Program Intake Representative

City of Seattle•Seattle, WA

23h•Hybrid

About The Position

Early learning for children is emerging as one of the key social justice issues of our time. Ensuring that children have access to high-quality programming and education during their formative years can profoundly impact their future education. The Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) actively supports numerous Early Learning programs throughout Seattle. As part of our commitment to DEEL’s mission, we are seeking a Program Intake Representative who will serve as one of the primary points of contact for Seattle families seeking childcare assistance and preschool services across the city. Working within the Department of Education & Early Learning (DEEL), you will act as a Program Intake Representative. In this role, you will play a vital part in connecting with families to process their application materials and determine their eligibility for both the Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) and the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). Your responsibilities will include assisting families with enrolling into these programs and verifying their application materials. As a representative of DEEL, you’ll need to be knowledgeable about the specific requirements for each program. You’ll work with a diverse range of families, including those from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds, refugees, and heritage language speakers. It’s crucial to be comfortable addressing issues related to race, social justice, poverty, equitable access, and gatekeeping.

Requirements

Two years of college education in a social science, education, or a related field
Two years of experience interviewing or counseling clients, or in community outreach, preferably in a social service setting OR Three years of experience interviewing or counseling clients, or in community outreach, preferably in a social service setting

Nice To Haves

An experienced interpreter of policy and committed to serving families in the community.
Passionate about service and relationships with sometimes high-needs clients.
Humble and ready to collaborate, even if the answer wasn't your idea.
Team-centric, enjoying working with teammates as well as producing strong independent work.
Fiercely detail-oriented and organized in your work.
Comfortable with technology and tapping into its potential to help provide better service.

Responsibilities

Determine clients’ program eligibility by: Communicating with Families: You’ll engage with families, review their documentation, and assess their eligibility for childcare assistance and preschool programs.
Guiding Families: You’ll explain program guidelines and eligibility requirements to families.
Providing Information and Referrals: Families often seek guidance on available services. You’ll provide valuable information and referrals, connecting them with resources offered by other agencies.
Calculating Income: You'll calculate household income based on documents provided.
Providing Language Support: Working with interpreter services, you’ll assist heritage language speakers in completing the enrollment process.
Doing Follow-Up: You’ll follow up with families to ensure they complete the enrollment process and collect any missing documentation.
Assisting clients by: Providing Community Outreach: Conducting outreach activities, including presenting information to community groups and governmental agencies.
Supporting Child Care Providers: You’ll work closely with preschool and childcare providers, providing them with necessary support during the enrollment process.
Completing associated administrative duties, such as: Monitoring Caseload: Monitoring caseloads and handling childcare subsidies, including closing enrollments when necessary and explaining denials to families.
Writing Correspondence and Recommendations: You’ll prepare correspondence, including crafting recommendations for the Program Intake Manager. These recommendations will address families’ requests for “exceptions to policies.”
Maintaining Record Keeping: Maintaining accurate records is essential. You’ll fill out forms, update records, and coordinate the completion of separate forms for each applicant.
Database Management: Utilizing a database, you’ll manage information efficiently. Ensuring data integrity is vital, as it contributes to effective decision-making and streamlined processes.