Family Service Specialist - Artesia

FAMILY SERVICE SPECIALIST:

Responsible for planning, coordinating, and evaluating all parent and family engagement services for enrolled Head Start/Early Head Start children and their families. Implement and provide oversight of the Teacher Apprentice Program.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in social science or early childhood field of study plus two (2) years’ experience working in social services or early care and education program and/or any combination of education and experience equal to six (6) years.

• Ability to work well with diverse people in a range of settings.

• Strong working knowledge of the goals of Head Start, Head Start Program Performance Standards, research-based parent/family trainings, and community resources.

• English/Spanish bilingual/biliterate preferred.

• Working knowledge of the CDA process and CDA content.

• Must be a certified CDA observer or willing to obtain certificate within 6 months of employment.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES (Not Inclusive):

• Collaborate with Head Start/Early Head Start staff and parent/caregivers to implement, track, monitor, and analyze the YDI Head Start Family and Community Partnership Plans.

• Ensure all Service Specialists complete and obtain the Head Start Family Engagement credential.

• Coordinate cross-training opportunities for YDI Head Start/Early Head Start services that are designed to support family self-sufficiency.

• Work with YDI Head Start/Early Head Start Specialists and other staff to ensure YDI services are designed and delivered to address the needs of all enrolled families.

• Work with Specialists and other support staff to develop program plans.

• Collaborate with other staff members (e.g., administration, center directors, specialists) to plan, implement, and evaluate family services.

• Collaborate to plan, deliver, and attend family events and/or monthly meetings.

• Generate monthly reports that inform stakeholders on status of parent, family, community engagement services.

• Deliver new employee orientation to early childhood division.

• Monitor family services to ensure compliance and continuous quality improvement.

• Implement and provide oversight of the Teacher Apprentice Program.

• Implement and provide oversight of family-focused training such as Abriendo Puertas.

• Develop and/or update the parent manual annually.

• Develop and implement a plan to deliver parent orientation to all Head Start/Early Head Start families in conjunction with center staff.

• Produce and distribute electronic, or as requested by families, hard copy, community resource manuals.

• Arrange for at least one guest speaker from a community agency to share resource information at every service specialist monthly meeting.

• Other duties assigned.

JOB CHARACTERISTICS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This position is exempt from overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. This is a professional position, which requires organizational and communication skills, as well as judgment, tact and diplomacy in contacts with Head Start employees, community residents, parents and local government agencies. Strict adherence is required to all regulations concerning confidentiality.

Good general health and ability to lift and carry 55 lbs are essential.

TB skin test and physical are required at offer to hire. Physical may be required every five years.

Background investigation to include fingerprinting is required.

Travel is required. Proof of valid driver’s license and car insurance is required.

Must be able to perform essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

Youth Development, Inc. is an at-will employer. Employment is by mutual consent of the company and employee, and either may terminate the relationship at any time with or without cause or advance notice. This job is contingent upon funding; however, availability of funding is not a guarantee of continued employment, nor does it imply any specific term of employment.

Under the direct supervision of the Center Director.