Early Head Start Home Visitor (Non-permanent, classified)

CCS Spokane • Spokane, WA

11d • Hybrid

About The Position

Spokane Colleges Head Start/ECEAP/Early Head Start provides care and support for more than 1,600 children and their families. We offer safe and secure learning environments for children to grow and develop their skills to succeed in elementary school and beyond. We are dedicated to working with low-income families and involve parents and families in developing the goals of each Head Start center including centers on the Spokane Falls Community College and Spokane Community College campuses. We also serve the children of eligible students while they attend college.

Under general supervision of the Center Manager, the Home Visitor is responsible at the site level for providing educational services and support to infant/toddlers and their families through a combination of weekly home visits and twice-a-month socializations as defined in the Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) Federal Performance Standards. The primary role of the EHS Home Visitor is to facilitate the role of the parent as the child’s first and most important teacher, and to support the family in understanding and using the home as a learning environment for their child. This position will provide resources and coordinate services in the areas of child development, health, nutrition, and social services, working in partnership with the parent in implementing educational curriculum for their infants and toddlers. This is a non-permanent classified position. Not to exceed 18 months.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Human Development, or closely related field with coursework in early childhood education or social sciences.
• Infant/Toddler positions may require additional coursework and training depending on the type of educational degree completed.
• Employee is expected to acquire the necessary educational credentials within 12 months of hire.
• Knowledge of early childhood education theory and practices, including child development, developmentally appropriate practices, primary caregiving, observation and ongoing assessment, individualizing, planning, special services, referrals, developing and maintaining a classroom environment and routines, and child management.
• Knowledge of early childhood health and safety standards and practices, nutrition, adult learning principles, parenting education and family dynamics.
• Knowledge of health and social service delivery systems within the community and the skills to link families with appropriate agencies and services.
• Ability to understand and utilize data in decision-making and program implementation.
• Ability to utilize office computer programs and maintain accurate and thorough electronic and manual files and records.
• Ability to obtain 30 hours of STARS basic training or provide proof of exemption.
• Ability to be self-directed and focused on all aspects of work.
• Ability to work collaboratively with peers, community agencies and within the college system.
• First aid/CPR certification (or ability to obtain when training is offered by Spokane Colleges).
• Requires local or regional travel.
• Criminal background check is required.
• Person hired must be able to provide acceptable documentation of U.S. Citizenship or lawful authorization to work in the United States.
• Must be able to successfully work in and promote a multicultural work and education environment.

Nice To Haves

• Two or more years of experience in early childhood education working with children ages one month to three years, pregnant mothers, and their families.
• Experience with primary caregiving and attachment and bonding theory.
• Experience working with low-income families from a variety of cultural groups, especially English Language Learners (ELL).
• Experience providing in home assessment services.
• Knowledge of ChildPlus database.
• Experience working with adult learners.

Responsibilities

• Schedule, plan and conduct weekly 90-minute child focused home visits for each enrolled child and/or prenatal parents that promote the parent’s ability to support the child’s cognitive, social, emotional and physical development and reflects the changing needs of infants and toddlers.
• Provide postpartum visit as required.
• In partnership with parent, conduct screening and ongoing assessment of their child’s development within established timelines; track progress using assessment results and program’s home-based curriculum to jointly plan child development goals, experiences and individualized learning opportunities, including children with disabilities.
• Create and maintain respectful, professional and culturally responsive partnerships with families.
• Promote positive parent-child interactions and support development of parenting skills.
• Promote and assist parent/family engagement in planning and implementing with parent for home visits, group socializations experiences, participation in program governance, and the overall Head Start/EHS program.
• Orient families to program services; assess, develop, and coordinate Family Strengths and Partnership Agreements (FSPA)/family goals, identify parent education/interests, food allergy information, disability support services, and other resources in EHS component areas.
• Plan, present, facilitate, and evaluate children’s activities during parent-child socializations.
• Coordinate socialization classroom workflow, assign tasks, direct, and monitor the work of classroom aides, parents and volunteers.
• May provide feedback and evaluate the progress of student teachers in a classroom setting.
• Promote and protect children’s health by adhering to IHP (Individual Health Plans) and special diet needs.
• Attend to children’s personal needs and model routine care as a component of classroom socializations.
• Conduct health screens for vision, hearing, height, weight, and head circumference; assist families in obtaining well child exams, dental exams, immunizations; and other health screenings or treatment as needed or required.
• Provide relevant health resources on topics such as physical development, breastfeeding and nutrition, oral health practices and injury prevention and safety as needed.
• Establish and manage thorough and current confidential files for each enrolled child and family documentation.
• Enter and maintain electronic database of service provision for assigned caseload and program reports.
• Provide information about community resources and support families in connecting with mental health consultants or other community agencies and organizations as needed.
• Act as a liaison and advocate between community resources and families.
• Recruit, determine eligibility, register and enroll families.
• Maintain enrollment waitlist.
• Request, purchase and maintain supplies to support child development goals.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships within the community; represent and promote HS/EHS at community events and committees, as assigned.
• Assist families in crisis and make referral to appropriate resources.
• Participate in essential meetings and trainings.
• Model professional decorum and mutual respect in all personal interactions.
• Comply with district policies, procedures and directives, state and federal regulations, orders and statutes and collective bargaining agreements.
• Support and advance Spokane Colleges’ strategic plan and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, life and long term disability insurance benefits are provided as currently administered under Public Employees Benefits Board; WA State Retirement Plan; vacation and sick leave begin to accrue at the rate of 11.33 hours vacation and 8 hours sick leave per month, upon employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level