Head Start Family Service Worker

Sieda Community Action is currently accepting applications for a full-time (40 hrs/wk) Family Service Worker position for the Mahaska/Jefferson/Keokuk Head Start Centers.

SUMMARY: 

The Family Service Worker position works with the family to identify strengths, establish goals, and develop short-term objectives. Assists families in meeting programmatic requirements concerning health services and engages family throughout all aspects of the Head Start program. Has primary responsibility for on-going recruitment in their county.

ADDITIONAL TRAINING:

• Obtain Family Development Specialist certification which does not require ongoing CEUs.
• Must complete required training hours annually, per Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) Child Care Center regulations & Head Start Performance Standards.
• All staff are considered mandatory reporters of child abuse and required to hold a valid training certificate.
• All staff coming in contact with children are required to have up to date training in CPR, First Aid and Universal Precautions.
• Participates in pre-service, in-service/other trainings, AEA staffing, staff meetings, and committee work as required.
• Seeks out professional development through education, role modeling, mentoring, and by utilizing available resources and training opportunities.

OTHER:

• Head Start employees must pass a Pre-Employment state criminal record check, then successfully pass a state criminal record check every 2 years while employed in the Child Development unit.
• Head Start employees must pass a federal criminal record check with-in 6 weeks of employment, then successfully pass a federal criminal record check every 4 years while employed in the Head Start Program.
• Travel is required both in and outside the service area.  Proof of auto insurance and valid driving license is required. 

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skill, and/or ability required to be considered for this position.  

FORMAL EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Social Work, or related field required.

• Obtain Family Development Specialist certification within 2 years of employment.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of two years experience working with children and families in a similar capacity. Experience in Head Start preferred.

TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY:  

• Requires moderate level computer knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office programs, including, but not limited to, Word, Outlook, and Lync.  
• Requires moderate level computer knowledge and experience with Windows based operating system.  
• Must collect, enter, and update data into ChildPlus.net an existing Head Start management program with minimal training.
• May collect, enter, and update data into Teaching Strategies GOLD an existing online early childhood assessment program with minimal training.
• Must perform simple maintenance to keep computers operational.

Salary range for this position is $17.70-20.80

This position is open until filled. Sieda requires resumes for all positions in the organization. Please be certain your resume is complete, up-to-date, and includes dates of employment for past positions. 

For additional information please contact:

Tamara Wheaton or Katie Thompson

Sieda Child Development Administrative Assistants

641-682-8741

twheaton@sieda.org 

kthompson@sieda.org ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Full Job Description

JOB TITLE:      Head Start Family Service Worker                               UNIT: Child Development

REPORTS TO:    Head Start Center Supervisor                                     FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

SUMMARY:

SUMMARY: 

The Family Service Worker position works with the family to identify strengths, establish goals, and develop short-term objectives. Assists families in meeting programmatic requirements concerning health services and engages family throughout all aspects of the Head Start program. Has primary responsibility for on-going recruitment in their county.

DUTIES:  ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Performs multiple duties requiring moderate skills as follows:

• Completes, at minimum, 2 home visits with each enrolled family.
• Helps parents in the local parent groups to develop meaningful involvement in the Head Start program. Including, but not limited to parent meetings, classroom activities, parent orientation, and literacy activities. 
• Meets regularly with teachers to share relevant information regarding children and families.  Maintains regular communication with all center staff, Head Start management team, and community partners to ensure the highest quality services to children and families.  
• Contacts families when children are absent for 3 consecutive days.  Follows up with families to insure child attends program regularly and monitors county attendance monthly.
• Assists families in identifying strengths, establishing goals, developing short-term objectives through family partnership agreements. 
• Maintains accurate records and submits reports in a timely fashion to the correct staff. 
• Has regular contact with each family to determine support needed, and identify resources available.  Refers families to appropriate community resources when need is identified. 
• Maintains on-going intakes and submits to the Enrollment Specialist as soon as completed. 
• Maintains full familiarity with Sieda and Child Development Unit policies and procedures, Head Start Program Performance Standards, and DHS licensing regulations, and reports immediately to the Center Supervisor any deviations from these guidelines.  
• Participates in all in-services and other workshops as scheduled, and provides recommendations/suggestions as requested. 
• Serves as a substitute in Head Start classrooms when staff are absent and no other substitutes are available.
• Serves as bus monitor as needed. Follows child pick-up policy and procedure. Provides appropriate supervision and guidance of children while on the bus. 
• Maintains regular attendance to assure continuity for staff and families.  
• Provides follow-up on referrals, and documents as required. 
• Generates, collects, and enters In-kind into ChildPlus.net database for assigned sites/centers.
• Other duties determined necessary to support the Child Development Team in achieving goals for the Head Start program. 

