Family Support Specialist

Head Start Child Development Program
Available sites: Ukiah
Hours: 40 hours
Bilingual (Spanish/English) Pay Differential Available

POSITION OVERVIEW 

Provide comprehensive support to families enrolled in the Head Start Child Development Program (HSCDP). Ensure full compliance with Head Start Performance Standards across family partnerships, parent education, health, nutrition, mental health and disability services. Monitor progress and ensure all required deadlines and timelines are met. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Health, Safety and Compliance 

• Responsible for the health and safety of children enrolled at the site while under our care. 
• Maintain accurate documentation and complete all required paperwork within established timelines.
• Work with site staff to track the attendance, absences, and health requirements to coordinate services to families in accordance with program procedures. 

Family Services and Support 

• Assist with HSCDP enrollment paperwork and support enrolled families by assessing their strengths and needs, developing goals and making appropriate referrals. 
• Support families in completing required health screening and services.
• ​​​​​​​Serve as a liaison between community resources and families, make referrals, and provide follow-up.
• ​​​​​​​Conduct home visits as needed and document all communication with families.
• ​​​​​​​Participate in team, case management, and child study meetings to coordinate services and provide families with information on assessments, screenings, disabilities and mental health. 

Parent Education and Engagement 

• Deliver parenting education services and provide families with health, dental, nutrition and other relevant information in both individual and group settings; participate in related training sessions.
• ​​​​​​​Encourage and facilitate parent involvement as classroom volunteers and other program activities.
• ​​​​​​​Assist in facilitating parent meetings and supporting the election and training of parent committee officers. 

Outreach and Recruitment 

• Actively coordinate and participate in ongoing community outreach and recruitment efforts.
• ​​​​​​​Maintain an active and compliant waitlist. 

General 

• Assist in the classroom, when needed, including covering teaching staff breaks.
• ​​​​​​​Responsible for generating, collecting and documenting Non-Federal Share Match.
• ​​​​​​​Attend scheduled meetings, trainings, and conferences as necessary; this may include occasional driving when located off site.
• ​​​​​​​Must complete 15 hours of professional development annually.                                   
• ​​​​​​​Participate in regular reflective supervision sessions and self-assessment to promote ongoing professional development. 
• ​​​​​​​For bilingual employees, perform all job duties utilizing dual language ability as necessary to provide optimum support and services for clients and HSCDP staff. 
• ​​​​​​​Other duties as assigned or required. 

ESSENTIAL WORK HABITS  

• Align work behaviors in conformance with NCOs Purpose, Vision and Values. 
• ​​​​​​​Participate in Head Start STRONG workplace culture initiatives.  
• ​​​​​​​Report to work on time and obtain approval from supervisor for any changes in work schedule or absences.  
• ​​​​​​​Maintain a strict commitment to confidentiality, in accordance with Agency and program policies and procedures.  
• Follow the NCO Injury Illness and Prevention Plan, as well as all Agency and program safety protocols, procedures, and policies.  
• ​​​​​​​Maintain focus on the assigned tasks.  
• ​​​​​​​Take pride in creating a positive, efficient work environment.  
• ​​​​​​​Treat co-workers and clients with respect.  
• ​​​​​​​Represent NCO and its programs to the community in a positive light.  
• ​​​​​​​Dress appropriately according to assigned job duties and responsibilities.  
• ​​​​​​​Adapt constructively to change.  

JOB QUALIFICATIONS 

Education, Training and Experience: 

• A High School Diploma or equivalent/comparable certificate. 

The following education and/or experience criteria are required to qualify for the designated level: 

•  Intern- Must obtain certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or related field within 18 months of being hired. 
• Associate – Meets the minimum qualifications of a certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or related field. 
• ​​​​​​​Level I- Associate degree in Human Services or related field from an accredited school is required 
• ​​​​​​​Level II- Bachelors degree in Human Services or a related field from an accredited school is required. 

Working with individuals or families with low-income households (preferred) ​​​​​​​

Group facilitation skills and experience (preferred). 

Knowledge of: 

• Principles and practices of interpersonal communications. 
• ​​​​​​​Local community resources related to children and families 
• ​​​​​​​Basic Child Development/Early Childhood Education (preferred) 
• ​​​​​​​Head Start Performance Standards (preferred) 
• ​​​​​​​Computer operations as it relates to the duties of the position; position requires demonstrated proficiency in the use of word processing, email, and spreadsheet programs and the internet. 
• ​​​​​​​Current standard office practices, procedures, and equipment. 

Ability to: 

• Train and facilitate small to medium sized groups of adults.  
• ​​​​​​​Communicate effectively and appropriately in spoken and written English; bilingual ability (English/Spanish) preferred.  
• ​​​​​​​Understand and carry out oral and written instructions accurately.  
• ​​​​​​​Interact with others in a culturally responsive and emotionally appropriate manner.     
• ​​​​​​​Maintain cooperative, professional working relationships with staff, children, and families.  
• ​​​​​​​Work effectively both independently and as a collaborative team member.  
• ​​​​​​​Follow established guidelines for handling confidential information and documents.  
• ​​​​​​​Organize, prioritize, and manage duties with minimal supervision to meet established deadlines.  
• ​​​​​​​Meet deadlines related to required monitoring and reporting documents.  
• ​​​​​​​Maintain a flexible schedule to attend work-related events and professional development activities as needed.  
• ​​​​​​​Acquire and maintain required and ongoing professional training.  
• ​​​​​​​Motivate, engage with, and work effectively with children, parents, and adults from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.  

Necessary Special Skills & Requirements: 

• Must be at least 18 years of age.  
• For work-related driving, must have a valid California driver’s license, a verifiable good driving record, and access to a vehicle with insurance that covers the employee as a driver OR reliable transportation with proof of automobile insurance.  
• ​​​​​​​Employment is contingent on completion of a pre-employment health screening, meeting TB test and regulatory immunization requirements, and receipt by the program of a Criminal Record Clearance confirming eligibility to work in a Head Start Program and licensed childcare facility.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, listen, and communicate clearly. 
• ​​​​​​​The employee frequently is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, use manual and automatic office equipment, and reach with hands and arms. 
• ​​​​​​​The employee is frequently required to stand; bend; reach down and stretch overhead; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. 
• ​​​​​​​The employee may frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds unassisted and may occasionally move and lift heavier materials with assistance using ergonomic guidelines. 
• ​​​​​​​Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 
• ​​​​​​​The ability to travel during the day and/or night, sometimes long distance – possession of a valid California Driver’s License and access to an insured vehicle is required. 
• ​​​​​​​Interaction and contact with outside agencies, vendors, funders, volunteers, donors and contributors is a frequent aspect of this job.  
• ​​​​​​​The employee will regularly use computers and computer printers, telephones, and other similar electronic office equipment. 
• ​​​​​​​The environment can be noisy and includes the comings and goings of small children and their families. 
• ​​​​​​​The employee may occasionally use kitchen equipment and implements that can be heavy, hot or sharp, as well as cleaning and sanitizing products. 

Salary : $20 - $25