Early Childhood Services Specialist

Oakland Family Services • Pontiac, MI

1h • $35,000 - $40,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Early Childhood Services Specialist connects families with appropriate early childhood services and supports the Early Childhood Services department. The role maintains current knowledge of home visiting programs, including admission and eligibility criteria, and interviews customers and prospective customers to help them choose services based on their needs. It reports to the Early Childhood Services Manager.

The Specialist coordinates referrals, screenings, assessments, evaluations, and program intakes for Early On, Parents as Teachers, and other home visiting programs. The position also supports record keeping, file audits, enrollment, referral-source communication, supply ordering, mail distribution, and fax management. The Specialist works with the team to identify family needs and remove barriers to services, and may occasionally visit client homes or contact families outside typical business hours.

The role incorporates diversity, equity, and inclusion in work processes and promotes a welcoming, accepting environment for clients and staff. Oakland Family Services offers hybrid work options and describes a collaborative, supportive team culture.

Requirements

• Associate degree in human services, business, or a related field, with knowledge of early childhood development.
• Well-developed verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain good relationships with people inside and outside the agency.
• Ability to accept supervisory direction and work independently on assigned tasks.
• Skill in office procedures, data entry, and human services.
• Sensitivity to the diversity of the agency's service population, including differences in culture, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.
• Provide documentation of personal vehicle liability insurance with minimum coverage of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident.
• Provide annual documentation of a valid driver's license and proof of vehicle registration.
• Obtain a chauffeur's license within sixty days of hire if required based on the nature and frequency of driving.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree.

Responsibilities

• Maintain working knowledge of programs and services available within the department and agency.
• Accept and track incoming calls and inquiries from customers about Early On, Parents as Teachers, and other home visiting programs.
• Receive Early On referrals from Oakland Schools and departmental referrals by telephone, fax, or email.
• Schedule Early On screenings, assessments, and evaluations; complete related paperwork, send informational letters and documents, and track forms.
• Receive Parents as Teachers and departmental referrals by telephone, fax, or email.
• Schedule Parents as Teachers program intakes and complete related paperwork, send informational letters and documents, and track forms.
• Assign and enter case-specific information on tracking forms and appropriate charts.
• Assist with managing and maintaining record-keeping systems as defined by contractors or funders.
• Conduct clerical audits of files to check required timelines.
• Work with referral sources to facilitate referrals, promote program services, and streamline referral processes.
• Facilitate admission and enrollment and obtain demographic and enrollment information from customers as indicated.
• Follow program-specific protocols, including Early On and Parents as Teachers referral and case-assignment protocols.
• Identify current trends and family needs.
• Partner with the team to identify and eliminate barriers to services.
• Periodically serve as a second set of eyes during initial Early On evaluations in client homes; driving to client homes may be required.
• Occasionally work evenings to visit client homes or contact families unavailable during typical business hours.
• Order program supplies in conjunction with the program manager, manage mail distribution, and manage incoming and outgoing departmental faxes.
• Incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into work processes and job functions, and promote a feeling of welcome, belonging, and acceptance for clients and staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• Retirement plan with company match
• Generous paid time off, including 12 paid holidays
• Professional development
• Hybrid work options
• Flexibility promoting balance between work responsibilities and personal commitments

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree