Family Engagement Assistant
: Job Details :

THIS IS A SEASONAL / TEMPORARY POSITION. No regular employee benefits available with this position.

POSITION OVERVIEW

This position plans and collaborates with other coordinators and staff in the Early Childhood Services (ECS) programs. The Family Engagement Assistant works with the ERSEA team to manage the eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance (ERSEA), system that meets the needs of Early Head Start/Head Start eligible families, and ECS Sites. The Family Engagement Assistant helps coordinate and document the activities of the ECS EHS/HS Policy Council/Policy Committee and oversees the implementation of Family Engagement, including Parent Committee and other Family Engagement opportunities/activities.

All employees and volunteers are expected to be sensitive to our clients' cultural and socioeconomic characteristics, always reflecting Sunbeam Family Services core values and to perform at Sunbeam's standards of excellence.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

* Serve as a leader of the Early Childhood Services program and being an effective role model for developmentally appropriate practice, for the values expected within the program, and for the mission of the organization.

* Attend local, state, and regional initiatives, meetings, conferences, and trainings to represent the ECS program and to develop community partnerships.

* In consultation with Family Engagement Coordinator and Supervisors, ensure Family Advocates throughout the year to identify family goals, strengths, necessary services, and supports and to consult on the benefits of family engagement and activities in which families may choose to participate.

* In consultation with Family Engagement Coordinator and Supervisors, ensure the completion of the child health screenings, other required screens, and assessments and are familiar with referral requirements.

* In consultation with the Family Engagement Coordinator and Supervisors, ensure Family Support Specialists participate in Interdisciplinary Team (IDT), Weekly.

* In consultation with the Family Engagement Coordinator and Supervisors ensure Family Child Reviews (FCRs) meetings with appropriate staff, as needed.

* Ensure Family Advocates maintain required documentation and all family files are current.

* Develop systems through which Family Advocates work with the ERSEA Team to manage eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance (ERSEA) that meets the needs of Early Head Start/Head Start eligible families, and ECS Sites.

* Work with the ERSEA Team to maintain funded enrollment level and waiting list, fill vacancies as needed, and analyze enrollment data to inform the planning process.

* Work with ERSEA Team to analyze contributors to absenteeism when average daily attendance falls below 85%.

* Coordinate, facilitate, and document activities of the ECS EHS/HS Policy Council/Policy Committee.

* Encourage volunteering at center-based options and participation in ECS EHS/HS Policy Council/Policy Committee by center-based and home-based families, and community members.

* Travel locally, as required, in the performance of responsibilities.

* Perform other appropriate and related responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Minimally Required

Preferred

Education

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Social Work or related field of service

Master's degree in Early Childhood Education, Social Work or related field of service

Experience

Effective experience as a leader and working directly with at-risk families.

Skills

Knowledge

Abilities

Caring and compassionate attitude when interacting with and caring for children and families

Accepting interpersonal approach that reflects cultural sensitivity to the unique and diverse experiences of families served

Willingness to work with high-risk, low-income communities

Knowledge and understanding of Head Start Program Performance Standards and state and local child care licensing requirements

Exceptional leadership, organizational, and communications skills

Excellent command of English language and grammar, both verbal and written

Intermediate knowledge of computer operations and applications and the ability to master other computer technology/software programs, as needed

Good time management skills

Must work independently and collaboratively in a team environment

Exercise independent judgment

Communicate in a professional manner, demonstrating dignity and respect for our internal, external and community members

Process, protect and exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials

Sustained concentration to detail and accuracy, along with the ability to prioritize workload

Must be able to travel and work some evenings and weekends as required by the job.

Valid Oklahoma driver's license and state required vehicle insurance for any vehicle used in performance of job duties

Knowledge and understanding of Child Plus

Bilingual Spanish/English speaking ability to interact with children and families from multilingual homes

WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to frequently communicate with staff and others, and must be able to exchange accurate information when doing so. The employee must be able to remain in a stationary position (up to 50% of the workday) and occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office equipment, attend meetings, etc. Must be able to detect, discern, distinguish, observe, inspect and compare. Occasionally must be able to move needed materials weighing up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment

The employee will work in an office environment, may work in close quarters with other staff and small children. The noise level in the work environment varies from moderate to loud; frequent chaotic situations will occur, characteristic to working with children ages 0 - 5 years. Employee must expect exposure to strong odors such as soiled diapers and clothes, and poor hygiene. May come into contact with childhood diseases and blood on occasion.

Other

The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. The qualifications, physical demands, and work environment described herein are representative of those an employee will encounter and must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. These statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel or candidate and may be subject to change at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

Sunbeam Family Services is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are committed to fair and equal in all its employment practices for persons without regard to race, ethnicity, color, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, religion, disability or degree thereof, national origin, domestic/marital status, political affiliation or opinion, veteran status, HIV status, AIDS status, genetic information, and any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.