Family Support Specialist - Possible Trainee

BASIC FUNCTIONS :

This is a Non-Exempt position. This position is multi-faceted and requires a highly independent, self-motivated individual with the overall responsibility for providing services to children and families in accordance with Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) and Part B and C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The service population includes families of 3 and 4 year olds enrolled in Head Start and infants and toddlers with a disability.

This position requires heavy fieldwork in reaching out to families and community partners with extensive record-keeping, tracking, reporting and follow-up required.Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

Education and Training :

Typically requires A Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work or closely related discipline (early childhood education preferred) and one year (12 months) work experience working in the human services area or early Childhood education. OR

AA degree with an emphasis in Social Work AND thirty six (36) months of work experience in a human services field (early childhood education preferred) with a minimum of a credential and certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field within eighteen months of hire. OR

Five (5) years successful work experience in human services field (early childhood education preferred) with a minumum of a credential and certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field within eighteen (18) months of hire.

Must possess a valid Driver's License and be eligible for the Tribes' vehicle Insurance.

Must be able to obtain a CCT Tribal License within 2 weeks of employment.

Health Clearance, negative TB test and able to obtain First Aid and CPR certification within three (3) weeks of employment with the program.

Indian and current / former Head Start parents will be given preference.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Requires the knowledge and experience in coordinating tribal, local, county and state resources available to families and children within the service area.

Requires the knowledge and experience in birth to three and Head Start functions such as service coordination, family and community partnerships, screening, referrals, and parent rights and responsibilities as it pertains to Head Start and children with disabilities.

Requires the knowledge of laws and regulations that apply to families and children, preferably in the birth to five populations.

Requires the knowledge and skills to work with a computer on a daily basis and for all aspects of job responsibilities.

Requires skills in records management to maintain a comprehensive system on family and child records for use in case management, service coordination, and completion of reports required by the program.

Requires strong skills in working as a team member while also being highly independent in completing the required job duties.

Requires the ability to be highly motivated to serve children and families, and possess the ability to demonstrate nurturing qualities, patience, genuine empathy, calmness in emergency situations, and excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Requires the ability to have maintained a substance free lifestyle for the last year (1) and continue maintaining this lifestyle during employment, and be willing to sign and adhere to the Tribes Substance Abuse Policy and the Head Start’s Healthy Lifestyle Policy in addition to submitting to program testing procedures.

Requires the ability to maintain STRICT confidentiality with program information and sign an oath of confidentiality.

Requires the ability to successfully clear an extensive Criminal History Background Inquiry that indicates no conviction(s) of crimes involving a child or other serious offenses.

Continued employment is contingent upon clearance on an on-going basis.

Requires the ability to meet deadlines for reporting systems by use of varied tracking systems and be able to report out findings accordingly.

Requires the ability to develop a system of ongoing tracking of children and families in the provision of services in meeting goals in a family partnership agreement.

Requires the ability to work with teaching staff in ensuring that a link exists between families and classroom staff in identifying strengths and weaknesses to develop goals geared toward individual child and family needs.

Requires the ability to share responsibility for the training of substitutes, on-call, temporary hire’s in the classroom, culture, communication, expectations, regulations, and safety of the children.