Family Engagement Specialist - Early Learning

Position Summary:

The Early Learning Family Engagement Specialist supports the overall mission and vision of Catholic Charities and the Child Care Aware of Central Washington program. Primary duties include offering support services to the Child Care Aware Family Friend & Neighbor participants and community partners. Promotion and development of the Early Connections Play & Learn model, Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Program, Creative Kids Program, and any other family engagement contracts secured by Catholic Charities organization on behalf of early learning systems and families. This position will also serve as an advocate for caregivers in early learning programs and support access to relevant community services.

Responsibilities:

Specific Responsibilities of the Family Engagement Specialist may include, but not be limited to

• Work in collaboration with the Early Learning and Family Engagement team to create an equitable system of services and opportunity to families in Central Washington.
• Establish and nurture collaborative relationships with community partners and colleagues.
• Facilitate FFN groups as assigned with fidelity in collaboration and implementation of all current and future Play & Learn Groups.
• Collaborate on the Early Learning and Family Engagement team for design, development, and implementation of projects as assigned.
• Support development of play groups by consistent communication and exchange of knowledge, ideas and lessons learned with other facilitators in the program.
• Have access to an insured personal vehicle and cell phone for business related activities.

Specific Responsibilities of the Preschool Educator duties include, but may not be limited to

• Conduct the enrollment for preschool service planning and implementation of Emergent Curriculum.
• Create and maintain a safe and healthy environment.
• Foster positive discipline and communication in the classroom.
• Conduct developmental screenings, share results with caregivers, facilitate connection to additional resources as needed.
• Provide family support to caregivers of the children.
• Curate child portfolios to show progress.

Professional development/ Training

• Participate in professional development opportunities.
• Abide by Washington State law as a mandatory reporter of child abuse and neglect.
• Participate in Early Learning & Family Engagement staff meetings, multi-disciplinary team meetings, and other meetings as assigned.
• Participate in monthly supervisions with lead Family engagement specialist or Regional Family Engagement Manager.
• Represent Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington in the community as needed.

Marketing

• Develop, plan and support communication of preschool program to increase community awareness and participation.
• Develop, plan and support communication of Family Friend & Neighbor activities to increase community awareness and participation.

Data Management

• Maintain communication with caregivers through QUIQ, email, phone calls
• Maintain attendance and program development using ProCare or other electronic methods assigned.
• Maintain confidential records, complete data and inventory tracking using a variety of electronic systems, ensuring Quality Assurance Standards within projects such as, but not limited to : QUIQ, basecamp, SharePoint, ProCare and any other learning management systems.

Special Projects

• Participate in special projects as requested by program manager or regional director as related to our early learning system.

Perform other duties as required

Job Requirements:

The following requirements are those that are normally required for performance of this position. Any disabled applicant or incumbent who does not meet one or more of the physical requirements, but who can perform the essential function of the job (with or without reasonable accommodations) shall be deemed to meet these requirements.

Physical Requirements:

This position normally requires the physical demands of sitting, standing, walking, bending, lifting up to 50 Ibs or performing other work requiring low physical exertion, talking, hearing and adequate vision on a regular basis to perform the job requirements. These physical demands are required up to 80% of the time.

Non-Physical Requirements:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Behavioral Sciences, Preferred
• Associates Degree, Required

Experience

• 2 years' experience working with parents and young children
• 5 years' experience working with parents and young children with Associates Degree or equivalent, preferred.

Special Skills

• Ability to work independently and self-motivate; work is primarily off-site.
• Knowledge of child development, a range of child rearing practices and issues.
• Be available to work evenings and weekends as needed and requested by your supervisor
• Ability to seek professional development opportunities and resources for early care and education professionals
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Spanish.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Demonstrated reflective practice skills with the ability to give and receive feedback
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Value all people, their family culture, heritage, language and beliefs
• Maintain professional working relationships with community partners, colleagues, and program stakeholders
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Microsoft Word and Excel
• Aptitude for learning new software programs and technology
• Maintain confidentiality according to professional standards

Licensure, Registration, Certification

• First Aid/CPR certification required
• Food Handlers Card required
• 30 hour Child Care Basic training
• Valid Washington State driver's license and minimum required liability insurance for WA State
• Must be deemed insurable as determined by Catholic Charities' liability insurance provider

Employment is conditional upon:

• Being cleared by criminal background check and fingerprinting when required