Head Start Family Advocate

Kitsap Community Resources’ Head Start and Early Head Start programs are looking for passionate team members who want to help children and families thrive. We are not childcare; we are early learning. Our team partners with families to build strong foundations for school readiness, healthy development, and lifelong success. If you’re excited about making a real difference in your community and supporting children during their most important years of growth, we’d love to have you join our team.

Please apply at kcr.org/career-opportunities/. If you need assistance with your application please contact Human Resources.

Job Title: Family Advocate
Department: Early Learning & Family Services
Fixed Hourly Wage: $21.03
Position Type: Full Time, Non-Exempt, Monday- Friday
Direct Supervisor: Child Development Site Supervisor
Work Environment: Works with young children and families in classroom setting, playgrounds, and on learning trips. May require travel to other Head Start sites.
Work Site: Rosemary Moen

Job Summary

This position is responsible for outreach, recruitment, enrollment, and case management in the Early Head Start and Head Start programs. The Family Advocate will have a working knowledge of community resources available to low-income families. Works directly with families to set and achieve goals and plan for the future.

KCR Mission, Vision, & Core Values

Mission:
Kitsap Community Resources (KCR) is a nonprofit, private, social services agency. We are committed to creating hope and opportunity for all low-income Kitsap County residents by providing resources that promote self-sufficiency and stability.

Vision:
We exist with a clear vision of creating a community where everyone has an opportunity to thrive.

Core Values:
Kitsap Community Resources core values are a vital part of each position, and employees are expected to uphold them to the fullest.

• Integrity – taking care to honor our commitments in an ethical manner
• Compassion – genuinely empathizing with those we serve
• Excellence – demonstrating a high level of performance in all we do
• Diversity – showing honor and respect to all individuals we serve
• Collaboration – so we seek out partnership opportunities
• Teamwork – supporting our employees and partners as we fulfill our mission

Job Requirements

Qualifications:

1. Required Education: High School Diploma/ GED and credential or certification in social, human, or family services.
2. Required: Must be available to work during site operating hours Monday through Friday. Employee schedules may change on short notice due to the needs of the site.
3. Bi-lingual a plus.
4. Experience working with low income families and crisis intervention.
5. Experience working with people from diverse socio-economic and educational backgrounds.
6. Ability to pass State and/or Federal Background Checks as determined by position (prior to hire date).

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

1. Must demonstrate recognition and compassion for low-income peoples.
2. Must be aware and sensitive to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).
3. Demonstrated ability to input, aggregate and analyze data including generation of accurate and complete reports.
4. Demonstrated successful experience in preparing and processing documentation following relevant process and guidelines ( such as purchase requests, requests for payment, etc.).

License(s) and/or Certifications:

1. Valid Washington State Driver’s License (to operate company vehicles and/or utilize other vehicles for company business)
2. Ability to obtain proof of insurability for operating an automobile (to operate company vehicles and/or utilize other vehicles for company business).
3. First Aide/CPR certification (within 30 days of employment)
4. Food Worker Permit (within 90 days of employment)
5. Initial physical exam (within 90 days of employment)
6. Tuberculosis (TB) Testing (upon employment and before contact with children, testing done before hire will not be recognized)
7. Current Immunizations per Washington Administrative Code (can be obtained upon hire)

Essential Physical and Mental Functions

1. Be able to physically match the activity level of an infant, toddler, and/or preschool aged child.
2. Position requires intermittent sitting, standing, walking, twisting, and bending
3. Must be able to get down on the child’s eye level and floor
4. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds
5. Simple grasping and hand manipulation required as well as reaching above and below shoulder level.
6. Must be able to withstand exposure to noise in a classroom setting
7. Must be able to build secure, nurturing relationships with children and families
8. Cognitive ability to recognize and address safety concerns
9. Cognitive and emotional ability to work directly with clients in need, which may include homelessness, mental health issues, substance abuse, or other mental or physical barriers.
10. Must be able to work outside in a variety of weather conditions
11. Cognitive ability to discern accuracy and apply to work as necessary.
12. Physical and cognitive ability to operate a motor vehicle.
13. Must maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance during all scheduled shifts.

Key Responsibilities- Included but are not limited to

1. Reports to and accepts assignments from the Child Development Site Supervisor and Child and Family Service Manager.
2. Coordinates with Enrollment Coordinator to maintain classroom enrollment.
3. Assist with recruitment and community outreach as assigned by your Site Supervisor and/or the Family and Community Engagement Specialist.
4. Provide direct support services for families, including information, referrals and follow up.
5. Uses available tools such as reflective practices, trauma informed care, or motivational interviewing to mentor and set goals with families.
6. Conduct home visits to families as program or need require.
7. Identify program, agency, or community resources and referrals required to meet the social services needs of children and their families and work with the family to advocate for services.
8. Provide crisis intervention with families and follow up.
9. Assist in the recruiting of site Policy Council representatives.
10. Maintain current and up to date files and data systems.
11. Coordinate, schedule, and attend site parent meetings. Encourage parent participation.
12. Create and send monthly parent newsletters highlighting site activities.
13. Assist in the classroom as necessary.
14. Participate in meetings, conferences, training sessions and workshops as assigned.
15. Ensure compliance with KCR Policies and Procedure, Head Start Performance Standards, Federal and State regulations and Washington Administrative Code (WAC) for the Child Care Licensing.
16. Promote positive parent engagement and community involvement within the organization.

Work/Life Balance

KCR offers a robust benefits package to support balance between work and life outside the workplace.

1. Vacation, Sick, Personal Holiday, and other time off for life events such as Jury Duty, Bereavement, etc.
2. $25 per paycheck medical premium contributions for the employee only. 100% employer paid Dental, Vision, Life, Long-term and Short-term Disability for employee only (dependents can be covered through payroll deduction)
3. 6.5% Employer Contribution to 401K after first 12-18 months of employment
4. Employee Assistance Program
5. Employee Wellness Program
6. Employee Growth & Development Training Programs
7. Communicates regularly with co-workers and supervisor/manager to relate wellness levels and awareness

All duties and requirements listed in this job description are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position; employees will be requested to follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. Kitsap Community Resources reserves the right to determine the contents of KCR job descriptions.

Kitsap Community Resources is an “at-will” employer.

KCR recognizes that ideas come from a varied mix of minds, backgrounds and experiences. KCR is committed to attracting and retaining a varied and highly skilled staff, by honoring experiences, perspectives and unique identities of the community in which we serve. KCR provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, nation of origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, disability, veteran status or any other protected category under federal, state, and local law.

KITSAP COMMUNITY RESOURCES (KCR) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. KCR is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment.

All employment decisions at KCR are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex, pregnancy, age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. KCR will not tolerate discrimination or harassment.