Lead Family Specialist

It's a great feeling to work for a company that does so much good for others around the world!

Academic Req: Required - certificate or credential in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or related field. Or High school diploma and acquire a family services certificate obtained within 18 months of employment.

Work Experience: Required - Experience working with diverse families in low-income communities. Background in evidence-based strategies to strengthen outcomes for children and families.

Prefer: Bachelor’s degree in social work, bilingual (Spanish), and three (3) years of case management experience.

Critical Action Items & Measurable Deliverables:

1. Establish systems for program eligibility of Head Start program participants (e.g., determination, verification, documentation) in accordance with agency and federal policy, protocols, and regulations. (HSPPS §1302.12)

2. Guide recruitment efforts designed to actively inform families with eligible children in the service area specifically children with disabilities and other vulnerable or disproportionately impacted children of available Head Start services and assist them with the application process. (HSPPS §1302.13)

3. Comply with selection criteria (annually) and ensure program compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). (HSPPS §1302.14)

4. Monitor systems for tracking child attendance and consult on mitigating absenteeism (e.g., Attendance Action Plan). (HSPPS §1302.16)

5. Collaborate with program staff to develop and implement family engagement strategies, specifically fatherhood engagement initiatives, including individual activities and special events. (HSPPS §1302.50, 1302.51)

6. Collaborate with program staff on strategies for family service planning, including the identification and development of community partnerships. (HSPPS §1302.52, 1302.53)

7. Support completion of minimum training requirements as specified in state and federal standards through the development and delivery of training and technical assistance. (HSPPS §1302.92)

8. Complete initial training on eligibility determinations within 90 days hire and subsequent professional development training as indicated by program management.

9. Monitor program enrollment to ensure it reaches 100%, complies with eligibility criteria, and adheres to agency, state, and federal standards.

10. Provide oversight of physical and electronic child records to make certain the files are complete, current, organized, and compliant with Head Start Program Performance Standards.

11. Prepare and submit required reports (e.g., weekly enrollment status and attendance reports, monthly waitlist reports, annual audit report) prior to deadlines

Other Responsibilities:

12. Monitor, evaluate, and revise policy, protocol, and systems for eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment and attendance (ERSEA) tracking and reporting. 13. Support development of community and self-assessments, grant applications, budgets, and required reports in accordance with INK and Office of Head Start timelines and criteria for composition.

14. Supervise Family Specialists as appropriate.

15. Promote opportunities for parents to participate in parenting and professional skills development, including opportunities to participate in the Head Start program as volunteers or employees.

16. Perform other job duties as assigned.

Requirements:

1. Demonstrated leadership skills through professional presence and reinforcement of agency mission, vision, and culture to encourage passion, engagement, and accountability among staff.

2. Strong “people acumen” and knowledge of human resources policy requirements and personnel • management strategies.

3. Knowledge of applicable state and federal Head Start regulations, performance standards and guidelines.

4. Strong written communication skills to compose and disseminate policy, protocol, training, reports, and other program documentation.

5. Strong oral communication skills to communicate with team members in a manner that encourages trust and respectful, ongoing two-way communication. • Ability to incorporate the unique cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds of families in the program and community.

6. Sound judgment in the protection of confidential information.

7. Ability to organize and prioritize duties and responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.

8. Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, holidays, and weekends

9. Ability to work independently.

10. Possess a valid driver’s license

11. Complete and pass health examination

12. Confirm work eligibility status

13. Successfully pass driving history check

14. Clear criminal background check

15. Required to lift up to 60 pounds.

16. Required to stand, sit on the floor, bend, squat, kneel, lift children, and engage with children.

17. Exposure to communicable diseases, and other hazards such as cigarette smoke, pets, at-risk neighborhoods, etc.

18. Travel up to 50% by car, bus, airplane, or train may also be required associated with attendance at conferences, meetings and other duties carried out at distant locations in and out of state and in some cases where some overnight travel may be required.

19. Some evenings and weekend work may occasionally be required for events such as home visits, parent teacher conferences, Parent Committee meetings, community, and social events such as field trips.

20. Required to hold and maintain a valid driver’s license

Here at INK, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. Please feel free to apply for this position even if your work experience and education do not align perfectly with every requirement for this job description. You may very well be the perfect candidate for this role or other ones that we have open. Thank you for your interest in joining our mission!

INK is committed to following immunization recommendations produced by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). As such, our company policy requires that all employees must receive an annual Influenza vaccination or obtain an approved exemption as a medical or religious accommodation. This is a condition of employment, and all new hires will be responsible for providing proof.

INK is an Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) Employer. It has been and will continue to be a fundamental policy of INK, not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination.

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If you like to work with people that believe they can make a difference in the world, this is the company for you!

EEO Statement

In accordance with Title VII  of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable federal and state laws (e.g., the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity and treat all employees equally regardless of race, religion, national origin, color, sex, or any other classification made unlawful or prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws, such as age, citizenship status, veteran or military status, or disability. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

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