Early Learning Multnomah Bilingual Family Navigator

United Way Of The Columbia-Willamette•Portland, OR

22h•$50,141 - $64,272•Hybrid

About The Position

The Bilingual Family Navigator plays a vital role in advancing equitable early learning outcomes by ensuring families—particularly those who face systemic barriers—have access to free, high-quality early learning opportunities, including the state-funded Preschool Promise program. This position communicates with families in both English and Spanish and helps families find publicly funded preschool and early learning opportunities that meet their needs, supports them through the application and eligibility process, and connects them to additional community resources. The Bilingual Family Navigator also conducts outreach and participates in community events to build relationships with community partners, connect with families and increase awareness about early learning opportunities. This role communicates with and supports preschool providers participating in the Preschool Promise program and the ELM hub coalitions. In addition, this position contributes to ongoing improvement efforts by sharing insights about families and preschool providers to help strengthen outreach, enrollment, and engagement strategies. Working closely with the Senior Manager of Coordinated Enrollment and Community Engagement and the Coordinated Enrollment Manager, this role is part of Early Learning Multnomah, one of Oregon’s 16 Early Learning Hubs that connects and coordinates services for young children and Families. Funded by the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), the Hubs are designed to align early learning and care services for children from birth to age six—especially those facing barriers due to race, income, language, or geography. By centering family voice and aligning priorities, funding and services, the Hubs bring local leaders together to build shared vision and collective action for equitable outcomes. United Way of the Columbia-Willamette (UWCW) serves as the backbone agency for Early Learning Multnomah. This is a grant-funded position.

Requirements

Associates degree with two years related working experience; or bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
2+ years customer service or comparable work experience heavily interacting with the public and collaborating with other departments
Bilingual in English and Spanish for both reading and writing is required
Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
Technical Knowledge Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Outlook required (currently used organizationally).
Flexible; ability to change focus and priorities easily and prioritize and multi-task in a fast-paced environment
Ability to meet deadlines based on customer needs
Accuracy, thoroughness, and exceptional attention to detail
Strong spelling, grammar, punctuation, and proofreading abilities
Strong organization and planning skills
Ability to work independently with little or no supervision
Exceptional follow-through
Proactive, able to anticipate problems and plan solutions
Ability to review own work, recognize problems and errors, and determine appropriate corrective action
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form
Ability to handle confidential material in a professional manner
Takes initiative, anticipates needs, and works well independently and as part of a team
Results-oriented, self-directed, and personally accountable for expectations, timelines, and measures
Ability to work effectively with culturally diverse individuals and collaborators
Ability to work comfortably in a high activity environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience in an educational or family services agency setting such as a preschool or childcare is a plus.
Experience working or volunteering with community-based organizations or nonprofit organizations desired
Proficiency with project management software preferred

Responsibilities

Support families through the full application process, including identifying and discussing documentation that verifies income, age, and residency eligibility.
Guide families through uploading required documents to the website, either in person, over the phone or via email
Provide individualized assistance when families submit incorrect documentation or face unique circumstances, helping resolve issues promptly and compassionately.
Respond to phone calls, texts, and emails from families with questions about Preschool Promise (PSP) deadlines, program details, the application process, or specific PSP providers.
Serve as the primary point of contact for families with concerns about their application review, placement, or program options.
Provide exceptional, family-centered customer service throughout the application and enrollment process, maintaining family confidentiality
Communicate with families in both English and Spanish, with strong verbal and written communication skills in both languages
Work with families and PSP providers to resolve issues, advocate for family needs and address any challenges
Identify opportunities and attend community events to promote Preschool Promise and increase family participation.
Connect families to additional supports and services, such as food banks, libraries, or SNAP benefits, as needed.
Participate in team planning sessions focused on outreach, enrollment, and community engagement.
Contribute to literacy projects and the development of outreach materials for Preschool Promise families.
Contribute to the improvement and expansion of Preschool Marketplace as a resource for families to find and navigate early learning opportunities
Represent United Way values, brand identity, and community investment perspective in all relations with individuals and community groups
Build relationships that strengthen service delivery
Seek opportunities to build relationships across Early Learning Multnomah and the early learning system
Collaborate with Coordinated Enrollment team to develop and update bilingual messages for families including application confirmation, outreach, enrollment information and advertisements
Partner with PSP providers to collect program details and photos to support outreach and enrollment communications