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Head Start Family Support Specialist

Ypsilanti Community Schools
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POSITION SUMMARY:SUMMARY:
The Head Start Family Support Specialist, under general supervision, provides consistent and multi- faceted support to the children and families being served through the Head Start program. This position works with families to develop and achieve Family Partnership Goals, often serving as a resource in this process. The Head Start Family Support Specialist provides families with a front line contact to address any issues or concerns that may arise relating to the education of an enrolled child. This position is heavily rooted in social services and requires detailed knowledge of community resources available to those being served in Head Start.
 
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (Other duties may be assigned.)

  • Assists in ensuring maximum enrollment for the Head Start program and the creation and maintenance of a waitlist by actively recruiting families within the community.
  • Assists families throughout the enrollment process (completing paperwork, obtaining documents, scheduling needed physical and dental exams among other possibilities), in some cases meeting with families off site or in their homes to complete their application packet.
  • Works with families, on an individual basis, to encourage, motivate and assist them in improving the conditions and quality of life.
  • Assists families in developing ways to break down barriers keeping them from becoming active and engaged members of their community.
  • Assists families in carrying out health and social service recommendations or referrals, in some cases attending appointments with families.
  • Maintains an accurate, up to date family service record on each assigned Head Start child.
  • Serves as a liaison between the Head Start family and Head Start Center the child is attending.
  • Promotes and assists in providing parent engagement in all facets of the Head Start Program.
  • Facilitates home visits as needed.
  • Provides social-emotional and behavioral support to children within the classroom.
  • Participates in the transition process for children exiting the Head Start program and entering the K-12 school district.
  • Provides training for volunteers, and at times, Policy Council and/or Parent Committee members.
  • Attends meetings and completes all required training.
  • Serves on various committees, task forces or other countywide workgroups, as directed.
  • Performs such other tasks as may from time to time be assigned by the supervisor.
  • Regular predictable attendance.

 
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • N/A

 
QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Alternative requirements that may be appropriate and acceptable to the Board of Education may be considered.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

  • Bachelor’s degree Human Services, Social Work or Early Childhood required.
  • Experience working in a Head Start program is preferred.
  • Comprehensive experience and an excellent knowledge of the Federal Head Start Program, policies, procedures, rules and regulations related to Head Start including Performance Standards, Grant and Service Plans.
  • Knowledge of early childhood programs, related services (i.e., health, dental/oral health, mental health, human services, etc.) and financing.
  • Experience working with low-income and high risk families.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills.
  • An understanding of the needs of and demands faced by Head Start families.
  • A genuine empathy for and understanding of families with young children.
  • Excellent records management skills and practices.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Excellent organizational, leadership and interpersonal skills.
  • Experience working as part of a team.
  • Knowledge of administrative practices and procedures, including filing and business letter writing.
  • Excellent data management and assessment skills.
  • Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

  • Current valid driver’s license and reliable transportation is necessary to ensure completion of duties required.

 
LANGUAGE SKILLS: 

  • Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with other departments, agencies and individuals.
  • Ability to read, analyze and interpret periodicals and professional journals.
  • Ability to write reports and business correspondence.
  • Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of educators, customers, and the general public.
  • Ability to express self clearly, both orally and in writing.

 
TECHNICAL SKILLS: 

  • Demonstrated proficiency in the use of a personal computer (PC) or MAC in a networked environment to utilize the Internet and other electronic communications mechanisms such as email, conferencing, bulletin boards, etc.
  • Excellent knowledge of productivity applications such as Microsoft Office (word processing, spreadsheets, database and presentation software) and other technology to support efficient and effective office operation is required.
  • Ability to read and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, governmental regulations and forms.
  • Ability to integrate technology into the everyday work flow is necessary.
  • Ability to implement new technologies.

 
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

  • Ability to apply the concepts of basic math, algebra and geometry consistent with the duties of this position.

 
REASONING ABILITY: 

  • Highly proficient in subject areas of: problem solving, organizational dynamics and emotional intelligence.
  • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
  • Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
  • Exhibit high level of professionalism with the ability to handle confidential information, use good judgment, plan and handle complex projects and maintain a flexible attitude.
  • Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.

 
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

  • Ability to work independently with management guidance.
  • Possess excellent customer service and communication skills with a family-centered focus.
  • Ability to build rapport with others and to serve diverse populations.
  • Ability to take the initiative, work well with others as a collaborative team member and exhibit good communication skills.
  • Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with other departments, agencies and individuals.

 
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.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  
 
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk, see and hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is continuously repeating the same hand, arm or finger motion many times. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds such as books and training material. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distant vision and the ability to adjust focus. Frequent travel and/or driving to various off-site locations is required. The position requires the individual to sometimes work irregular or extended work hours and meet multiple demands from several people.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTABILITY:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  
 
The noise level in the work environment is quiet to loud depending upon the activity in the particular part of the day. The employee may be required to be outdoors for periods of time, and therefore subject to varying weather conditions, for purposes of accomplishing the essential functions of this job.
 
FUNCTIONS OF POSITION DESCRIPTION:
This position description has been prepared to define the general duties of the position, provide examples of work and to detail the required knowledge, skills and ability as well as the acceptable experience and training for the position.  The description is not intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the duties of employees under supervision.  The Ypsilanti Community Schools retains and reserves any and all rights to change, modify, amend, add to or delete from any portion of this description in its sole judgment.
 
This position description is not a contract for employment.
 
The Ypsilanti Community Schools is an equal opportunity employer, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.  The District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
 
TERMS: 
Contract, salary and other employment conditions to be established by the Board of Education.
 
 
It is the policy and commitment of the Ypsilanti Community Schools not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation or any legally protected characteristic, in its educational programs, activities, admissions, or employment policies in accordance with Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, executive order 11246 as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and all other pertinent state and Federal regulations.
 
 
 
The Ypsilanti Community School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, genetic information or any legally protected characteristic, in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities.