Family Engagement Specialist

Location: Coos Bay & North Bend, OR | Program: South Coast Head Start | Pay Level: Starting at $20.26 hourly, depending on experience and qualifications | Position Type: Full Time; Seasonal | Effective: January 2025

About the Role

To promote family engagement in all aspects of the program and provide family support services according to Head Start Performance Standards, program goals, and other funding source rules and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Parent and Family Engagement
  • Complete child enrollment with each assigned family within the required timeframe.
  • Identify individual health and education needs (e.g., asthma, diabetes, behavioral) that require individualized service plans.
  • Coordinate with parents, site team, program staff, and community partners to develop, document, and communicate individual plans; update as needed.
  • Conduct two home visits per year with assigned families to support safety, health, financial stability, life goals, and aspirations; provide additional visits or contacts as needed.
  • Maintain regular communication with assigned families and classroom teams to provide information based on individual needs.
  • Provide culturally responsive services, including communication and materials in the family’s primary language using translated materials and qualified bilingual staff or consultants.
  • Promote parent leadership and volunteerism; engage parents in site parent committees and recruit and support Policy Council representatives.
  • Facilitate planning and implementation of parent meetings and activity days with site teams and parent leaders.
  • Support site-based and program-wide parenting education classes and activities.
• Health
  • Provide information to families about preventative medical and dental care.
  • Assist families with information and support related to ongoing access and follow-up for medical, dental, nutrition, mental health, and other services.
  • Assist families in completing follow-up for identified needs.
• Inclusion
  • Support classroom team communication with families regarding safety or behavior concerns and facilitate problem-solving.
  • Assist families in accessing needed services and supports to promote full, inclusive participation in early learning and school activities.
  • Support families in accessing evaluations and supports for Early Intervention and/or Early Childhood Special Education programs.
  • Attend meetings to provide parent support for placement and IFSP development and updates, as appropriate.
  • Provide referrals and support for families in accessing health, behavioral, or other specialized services.
• Attendance
  • Promote strong attendance habits by providing information/education to families about the benefits of regular school attendance.
  • Work with the teaching team to track attendance and conduct a home visit for children with two or more consecutive unexcused absences.
  • Provide individualized attendance support for families, including direct contacts, intensive case management, and attendance support plans.
• Education
  • Participate in each assigned classroom at least 2 hours a week as scheduled with the teaching team and Area Manager; ensure children are supervised at all times and never left alone with volunteers.
  • Support parents as their child’s primary educators with a focus on the whole child, including child education, health, mental health, and nutrition.
  • Encourage parent participation in the classroom, including invitations for parents to join site activities and mealtimes.
• Other Duties
  • Complete timely documentation of services provided according to program policies and procedures.
  • Maintain assigned company-owned equipment and cleanliness of workspaces; report damaged or malfunctioning equipment to supervisor, maintenance, or HR.
  • Provide site and team support, including answering phones, data-entry assistance, purchasing supplies, and mentoring new staff.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned by supervisor.

Team Expectations

• Model behaviors that demonstrate an understanding, acceptance, and welcoming of diversity.
• Attend staff meetings, center meetings, and/or other workshops/meetings as notified.
• Maintain a positive attitude regarding ORCCA and all its programs.
• Maintain respect and positive communication regarding all children, families, and staff.
• Maintain confidentiality of client and staff information.
• Engage in open, two-way communication with staff.
• Accept suggestions and guidance from supervisor and other management staff; seek feedback on job performance and incorporate suggestions.
• Commit to further training and develop an individual training plan using program tools, as appropriate.
• Communicate with supervisor regarding any needed changes or concerns with work schedule.
• Adhere to agency procedures as a mandated child abuse reporter.
• Ensure regular attendance; ability to perform the job with or without reasonable accommodations.

Requirements

• Four years of paid experience and/or training plus an Associate Degree or Certificate in a related field; OR a Bachelor’s degree plus two years’ experience in a field directly related to the position.
• Previous experience with non-profit fundraising and/or community action is a plus.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organization and time management skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines and present/relate to diverse client populations.
• Professional appearance, presentation, and demeanor.
• Must be enrolled in the Oregon Department of Education-Child Care Division Central Background Registry at time of hire and update as required.
• Pediatric First Aid/CPR Certification within 30 days of hire and maintain certification.
• Oregon Food Handler’s card or ServSafe® Food Safety Certification within 30 days of hire and maintain certification.
• Health Appraisal within 30 days of hire and update as required.
• Must pass the State of Oregon Criminal Background Check.
• Current Oregon Driver’s License and proof of automobile liability insurance at $100,000/300,000 liability limits; maintain such limits.
• Reliable method of transportation to work; must be free from illegal drugs and may be subject to suspicion testing.

Work Environment

• Geographic Area: Coos, Curry, and Coastal Douglas Counties.
• Primary worksite: Gold Beach, Oregon.
• May move or lift items up to 51 pounds.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Primarily indoors in a climate-controlled environment; occasional outdoor activities in non-climate-controlled settings.
• Potential for open workstations and cubicles with moderate to high noise; work from home where available.
• Some travel required; valid Oregon Driver’s License (ODL) and proof of insurance required.