Family Support Advocate

Salary:
High School Diploma/GED $17.24/hour
Family Credential $20.00/hour
Associate’s Degree $23.00/hour
Bachelor’s Degree $25.00/hour

FLSA Status : This is a non-exempt position.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
This position works 240 days per year, 7.5 hours per day. Schedules may vary due to work assignments and projects.

Department: Early Learning

Location:
Avondale Head Start, 2302 Ocoee Street, Chattanooga, TN 37406 (main office) or other site based on program needs.

SUMMARY:
Chattanooga Head Start is a grant-funded program, and is subject to reapplication every 5 years.

Family Support Advocates are responsible for enrolling eligible children and families to receive Head Start services according to Performance Standard guidelines. This position interacts directly with parents and guardians of children participating in the Head Start program. Family Support Advocates provide guidance, support, and educational opportunities to strengthen families and empower them to be better advocates for their children in the future.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities.

Complete paperwork for enrollment of children, including gathering supporting documentation and processing applications to comply with Head Start Performance Standards.

Attend and participate in recruitment events as needed to ensure full enrollment.

Maintain consistent and compassionate communication with parents and families during the time their child is enrolled in the program.

Achieve and maintain full enrollment.

Complete Family Partnership Agreement, work with family on goal setting and document progress.

Monitor and follow-up on child attendance, required health checks, and other Head Start program participation requirements.

Enter family information into ChildPlus database to meet required deadlines while ensuring a high degree of accuracy.

Maintain confidentiality of information while working with families and children.

Provide educational information to parents and families, including but not limited to health information, child and family development, community resources, and educational resources and opportunities.

Build relationships as an advocate for Head Start within the greater Chattanooga area.

Work cooperatively with other other content areas to deliver comprehensive services to families and ensure program goals and requirements are met.

Supervises children as a fill-in for educators to prevent classroom closure and/or undue hardship on center.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.

Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

High School diploma or GED required.

AA or BA in Social Work, Family Studies, or related degree preferred.

Bilingual candidates preferred (additional compensation offered for bilingual proficiency).

If an applicant does not have a minimum of an AA degree in Social Work, Human Services, Family Studies or related area, applicant will be required to complete the SSCBT credential within 18 months of hire to comply with Head Start Performance Standards requirements.

Experience Preferred – (2) Years related work experience in social work/education setting with an emphasis on the ability to determine eligibility, tracking and follow up of services provided to children and families.

Any combination of equivalent experience and education to perform the essential functions of the position will be considered.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS: None.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Knowledge of general computer and office equipment operation, including email, copiers, faxes; Google Suite programs and cloud-based applications; working with families in a support-driven capacity. Previous experience in a social services setting preferred; Head Start and/or Head Start Performance Standards a plus.

Skills in communicating effectively with a diverse group of families; organizational and time management; engaging with families and building trust-based relationships; experience with federal, state, or grant-funded programs, including meeting mandated deadlines and following regulations; general office skills including filing, data entry, records management.

Ability to follow instructions to ensure accuracy and consistency with meeting Head Start requirements.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Positions in this class typically require: walking, standing, reaching, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Medium Work - exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Safety Sensitive: N
Department of Transportation - CDL : N
Child Sensitive: Y

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

All employees must maintain Tennessee residency from the date of hire.

This position requires a pre-employment background check, physical, drug screen, and TB screening questionnaire and/or test depending on results of TB screening questionnaire.

The City of Chattanooga, Tennessee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer .

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