Family Advocate

Position Objective

When families thrive, children succeed—you can help make that happen.
As a Family Advocate, you’ll be a champion for parents—helping them stay engaged, connected, and actively involved in their child’s educational journey.

Unlike a traditional preschool, Head Start provides a comprehensive approach to early childhood education by integrating learning with health, nutrition, and family engagement—and you’ll play a key role in making that happen.

You’ll build meaningful relationships through home visits, connect families with vital resources, and work to remove barriers that stand in the way of student success. This isn’t just support—it’s advocacy, partnership, and creating opportunities for growth.

Essential Functions:

• Recruitment & Enrollment: Implement outreach efforts to attract and enroll eligible students, maintain full enrollment, and ensure timely replacements.
• Student Records & Compliance: Manage confidential records, facilitate health and developmental screenings, and ensure compliance with Head Start regulations.
• Attendance & Family Engagement: Monitor attendance, collaborate with families to improve participation, and encourage parent involvement through program activities, meetings, and events (including transportation when needed).
• Family Services: Work collaboratively with families to identify goals and create plans that support their overall well-being. Connect families with resources and services that help remove barriers and promote success for both the child and the family.
• Monitoring & Reporting: Track program data, prepare reports, and participate in assessments to ensure compliance with Head Start standards, including addressing child welfare concerns.
• Collaboration & Communication: Build strong relationships with internal teams, community partners, and educational institutions; participate in professional development and networking opportunities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

Physical demands include occasional standing, stooping, bending, reaching, and lifting items weighing up to 50 pounds. The position may also involve exposure to various weather conditions during outdoor recruitment events.

Travel

Travel is primarily locally during the business day, although there may be some out of the area travel for conferences.

Benefits Package

• 11 paid holidays
• 1 day of vacation accrued per month worked
• 1 day of healthcare/personal accrued per month (12 days per year)
• Healthcare coverage is provided through the State of Tennessee, with UETHDA covering 100% of the monthly premium for employee-only plans (valued at approximately $600 per month or $7,200 annually). Additional coverage options are available, with any cost difference paid by the employee.
• Dental, Vision, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability options are available at 100% cost to the employee.
• Retirement Plan: Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS). Eligible employees contribute 5% of annual wages on a pre-tax basis to the defined TCRS plan. UETHDA contributes an amortized amount as determined by TCRS. Employees become fully vested after five years of eligible service.
• Additional 401(K) and 457 Savings Plan also available without employer match
• Group Term Life Insurance (coverage equal to 1.5 times annual wages) and Voluntary Life Insurance are offered, with Group Term Life fully paid by UETHDA.

Minimum Requirements

• Associate degree in social work/human services or high school diploma/GED, with requirement to obtain a SSCBT credential or Family Services credential after hire
• Bachelor’s degree in social work/human services or a combination of a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field and relevant experience (preferred)
• One year experience in related work field (preferred)
• Experience in working with culturally diverse clients
• Proficient computer skills, internet and e-mail
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Working knowledge of community resources in job area
Valid driver's license with F endorsement (may acquire endorsement after hiring)

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time, non-exempt position paid hourly. The standard schedule is 37.5 hours per week, Monday through Friday, with normal agency hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Occasional evening or weekend events may be required. This position includes a temporary summer layoff of approximately 5–6 weeks from late May to early July. Employees are eligible to apply for unemployment during this seasonal layoff, and benefit coverage continues throughout this period. Work is based in Greene County around the Camp Creek and Nolachuckey areas.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

UETHDA is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to hiring passionate, diverse professionals who want to make a difference.

Salary Based 100% on Education/Degree

$17.50 hourly for associates degree in related area

$18.00 hourly for bachelors degree non-related to social work

$19.24 hourly for bachelors degree in social work or related