Early Childhood Family Specialist

1 Year Contract, Full-Time, Exempt

Daily Schedule 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, some nights and weekends

Reports to:
Director of Early Childhood Initiatives
 

Position Summary:
The Early Childhood Family Specialist will work closely with human service agencies serving vulnerable families to support the goals and objectives of the SPARK Early Childhood Collaboration. His/her role as a SPARK team member will be to assess the early childhood needs of children birth to five within human 
service programs and ensure that they are connected and have access to resources and services that will support the well-being of children and their families.
 

In summary, the Early Childhood Family Specialist will serve as the connector for agencies and families to ensure a seamless pipeline of services is accessible for families and their children.
 

Job Responsibilities: (Essential functions of the job)
• Work closely with human service agency coordinators to identify eligible families and maximize resources and opportunities for the families.
• Conduct community outreach activities to engage parents with young children. 
• Maintain a thorough understanding of essential social services program requirements for low-income families with children.
• Coordinate and administer the Ages and Stages (ASQ) and Social Emotional (ASQ: SE) 
developmental screenings during the year to support children's development, maintaining detailed written documentation.
• Input and track data that pertain to the work of the agency.
• Participate in community meetings, and workgroups focusing on reaching low-income and at-risk families.
• Support facilitating and co-facilitating monthly community meetings.
• Assist in planning and facilitating parent-child engagement activities and parent workshops.
• Participate in orientations, all staff training, and development seminars
• Maintain the highest level of participant confidentiality
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned by the Supervisor
 

Competencies:
To perform this job successfully, the incumbent should demonstrate the following competencies:
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and networking skills
• Self-directed
• Demonstrated ability to follow directions and complete tasks in an effective manner
• Must be able to use Microsoft programs and Smartsheets
• Ability to de-escalate threatening/volatile situations with participants or in the workplace while simultaneously maintaining ethics and professional boundaries
• A positive mindset, flexibility, dependability, and strong organizational skills with the ability to multitask are required

Job Requirements:
Strong, Prepared, And Ready for Kindergarten is an Early Education Initiative of Fox Valley United Way. Incumbents must have a passion for working in a mission-driven organization.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in early childhood, Social Services, or Human Service field or experience
 

Experience: Two years’ minimum experience working with children from low-income and priority populations (vulnerable populations), demonstrating a deep understanding of institutional poverty and the cultural framework of the Aurora, IL community
 

Languages: Must be fluent in both English and Spanish
 

Hours: Flexibility to work occasional nights and weekends may be required to successfully complete activities
 

DISCLAIMER:
This job description is intended to convey the essential functions of this position, and it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position.