Best Starts for Kids - Subsidy Access and Support Lead

Position: Best Starts for Kids - Subsidy Access and Support Lead

Hiring Salary Range: $62,185.00-$69,807.00

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Report To: Best Starts for Kids - Subsidy Access and Support Manager

AGENCY SUMMARY:

BrightSpark Early Learning Services has been at the forefront of the early learning landscape for over 30 years, ensuring that all children have equitable access to safe, engaging, and positive early learning experiences that promote school readiness and lifetime success. With a staff of over 140 and a budget of $60 million (99% publicly funded), BrightSpark Early Learning Services provides a broad array of services for families and childcare providers so that they can support the development and well-being of our children.

OPPORTUNITY:

The Best Starts for Kids (BSK) Subsidy is a voter-approved initiative to help every child in King County access high-quality early learning opportunities. This program is designed to support families who are ineligible or not well-served by existing subsidy programs. This program prioritizes families experiencing challenges to access childcare and, in doing so, seeks to advance equity and eliminate disparities.

The Best Starts for Kids (BSK) Subsidy Access and Support Team is committed to excellence for our community by providing efficient, expert service on every interaction. The Lead is responsible for implementing and executing all planned program activities and processes. The lead position is the supervisor for this team, ensuring all of their responsibilities are carried out while developing the team as a whole and individually.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensure clear, timely, inclusive service and support for families and childcare providers across multiple channels by managing the team to provide expert, culturally relevant advice and support professionally and confidently.
• Utilize quality assurance metrics to understand individual and team performance and case resolution and, when needed, identify strategies for improvement.
• Train, mentor, and coach team members so that they are equipped to execute the work as planned and have the necessary tools. Develop emergent and ongoing training as needed.
• Caseloads, call schedules, and follow-up to ensure that families' and providers’ needs are responded to effectively, sensitively, and in a timely manner.
• Receive and resolve elevated issues.
• Learn BridgeCare thoroughly and internal BrightSpark data tools to support the team and program.
• Trusted messenger who supports individual staff and overall team well-being, enhances performance, and providing consistent coaching and mentoring
• Plays a crucial role in offering regular development and reinforcement feedback and overseeing the progress of staff throughout the agency
• Instrumental in both the personal and professional development of their teams.
• The position requires flexibility to be in the office 2-3 times per week for at least the first 90 days, with the possibility of ongoing regular office attendance. This presence is essential for maintaining effective team dynamics and facilitating direct supervision.
• Demonstrate flexibility to attend occasional community events, providing outreach to parents and community partners. This aspect of the role is crucial for building strong relationships with the community and enhancing the visibility and impact of the program.
• Provide continuous training and professional development opportunities for Enrollment Specialists to ensure they are well-equipped with the latest knowledge and skills necessary for effective program enrollment. This includes regular updates on policy changes, hands-on training with the BridgeCare software, and strategies for enhancing customer engagement and satisfaction.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 5 years of relevant experience; OR an Associate of Arts degree in Social Work or a related field and 4 years of related work experience; OR a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work or a related field and 3 years of related work experience; OR a master’s degree in social work, and 2 years related job experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Bilingual in English and Spanish or Somali languages.
• Knowledge of best practices in case management and
• Experience with homeless or mental health services with knowledge of trauma informed care practices
• Knowledge of early childhood development, childcare, and other early learning supports

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Qualifications

• 3-5 years of supervisory experience of multiple staff, preferably using reflective supervision
• Understanding of King County and Pierce County resources for families
• Knowledge of how to navigate the local and statewide early learning childcare system.
• Skilled in working in a collaborative team environment as well as across teams within an organization.
• Experience working with individuals from a variety of diverse backgrounds and income-levels, and facilitation skills that navigate differing perspectives and find ways to move forward.
• Understanding of structural and institutional racism, and experience keeping anti-racism, accessibility, and cultural consciousness at the core in decision-making
• Experience and confidence working with a variety of software, such as the full MS Office suite, (including strong Excel skills), Adobe Acrobat, OneDrive, SharePoint, Caseworthy and MS Teams.
• Washington State Driver’s License, auto insurance, and access to a reliable automobile

COMPETENCIES:

• Core Competencies -
  • Mission-driven: Demonstrates commitment to the mission and values of the mission.
  • Equity mindset: Demonstrates the values of anti-racism; fosters an inclusive environment that facilitates diversity.
  • Communication: Uses skillful written and oral communication with internal staff, teams, and community served; demonstrates empathy and listening.
  • Adaptability: Adapts and responds to change; proactively seeks opportunities to be supportive of change that serves our mission
  • Ownership and quality of work: Manages own work and work of teams when relevant, ensuring delivery of successful outcomes.
• Leadership Competencies -
  • Decision-making: Structures and facilitates decision-making processes; makes decisions responsibly to improve organizational health and impact; gathers and weighs all sorts of data (qualitative, quantitative, historical, etc.)
  • Supports the development and motivation of others: Actively supports the development and motivation of others to maximize individual, team, and agency impact.
  • Continuous-improvement mindset: Identifies strategies to improve the organization’s impact; sets course and drives implementation.

COMPENSATION:

• Hiring Salary Range: $62,185.00-$69,807.00
• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
• This is a full-time salaried position requiring work during BrightSpark Early Learning Services Business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am-5 pm, and requiring a willingness to work some evenings and weekends.

BrightSpark will determine the specific salary for the successful candidate based on factors including, but not limited to, budget available, prior experience, skill, and education as they relate to the position’s qualifications and internal racial equity. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total compensation package.

Other components of the total compensation package may include participation in group life, health and dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program(s), paid time off, and paid holidays.

BENEFITS:

BrightSpark Early Learning Services’ benefits package includes employer-paid top-tier medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for employees, 21 days of PTO per year in addition to 11 paid holidays, 3 paid floating holidays, birthday holiday, and one week-long office closure at year-end, Refresh Fridays in July (BrightSpark Early Learning Services Closure Days), flexible work environment, employer-paid life insurance, short-term disability/illness leave accrual, and 401k with 3% employer match.

WORK LOCATION:

• This position is a Hybrid
• Hybrid positions at BrightSpark require at least two days in the office per week. However, these days may change based on individual positions and department needs.
• BrightSpark Early Learning Services employees in all types of work positions (hybrid, community, etc.) must attend training, meetings, events, or other work commitments at various BrightSpark Early Learning Services office locations or off-site locations in Washington State, including the New Employee Orientation in Kent, Washington.

EQUAL EQUITY EMPLOYER:

BrightSpark Early Learning Services is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity among our staff. We strongly encourage people of color, immigrants and refugees, people from the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, and people from other historically marginalized groups to apply.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & QUESTIONS

• To learn more about BrightSpark Early Learning Services, please visit BrightSpark.org
• BrightSpark Early Learning Services is a grant-funded nonprofit organization. This and all positions are contingent on grant funding being in place and can end based on the expiration of funding.