Family Educator

 

This Family Educator position is Full time, variable hours  Monday-Friday. Rate of pay is $3426 monthly.  Eligible for medical benefits including health, vision, dental insurance and life insurance. SEP retirement plan after 13 months of employment. Must be proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in English, must also have a GED or high school diploma and submit transcripts with application. 

KEY FUNCTION:

Under the direction of the Homebased Director, (direct supervision may be assigned according to program needs,) the Family Educator is responsible for providing Head Start services to children, primarily through home visits and group socializations. They provide services through intensive work with the child’s parents, as they are the primary teachers of the child’s growth and development. The Family Educator will integrate the Head Start components and carry out the objectives and philosophy of the program, while working closely with the staff, families, community and in following federal regulations and program objectives.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

MAJOR DUTIES/FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve 10-12 families, with additional siblings as applicable.
• Work with families and children primarily in their home on a scheduled weekly basis for at least 90 minutes minimum, at times that are convenient for the family.
• Home Visits will cover components of Head Start Performance Standards and goals of the child. Jointly plan with parents to individualize child school readiness goals and implement IFSP/IEP goals where applicable. Fully integrate children with disabilities into all Home-based activities.
• Plan with parents to provide two group socializations per month or as required by performance standards.
• Maintain confidentiality of family records and information.
• Make decisions based on child development best practices.
• Will be accompanied by the Home Based Manager on home visits, as well as resource staff, when necessary.
• Participate in all appropriate training and meetings.
• Promote good public relations between Head Start, community agencies, school districts, and within the general public.
• Maintain records as required by program Performance Standards.  Meet all paperwork deadlines.
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate group socializations. Preparation for groups includes lesson plan development and evaluation, gathering supplies and toys, food shopping, and completion of CACFP paperwork for meals/snacks.
• Maintain caseload and waitlist by recruitment efforts year-round.
• Help identify children with developmental delays and refer them as appropriate. Assist Family Advocates, as needed.
• Serve enrolled pregnant women, ensuring they receive full services.
• Other duties as assigned.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

• Support parents in their role as the primary teacher through guidance and suggestions that fosters their child’s development and goals.
• Encourage parents to communicate positively with their children and provide verbal and non-verbal means of communication.
• Promote physical and emotional security and positive parent/child interaction.
• Include the male role model in home visits and socializations when possible. Ensure that all information is shared with the male figure and that he is included in planning activities for home visits and socializations.
• Teach parents developmentally appropriate activities and practices.
• Encourage and promote families to be self-sufficient.
• Encourage parents to attend group socializations.

EDUCATION

• Inform parents about early childhood learning for school readiness. Implement agency curriculum with fidelity.
• Assist parents in using household resources for educational activities that support the concept that home is a learning environment.
• Promote use of space and home routines for constructing a secure, enjoyable learning environment.
• Provide information to parents using the parent and child curriculums that support parenting and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Provide ongoing assessment of the enrolled child, encourage parents to follow through with focused play activity throughout the week. Set child goals and track outcomes.
• Encourage parent participation in curriculum development.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• As prescribed in the Head Start Performance Standards 1302.91 (6)(i) have a minimum of a home-based CDA credential or comparable credential, or equivalent coursework as part of an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

• Knowledge and experience in early child development/early childhood education, child health, safety and nutrition; adult learning and family dynamics.
• Bilingual Spanish/English speaking preferred. In some service areas, bilingual English/Spanish speaking is required.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, access to reliable transportation, verify car insurance coverage, and be willing to travel throughout the program’s service area.
• Able to become CPR (adult, child, and infant) and First Aid certified, TB tested, and obtain a Food Handler’s permit.
• Able to work from your home and car and have available storage space in your home for resources.
• Able to participate in activities on the floor with children and parents.
• Must be able to lift/carry up to 30 lbs. of supplies for home visit or group socializations.
• Experience working with families, community agencies, and school districts.
• Maintain confidentiality, possess strong ethics, people skills, self-motivated, organized, and able to respond professionally in crisis situations.
• Able to work variable hours.
• All staff must pass a national/Utah/Idaho Sex Offender Registry check.
• All staff must pass a 24 hour background check which includes but is not limited to: a person search, state criminal search for any state the applicant has resided in the last 7 years, federal criminal records search, Nationwide NETplus search.
• All staff must pass an FBI background check which includes but is not limited to: UT Criminal History, FBI/III Criminal History, Utah Statewide Warrants, National Wanted Person Search, Western Identification Network, and, if applicable, background checks associated with the state of Idaho (Criminal History, etc.). After completing the initial FBI background check all staff are enrolled in the FBI RAPBACK program.
• All staff must pass a Child Care Licensing background check which includes: state and federal records (criminal, Sex Offender and child abuse registries alongside FBI fingerprint databases and juvenile records).
• Staff working in the state of Idaho must pass an Idaho background check in addition to any background checks submitted as part of their employment. The Idaho background check which includes but is not limited to: an Enhanced Daycare background, checking the ID Nurse Aide Registry, OIG list of excluded Individuals/Entities, Offenses Review, and a Criminal History Check.

All employment with Bear River Head Start is contingent upon Policy Council approval, and successful results of a background check. All applicants must also pass a drug test prior to hire including working with children and families. Refusal to submit to testing will result in disqualification of further employment consideration.