Community Educator

SGA YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES NFP•Chicago, IL

About The Position

The Community Educator builds positive relationships with families and connects them with community resources, educational opportunities, and services that promote children’s healthy development, school readiness, and family well-being, with a particular focus on nutrition and nutritional options. The role works collaboratively with program staff, families, community partners, and service providers to promote meaningful family engagement and help families access resources and opportunities that support their goals. The position supports families of infants, toddlers, and young children through community outreach, educational activities, parent workshops, family events, support groups, referrals, and follow-up. The Community Educator collaborates with Home Visitors, Family Advocates, coordinators, and other program staff, and maintains accurate documentation while protecting family confidentiality and following applicable requirements. The schedule may be flexible and may include some evenings and weekends. A valid driver’s license, access to a car, and willingness to drive are required.

Requirements

Associate degree in Early Childhood Education, Human Services, Social Services, Health, Family Studies, Education, or a related field.
Experience working with families with children from birth to three years old.
Experience with Early Head Start, home visiting, or other early childhood programs.
Experience facilitating parent education groups or workshops.
Knowledge of community resources and referral systems.
Experience working with families who may face barriers related to housing, transportation, employment, language, or access to services.
Sensitivity to cultural diversity and ability to communicate and cooperate with diverse families, professionals, and community groups.
Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment in executing tasks.
Ability to establish helping relationships with families from varied educational, experiential, and socioeconomic backgrounds and to handle emergencies and crises.
Competence with Microsoft Office tools and entering services in an online database.
Focus on trauma-informed programming, including crisis response and support.
Effective time-management and organizational skills.
Valid driver’s license, access to a car, and willingness to drive.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Human Services, Social Services, Health, Family Studies, Education, or a related field.
Bilingual ability.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain positive, respectful, and culturally responsive relationships with families of infants, toddlers, and young children.
Conduct community outreach and engage families who may benefit from early childhood education and family support services.
Provide individual and group educational activities on child development, parenting, health, nutrition, safety, school readiness, and family well-being.
Support parents in understanding their role as their child’s first and most important teacher.
Facilitate parent workshops, family events, support groups, and community education activities.
Help families identify their strengths, needs, interests, and goals, and develop strategies to achieve those goals.
Connect families with community resources, including health, mental health, nutrition, housing, employment, education, and other social services.
Follow up with families regarding referrals and help them navigate community resources when needed.
Promote family participation in program activities, parent meetings, socializations, and community events.
Collaborate with Home Visitors, Family Advocates, coordinators, and other program staff to support comprehensive services for children and families.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation of family contacts, outreach activities, referrals, workshops, and other services.
Protect family confidentiality and follow agency, program, and applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
Participate in staff meetings, professional development, trainings, supervision, and program planning activities.
Establish and maintain relationships with community organizations and partners to strengthen referral networks and family services.
Participate in program recruitment, enrollment, and community outreach activities as needed.
Support families in accessing educational materials, developmental resources, and activities appropriate to their children’s ages and developmental stages.
Promote inclusive practices and ensure services respond to families’ cultures, languages, strengths, and individual needs.
Travel to community events and sites; a valid driver’s license, access to a car, and willingness to drive are required.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Program Coordinator or Program Director.