Family Advocate, Head Start

Muskegon Area Intermediate School District

Job Description

JOB TITLE:          Family Advocate, Head Start

CLASSIFICATION:   Professional

REPORTS TO:    Services Specialist - Family Services

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:
All candidates must apply online at www.muskegonisd.org/jobs/.

TERMS:
This position is a 210 total paid days position offering single subscriber medical, dental, and vision benefits. Dental, vision, and life insurance are paid by the district at no cost to the employee. Personal business days, holidays and sick time paid. Retirement through the Office of Retirement Services (Pension Plus or Defined Contribution).

SALARY RANGE:
This position is on the Early Childhood Center Scale that is grant funded, $19.1514 for a CDA per hour, $20.8725 for an AA per hour, $22.5816 for a BA per hour. Due to grant funding, there are no negotiations available on this hourly rate.

GENERAL JOB FUNCTION:

The Family Advocate engages families/caregivers of Head Start children in order to assist the family unit to best prepare their child(ren) for a successful entry into kindergarten.  Relationships are built with families/caregivers, developing partnership goals focusing on children’s healthy development and early learning.  Family Advocates must be knowledgeable of the principles of child health, nutrition, early learning, safety and family dynamics.  Skills in communicating with and motivating family members are essential.  Functions are to be completed in compliance with all relevant Head Start Program Performance Standards.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Within 18 months of hiring, at a minimum, a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field,

a.    Preference in hiring to be provided to those individuals with a minimum of two years of professional experience working in an early childhood environment and/or working with families with young children.  Demonstrated knowledge and experience in child development and early childhood education.

1. The ability to work and communicate effectively with parents and young children.
2. Knowledge of and working relationship with local community service agencies.
3. Strong organizational and record-keeping skills.
4. Successful pre-employment physical exam including tuberculosis screening and criminal background record check.

PREFERRED COMPETENCIES:  A MAISD Instructional Employee Skillfully Demonstrates 

• Understanding the Organization:
  • Serves as a strategic partner to build, grow and maintain profitable and long-lasting relationships with key stakeholders
• Building Collaborative Relationships:
  • Finds common ground and drives to consensus
  • Takes a proactive approach to relate, build and maintain rapport with stakeholders
  • Understands interpersonal and group dynamics and responds in an effective manner
• Making Complex Decisions:
  • Is respected by others for displaying student-focused decisions
  • Takes a proactive approach as an effective liaison between multiple and diverse stakeholders
• Taking Initiative:
  • Identifies and seizes new opportunities with a student focus
  • Adapts quickly to changing resource requirements
• Being Authentic:
  • Provides direct and actionable feedback
  • Shows consistency between words and actions
• Being Flexible and Adaptable:
  • Remains calm and productive in uncertain situations
  • Takes on the challenge of unfamiliar tasks

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Partners with families/caregivers to develop family partnership goals which ultimately promote a child’s readiness for a successful entry into Kindergarten.  Actively monitors progress toward achievement of family partnership goals.
2. Communicates and partners with children’s classroom staff to best serve families/children and understand needs.
   1. Works in coordination with classroom staff to promote good attendance habits, providing intensive support to those families with children with poor attendance.
3. Have broad knowledge of community resources and link families to appropriate community resources as needed.
4. Conducts home visitations with assigned families, scheduling in a manner which prioritizes high need families.
5. Maintains extensive record keeping of child’s progress in accordance to Head Start Program Performance Standards and program policies and procedures.
6.  Attend/assist in planning monthly family meetings and other family-related events.
7. Assists with the identification and recruitment of families eligible for Head Start services.
8. Attends and actively participates in staff meetings and professional development opportunities as assigned.
9. Upholds the Head Start Code of Conduct.
10. Conducts such other tasks and assumes other responsibilities as may be assigned.

NOTABLE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Driving is required for home visitations.  Occasionally required to lift up to 30 pounds.

OPPORTUNITY FOR ADVANCEMENT:

TYPICAL WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed at the early childhood center location and at families’ homes.

EVALUATION:

Employees in this classification are evaluated prior to the completion of probationary status and according to Board policy thereafter.

TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS:

Occasional local and non-local travel.

PAY STRUCTURE:  

Commensurate with MAISD wage and benefit schedule.

It is the policy of the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District that no staff member, candidate for employment, program participant, or recipient of services shall experience discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation or transgender identity) disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category (collectively "Protected Classes”), in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities. Inquiries related to issues of discrimination on the basis of disability should be directed to the Director for Special Education at (231) 767-7249. All other discrimination inquiries or requests for special accommodations to participate in a program, event, or activity should be directed to the Associate Superintendent for Human Services at (231) 767-7213.