Bilingual Family Educator

Full-time, non-exempt position (35 hrs./wk.) reporting to the Program Coordinator. Location: Orange County.

About the role

Family Educators provide weekly home visits and facilitate two or three parenting groups per year. They also offer case management and supportive counseling to families referred by the Department of Social Services and/or preventive agencies. The primary focus involves conducting home visits, advocating for families, and empowering them to attain self-sufficiency. You will encounter diverse home conditions, including overcrowded living spaces, substandard housing, mental health concerns, substance use issues, and the impacts of poverty. Regular supervision and training on the program curriculum will be provided to support you in addressing complex family dynamics.

Responsibilities

• Teach, advise, coach, and support families in mastering parenting skills through home visits and/or group facilitation.
• Maintain a flexible schedule to accommodate early morning or evening home visits based on client needs.
• Maintain accurate visit records, documentation, and reports on a timely basis.
• Collaborate with DSS preventive and CPS workers, and other service providers to ensure family cooperation with mandated services and child service needs.
• Work with people from diverse racial, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Provide transportation and childcare to parents and children for visits and services in your personal vehicle, as needed.
• Demonstrate strong teaching/coaching skills and meet the needs of family members with effective solutions.
• Exhibit compassion, empathy, and nurturing attitudes in all interactions with program participants and teammates, aligning with Nurturing Program philosophy and standards.
• Provide excellent customer service to all family members.
• Use creative problem-solving and resourcefulness to address challenges.
• Work effectively under extreme pressure and independently, escalating issues to your manager as appropriate.
• Attend supervision meetings, staff meetings, and trainings as required.
• Complete client-facing and administrative duties as assigned by your supervisor.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• BA/BS in social work or a related field.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish (required).
• Knowledge of and ability to work with children and families, with expertise in early childhood development.
• Possession of a reliable vehicle and valid NYS driver’s license.
• Working knowledge of community resources in Orange County (training provided).
• Ability to work flexible hours, including early mornings or evenings.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors and travel throughout Orange County.
• Experience in child welfare or a related field (strongly preferred).
• Ability to adapt to and manage frequently changing client needs, including challenging home conditions, mental health needs, substance abuse, and potential client trauma history.

Skills

• Computer literacy.
• Strategic thinking and organizational skills.
• Client focus and time management.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and public speaking skills.
• Attention to detail.

Pay

$25.27 per hour.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match up to 5%.
• Generous paid time off package: 2 weeks’ vacation in the first year, 13 paid holidays per year, 12 sick days per year, and 4 personal days per year.
• Access to Family Services’ Compassionate Leave Program, allowing employees to donate or receive unused time off.
• Group term life and long-term disability insurance.
• Supplemental life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment coverage (AD&D).
• Supplemental insurance through Aflac.
• Employee assistance program (EAP).
• Pet insurance.

Work Environment

The majority of time will be spent conducting home visits, advocating for families, and helping them become self-sufficient. Weekly supervision is required, and you must be able to take direction from supervisors and/or co-workers. Training on the program curriculum is provided.