INDEPENDENT ACTION: 

• Receives periodic supervision regarding task guidelines and completion.  

DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY:

• Limited independent decision-making authority.   

ADDITIONAL TRAINING:

• Obtain Family Development Specialist certification which does not require ongoing CEUs.

• Must complete required training hours annually, per Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) Child Care Center regulations & Head Start Performance Standards.
• All staff are considered mandatory reporters of child abuse and required to hold a valid training certificate.
• All staff coming in contact with children are required to have up to date training in CPR, First Aid and Universal Precautions.
• Participates in pre-service, in-service/other trainings, AEA staffing, staff meetings, and committee work as required.
• Seeks out professional development through education, role modeling, mentoring, and by utilizing available resources and training opportunities.

PROGRAM REPRESENTATION:

• Requires varying levels of interaction with staff, customers and other agencies in a role where they represent a single program.  

PROGRAM DESIGN AND PLANNING:

• Involved in the planning of the Head Start program reflective of his/her job responsibilities.  

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

• Not responsible for direction/training for program personnel.  

OTHER REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

ORGANIZATIONAL EXPECTATIONS: ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Supports and models the agency’s and unit’s mission, vision, and values.
• Maintain a regular attendance pattern to assure continuity of services and adequate staff coverage.
• Demonstrate professional behavior at all times including appearance and maintaining an orderly functioning classroom and office areas.
• Treat all individuals in a courteous, non-judgmental, reasonable and confidential manner.
• Must uphold the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Code of Ethics and Head Start Standards of Conduct.
• Accepts responsibility as a member of the team and works cooperatively with all staff for the benefit of children and their families to meet identified goals.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

• Ability to speak comfortably and effectively one-to-one or in group settings.

• Ability to demonstrate good listening skills. 
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret most complex documents.
• Ability to respond effectively to customer/staff complaints.

REASONING ABILITY:

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and take appropriate action based on compliance with established rules, regulations, policies and procedures.  
• Ability to convey information to staff, parents and members of the local community.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.   

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, stand, walk, move quickly, use hand to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms.  
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move 50 pounds, climb stairs, pick up and move children and/or equipment.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close, distant and peripheral vision.
• Head Start employees must pass a Pre-Employment Physical and TB Screen, then successfully pass a physical exam and TB screen every 3 years while employed in the Head Start Program.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  

• The work environment is both inside and outside.
• The noise level of the work environment is usually moderate.

OTHER:

• Head Start employees must pass a Pre-Employment state criminal record check, then successfully pass a state criminal record check every 2 years while employed in the Child Development unit.
• Head Start employees must pass a federal criminal record check with-in 6 weeks of employment, then successfully pass a federal criminal record check every 4 years while employed in the Head Start Program.
• Travel is required both in and outside the service area.  Proof of auto insurance and valid driving license is required. 

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skill, and/or ability required to be considered for this position.  

FORMAL EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Social Work, or related field required.

• Obtain Family Development Specialist certification within 2 years of employment.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of two years experience working with children and families in a similar capacity. Experience in Head Start preferred.

TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY:  

• Requires moderate level computer knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office programs, including, but not limited to, Word, Outlook, and Lync.  
• Requires moderate level computer knowledge and experience with Windows based operating system.  
• Must collect, enter, and update data into ChildPlus.net an existing Head Start management program with minimal training.
• May collect, enter, and update data into Teaching Strategies GOLD an existing online early childhood assessment program with minimal training.
• Must perform simple maintenance to keep computers operational.