Family Educator

Easter Seals Blake Foundation•Safford, AZ

About The Position

Easterseals Blake Foundation is hiring a Family Educator to mentor families and support them in becoming their child’s first teachers. The role serves families with children from birth to age three, as well as expectant mothers. Work takes place in clients’ homes, in the office, and at other locations, with daily travel to client homes and community resources. The Family Educator works with a caseload of 10–12 families and conducts weekly home visits of at least 1.5 hours per family, along with bi-monthly group socialization experiences. The position supports family goal-setting, child development, health, safety, nutrition, referrals, and transitions to other educational programs. It also involves recruitment and enrollment, documentation and reporting, collaboration with families and community partners, and participation in professional development. The role requires regular communication with agency staff, families, and external agencies, and may require additional hours or days depending on circumstances.

Requirements

A Home Visitor Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or an associate degree in Early Childhood or a related field is required.
Experience working with young children and families is required.
Applicants with nonrelated degrees may be considered if their transcript reflects 21 credits in Early Childhood Education or a related field, subject to funder approval.
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Must have a current, unrestricted Arizona driver’s license, with no more than two minor moving violations or one accident within the past three years.
Three years of driving experience is required.
Must have transportation for daily home visits, training, and other work-related activities; organizational vehicles may not always be available.
Must pass a criminal background check before employment and regular checks throughout employment.
Must be able to obtain and maintain an Arizona DPS Level 1 fingerprint clearance card; the employer provides it.
Must have CPR and First Aid certification or obtain it within three months of starting; the employer provides it.
Must have a Food Handlers Card or obtain it within one month of starting.
Must provide an initial and current negative TB test result, with the current result dated within 12 months; the employer provides testing.
Must complete a physical exam before starting; the employer provides it.
Must provide an immunization statement before starting.
Able to establish and maintain a team atmosphere of communication and collaboration.
Self-directed and sensitive to cultural and linguistic diversity.
Able to provide excellent customer service in stressful situations.
Maintains professional appearance, communication, and conduct.
Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
Able to work with families in an empathetic, nonjudgmental, respectful, and professional manner.
Knowledge of Office of Head Start policies, practices, and performance standards.
Knowledge of developmentally appropriate early childhood practices, family dynamics, family-centered practices, and community resources and networking.
High level of computer proficiency.
Able to travel daily to client homes and other locations.
Able to lift normal office equipment and materials up to 25 pounds.
Visual acuity to read computer screens and forms and assess client and child well-being; clear speech; hearing for in-person, phone, or electronic communication; and manual dexterity for typing and writing.
Able to stoop, squat, reach, pull, push, stretch, ascend and descend stairs, and stand or sit for long periods.
May be required to work additional hours or days depending on circumstances.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Education (Early Childhood or Special Education), Social Work, Family Studies, or a closely related field.
Bilingual Spanish skills.

Responsibilities

Assess each family’s strengths, capacities, and needs; help identify family achievements and goals; follow up and encourage progress; and document the process in family partnership agreements.
Participate in recruitment to maintain enrollment and the waiting list, and ensure full enrollment of the assigned caseload.
Plan, conduct, evaluate, and document weekly home visits with parents for 10–12 families, with each visit lasting at least 1.5 hours.
Complete weekly Home Visit Plans and submit them to the supervisor monthly.
Submit required paperwork within required timeframes, including end-of-month reports, Child Plus data, accident reports, assessments, and early intervention documentation.
Identify community resources and connections that can help families progress toward their goals, independence, and self-sufficiency.
Help families obtain identified services and coaching, explain referral processes, and follow up on referral outcomes and family satisfaction.
Promote parental involvement and implementation of Early Head Start curriculum, parent involvement, governance, health, nutrition, safety, and family services.
Support families in understanding and completing program health, safety, and nutrition requirements.
Collaborate with families to regularly complete developmental screening and assessment for enrolled children.
Provide intentional, collaborative, safe, and high-quality group experiences with parents, community volunteers, and children.
Plan, deliver, and evaluate bi-monthly group socialization experiences with parents.
Share information about each child with parents, facilitate meaningful ongoing discussion, and help families advocate for their children.
Transport families when appropriate to and from community resources or other activities.
Assist families in planning transitions from family-based programming to center-based and other educational programs.
Participate in ongoing professional development and meetings.
Maintain comprehensive communication with agency contacts, members, and external agencies.
Model professional standards and ethics in accordance with EBF’s Code of Conduct, Strategic Plan, Mission, and Vision.
Perform other duties as assigned.