basic first aid and pediatric/adult CPR certification.
13. A clear criminal records check (including child abuse registry check) is required prior to employment.
14. To drive agency vehicles (if applicable), must have a valid driver’s license and be insurable by the ESU #13 insurance carrier and have a Motor Vehicle Record acceptable to ESU #13.
15. Complete 40 contract hours of education annually in subject matter related to position.

Essential Functions:

1. Work with families in development and implementation of the Family Partnership Agreement, including providing assistance to families through home visitation, referrals, goal setting, problem solving, empowerment and support. Work is evaluated by family visits and contacts as well as family outcomes produced.
2. Develop and maintain a team approach with the center teacher to support family growth and support parent group activities.
3. Provide follow up and develop strategies with families and center to deal with including but not limited to attendance, health and nutrition concerns and transition.
4. Foster and develop good communication and relationships between families and Head Start program.
5. Participate in the recruitment and enrollment process of children.
6. Serve as resource person for parents and provide parent education information reflective of parent interests related by parent survey and family needs identified.
7. Promote parent and community involvement throughout the program and in the community.
8. Advocate with and on behalf of families to promote high quality services and positive outcomes for families as related to family goals measured by completion of follow up communication with families to assess growth.
9. Maintain confidentiality of program, children, families and staff.
10. Model positive regard for program in the community.
11. Maintain open communication with the Head Start Management Team, center staff, parents, children, and representatives from other agencies offering services to enrolled families to ensure quality services are provided to families.
12. Assist in classrooms, on the bus, with parent meetings or Policy Council when necessary
13. Translate communication between program, child and family using family’s primary language when applicable.
14. Perform other duties as assigned by Education Supervisor, Education Manager, Disability Manager, Health and Nutrition Manager, Family and Community Partnerships Manager, Assistant Director, and Program Director.
15. Comply with the Standards for ESU #13 Employee Performance and Code of Ethics

At-Will Position. This position is an “at-will” position and may be terminated, with or without cause, at any time in the sole discretion of the ESU 13 Administrator or ESU 13 Administrator’s designee.

Essential Functions: The essential functions of the Family Advocate position include: (1) regular, dependable attendance on the job; (2) the ability to perform the identified tasks and to possess and utilize the identified knowledge, skills, and abilities and to perform the identified work activities; and (3) the ability to perform the following identified physical requirements.

*It is the policy of ESU 13 to not discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race, color, religion, veteran status, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, or other protected status in its educational programs, admission policies, employment policies or other administered programs.  Persons requiring accommodations to apply and/or be considered for positions are asked to make their request to the ESU 13 Administrator. 

Salary : $17