Family Advocate - Jackson County

FAMILYADVOCATE

A resume must be submitted to be considered for this position.

Full-Time, Excellent Benefits and Paid Time Off

Starting Wage : $22.97 - $31.32 per hour, based on Education

Bilingual Starting Wage : $24.12 - $32.89 per hour, based on Education

PURPOSE :

The Family Advocate (FA) willdevelop and maintain relationships with families and ensure that they receivecomprehensive services through their participation in the Head Start / Early HeadStart programs. Comprehensive services include, but are not limitedto, health and social services, disabilities, nutrition, parentengagement, crisis support and a range of parentLeadership development training opportunities at the site. The FA willsupport and respect the culture and family background of each family, utilizingUnconditional Positive Regard at all times and providing individualizedservices that meet each family's unique needs. This position is responsiblefor meeting Head Start performance standards and following the Agency policiesand procedures. The Family Advocate is also responsible for conductingcommunity outreach efforts as outlined by the Parent, Family &Community Engagement (PFCE) department toidentify and develop relationships with community-based organizations thatprovide other needed services to families.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES :

I. ERSEA(Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance)

A. Assist with recruitment efforts as needed.

B. Work closely with teacher(s), families, anddepartments to address child attendance concerns.

C. Support registration of newly enrolled families asneeded.

II. FAMILY SERVICES

A. Establishpartnerships with parents and caregivers that are respectful, culturallyresponsive and nonjudgmental.

• Participate inculturally sustaining practices that nurture and support cultures faced withsystematic hardships by encouraging linguistic, literacy and assisting familiesin maintaining their unique cultural identities, practices and values (culturalpluralism).

B. Contribute to andmaintain an equitable center environment where children and families feel seen,heard, acknowledged and have a sense of belonging and connection to theircommunity.

C. Develop strongworking relationships with families and provide case management services toensure the health and well-being of children and families.

D. Provideoccasional support in the classroom as needed.

E. Provide support,education and resources to parents to ensure the health and well-being of theirchild.

III. ASSIST FAMILIESIN CRISIS

A. Work alongsidefamilies facing adversity in times of need. Share the workload and ask for help when needed.

B. Utilize activelistening skills to develop an understanding of the family's needs withoutjudgment or assumptions. Useunconditional positive regard verbally and nonverbally when a family sharespersonal information with you.

C. Supportfamily-driven solutions by encouraging families in making decisions and takingactive steps to address the crisis.

D. Provide referrals or resources as appropriate.

IV. DOCUMENTATION,RECORD KEEPING AND REPORTING

A. Maintainaccurate, organized and up to date documentation of all efforts and contacts inworking with families.

B. Maintain fiscalresponsibility as directed for FA purchases.

V. COMMUNICATION,DEBRIEFS, CHILD STAFFING / CONSULTATIONS

A. Protect andrespect the confidentiality of others.

B. Communicate anddebrief with staff at center, in classroom and in meetings as scheduled.

VI. PARENTENGAGEMENT

A. Engage parents asfull partners in the education of their child and their preparation for kindergarten.

C. Engage parent incontributing to program activities and services through volunteering, communityservice, etc.

D. Work with otherstaff to engage parent in individualized goals and interactive activities withtheir child at school, at home and in the community.

E. Assist parents asadult learners to recognize and address their own literacy goals.

F. Link parents toand support them in training that contributes to self-sufficiency.

G. Support andassist families in transitioning to kindergarten; link parents with their child'snext school.

VII. COMMUNITYPARTNERSHIPS

A. Develop andpursue relationships with community providers in order to advocate for theneeds and interests of Head Start families in accordance to PFCE direction.

B. Be an ambassadorfor the program in the community.

VIII INTERACTIONWITH CHILD, COLLABORATIVE, PARENTS AND CO-WORKERS

A. Must relate in apositive, nurturing way, both verbally and physically, and be sensitive to theneeds of children, parents and co-workers.

B. Must use quick,safe reactions and responses in dealing with children or situations thatinvolve children.

IX. WORKENVIRONMENT AND SAFETY

A. Maintain a safeand pleasant work environment.

B. Maintain agencywork site equipment and materials.

C. Follow safetyregulations, policies and procedures.

D. Activelycontribute towards promoting a safe workplace / environment.

X. OTHERDUTIES

Maybe assigned other related duties as appropriate and within the scope of generalresponsibilities for this position. However, this job description in no way states or implies that these arethe only duties that may need to be performed by the employee fulfilling thisposition. This job description describesthe general nature and level of work, but is not intended to be an exhaustivelist of all responsibilities and duties which may be required. Working conditions include indoor office andpreschools, frequent local travel and occasional out of town travel.

REQUIRED JOBSPECIFICATIONS

Education : Degree orcertificate related to the work, i.e., social work, human services, familyservices, counseling, or related field. (Some community colleges offer a Family Support Worker certificateprogram.)

Possession of a degreeunrelated to the work (i.e., in a field other than those stated above) will berequired to have 9 months of employment related to the position and be able to obtain an approved credential or certificate in social work, humanservices, family services, counseling or related field within 18 months ofhire.

OR

Experience : Minimum two years in social services with adults and workwith low-income families preferred.

Essential Skills :

Essential Mental Abilities : This position is regularly required to use written andoral communication skills; read and interpret information; analyze and solveproblems; be self-directed; observe and interpret people and

situations; learn and apply new information or skills;work under intensive deadlines and interact with management, administrators,staff, teachers, parents, family members, children and others encountered inthe course of work; utilize unconditional positive regard for others.

Essential Physical Requirements : Ability to occasionally lift / carry up to 40 lbs. adistance of 10 feet and to push / pull up to 40 lbs. a distance of 10 yards. Ability to sit for extended periods oftime. Sufficient mobility and range ofmotion to perform intermittent standing, walking, balancing, stooping, bending,crouching, crawling, reaching, squatting or kneeling, twisting andascend / descend stairs / steps. Ability tointermittently perform physical requirements of bus monitor duties. Ability to operate a motor vehicle. Sufficient vision and hearing to perform jobduties. Sufficient manual dexterity andeye-hand coordination to perform job duties.

Exposure to Hazards : Repetitivemotion tasks, sitting for long periods of time, use of personal computer andother office equipment. Unpredictable child and parent behavior, exposure tocontagious conditions, hazardous chemicals and driving and riding in motorvehicles and school buses.

EMPLOYMENTCONTINGENT UPON :

Pre-employment health screening as required byAgency and position (may include, but is not limited to : drug screening,occupational health screening and / or functional testing)

Central Background Registry enrollment

Valid Oregon Driver License

Proof of current personal automobile insurance inaccordance with agency policy

Three (3) years DMV court print driving record

Approvalto drive from Agency insurance carrier - requires at least 21 years of age

Reportsto : Site Manager 0-5