Family Engagement Specialist
23 hours ago
Renton
Job Description POSITION: Family Engagement Specialist, Child Care Subsidy Program Salary Range: $60,000.00-$64,000.00 FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Reports To: Family Navigation Lead AGENCY SUMMARY: BrightSpark Early Learning Services has been at the forefront of the early learning landscape for over 30 years, ensuring that all children have equitable access to safe, engaging, and positive early learning experiences that promote school readiness and lifetime success. With a staff of over 140 and a budget of $30 million (99% publicly funded), BrightSpark Early Learning Services provides a broad array of services for families and childcare providers so that they, in turn, can support the development and well-being of our children. OPPORTUNITY: BrightSpark is looking for motivated, self-starting, creative problem solvers, passionate about connecting families to childcare and early learning opportunities for their children. The Family Engagement Specialist will help identify and assist families to meet their childcare needs. The goal of these services is to ensure that children from families in King County can access protective early learning environments. The Family Engagement Specialist helps administer the Child Care Subsidy Program and is a member of the Family Services Department who reports to the Family Engagement Program Manager. They work closely with the Family Engagement Team to identify the needs of families and arrange applicable services related to childcare. RESPONSIBILITIES: • Provide culturally relevant, inclusive services remotely and in person, over the phone, and by email to families, childcare providers, and other community members throughout King County., • Assess the childcare needs of the families seeking support and provide information and consultation on assessing quality and choosing childcare that will meet families’ needs., • Meet with families on-site at shelters or other designated locations throughout King County to assess families’ needs for childcare and related services*;, • Actively engage and work together with the team to fulfill program operations and to meet the needs of families and children within King County., • Help develop and implement protocols and procedures for responding to clients’ needs., • Explain childcare options to families and provide referrals to licensed childcare providers in the community., • Use the BrightSpark database to provide referrals to licensed childcare providers in the community., • Provide information, materials, and consultation to parents about child development, how homelessness affects children and families, and the indicators of high-quality care., • Facilitate communication between parents and their providers in understanding mutual expectations. Address and help mitigate issues relating to families’ childcare arrangements., • Establish and maintain positive working relationships with DSHS/DCYF personnel involved with client services. Assist families to access the Working Connections Child Care subsidy (WA state) and other public benefits, when eligible., • Conduct community outreach, establish and maintain open, working communications with homeless housing programs and other homeless services personnel. Actively participate in community outreach events., • Identify and pursue opportunities to work across departments at Child Care Resources to support families., • Support the Child Care Aware of Washington Family Resource Center, as needed., • Keep program records accurate and up-to-date and document all contacts and services provided for each family., • Prepare reports and other written materials related to the program., • Provide technical assistance to childcare providers supporting families experiencing homelessness., • Other duties as assigned. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: • Minimum Qualifications, • At least 5 years of relevant experience; OR an Associate of Arts degree in Social Work, or a related field and 4 years related work experience; OR a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work, or a related field and 3 years related work experience; OR a master’s degree in social work, and 2 years related job experience., • Desired Qualifications, • Bilingual in English and Spanish or Somali languages., • Knowledge of best practices in case management and, • Experience with homeless or mental health services with knowledge of trauma-informed care practices., • Knowledge of early childhood development, childcare, and other early learning supports., • Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Qualifications, • Approach works with a sense of possibility, sees challenges as opportunities for creative problem-solving, and works to find innovative solutions., • Effective, equitable verbal and customer service skills in-person and over the phone (discretion, patience, & warmth), as well as the ability to adjust communication style for various audiences., • Effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to constructively manage conflict and the ability to respond clearly and effectively to inquiries from stakeholders and the public., • Effective written communication skills, including proper use of grammar, punctuation, and spelling, with the ability to proofread., • Experience working with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds and income levels, and a demonstrated commitment to diversity, cultural relevance, and inclusion., • Ability to work effectively as part of a team or independently, as tasks require., • Ability to communicate and actively participate in BrightSpark team meetings, committees, and external community groups., • Ability to assess when to exercise discretion and when to reach out with questions., • Ability to work under deadlines, work on several tasks simultaneously, and organize and prioritize work quickly in response to changing needs., • Critical thinking and analytical skills., • Experience with data entry and data management systems., • Ability to be both fast and accurate in a high-volume setting., • Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy., • Knowledge and experience working with MS Office Suite, with strong Excel skills., • Excellent organizational and prioritization skills. COMPETENCIES: • Core Competencies -, • Mission-driven: Demonstrates commitment to the mission and values of the mission., • Equity mindset: Demonstrates the values of anti-racist; fosters an inclusive environment that facilitates diversity., • Communication: Uses skillful written and oral communication with internal staff, teams, and community served; demonstrates empathy and listening., • Adaptability: Adapts and responds to change; proactively seeks opportunities to be supportive of change that serves our mission, • Hiring Salary Range: $60,000.00-$64,000.00, • FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, • This is a full-time salaried position requiring work during BrightSpark Early Learning Services Business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am-5 pm, and requiring a willingness to work some evenings and weekends. BrightSpark will determine the specific salary for the successful candidate based on factors including, but not limited to, budget available, prior experience, skill, and education as they relate to the position’s qualifications and internal racial equity. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total compensation package. Other components of the total compensation package may include participation in group life, health, and dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program(s), paid time off, and paid holidays. BENEFITS: BrightSpark Early Learning Services’ benefits package includes employer-paid top-tier medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for employees, 21 days of PTO per year in addition to 11 paid holidays, 3 paid floating holidays, birthday holiday, and one week-long office closure at year-end, Refresh Fridays in July (BrightSpark Early Learning Services Closure Days), flexible work environment, employer-paid life insurance, short-term disability/illness leave accrual, and 401k with 3% employer match. WORK LOCATION: • This position is a Hybrid., • Hybrid positions at BrightSpark require at least two days in the office per week. These days may change based on individual position and department needs., • BrightSpark Early Learning Services employees in all types of work positions (hybrid, community, etc.) must attend training, meetings, events, or other work commitments at various BrightSpark Early Learning Services office locations or off-site locations in Washington State, including the New Employee Orientation in Kent, Washington. EQUAL EQUITY EMPLOYER: BrightSpark Early Learning Services is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity among our staff. We strongly encourage people of color, immigrants and refugees, people from the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, and people from other historically marginalized groups to apply. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & QUESTIONS • BrightSpark Early Learning Services is a grant-funded nonprofit organization. This and all positions are contingent on grant funding being in place and can end based on the expiration of funding.
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