Parents as Teachers Educator (25-26 School Year)

Purpose

The job of Parent Educator is done for the purpose/s of providing support to the instructional program with specific responsibilities for working with parents, pregnant mothers and their children to age five, promoting their involvement and providing information and/or direction; assisting parents in goal setting and educational development; developing and refining program materials; and referring families to other agencies.

This job reports to Parents As Teachers Coordinator (Woodland Early Childhood Center Principal)

Essential Functions

• Administers developmental screening programs, domain specific evaluations, etc. (e.g. Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), Dial-3, Dial-4 effective August 2013, etc.) for the purpose of assessing student competency levels, summarizing results, and/or developing individual learning plans.
• Assesses student and family needs (e.g. financial, medical, parenting skills, etc.) for the purpose of developing and implementing individualized plans of services to support educational objectives.
• Compiles student/family information for a variety of uses (e.g. state reporting, determining eligibility, outside agency use, etc.) for the purpose of providing information to determine eligibility for services.
• Conducts parent meetings (e.g. parenting classes, child evaluation results, resources referrals, etc.) for the purpose of gaining and/or providing information and/or discussing needs and problems involving students and their families.
• Coordinates activities with a variety of outside services agencies, school sites, etc. (e.g. Early Childhood Center, First Steps, Success by Six Resource Centers, Department of Family Services (DFS), Baby Grace Buckner, United Methodist Church, Church of the Nazarene, Hope House, etc.) for the purpose of assisting parents of eligible children to gain access to early intervention services.
• Counsels parents and guardians through home visits for the purpose of providing developmental information, solving problems, resolving conflicts, referral to appropriate professionals, community agencies and enhancing probability of student success in school.
• Distributes materials to families, schools, child care centers, health care providers (e.g. home packets, parenting resources, prescreen charts, etc.) for the purpose of providing information on available programs/services.
• Maintains a variety of confidential and non-confidential manual and electronic lists and records for the purpose of providing an up-to-date reference and audit trail for compliance with state and district guidelines.
• Models parenting techniques, conversation, manners, clean up activities, listening skills, etc. for the purpose of demonstrating appropriate social and interpersonal behavior.
• Monitors family services after eligibility for the purpose of providing ongoing services to eligible families.
• Organizes and presents parent workshops and meetings for the purpose of decreasing parental isolation and developing parent involvement with their child's educational activities.
• Participates in a variety of meetings, workshops and committees (e.g. staff meetings, scheduled screenings, group events, training classes, etc.) for the purpose of conveying an/or gathering information required to perform job functions and remaining knowledgeable with program guidelines.
• Prepares a variety of documents, reports and written materials (e.g. narrative reports, DESE reports, screening documents, activity logs, phone logs, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information to parents, staff; providing written support, developing recommendations and/or conveying information.
• Recruits children and families for the purpose of assessing their needs for early intervention programs.
• Refers students and their families to outside agencies (e.g. state agencies, medical professionals, counselors, foundations, charities, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the need of students and families are met.
• Responds to potential emergencies encountered during home visits for the purpose of ensuring safety of students and/or personnel.

  Other Functions

• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

SKILLS are required to perform multiple tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: operating standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications; preparing and maintaining accurate records; and adhering to safety practices.

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math; read technical information, compose a variety of documents, and/or facilitate group discussions; and solve practical problems.  Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: pertinent codes, policies, regulations and/or laws; community resources and principles of a community services program; school educational programs; and fluency in local dialects.

ABILITY is required to schedule a number of activities, meetings, and/or events; gather and/or collate data; and use basic, job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined and similar processes; and operate equipment using defined methods. Ability is also required to work with a diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with a variety of data; and utilize specific, job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to identify issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is limited. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adapting to changing work priorities; communicating with diverse groups including those with varying levels of education; maintaining confidentiality; setting priorities; meeting deadlines and schedules; and working as part of a team.         

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under direct supervision using standardized procedures; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others;  utilization of resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions. There is some opportunity to effect the organization’s services.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling,  some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 20% sitting, 50% walking, and 30% standing.  The job is performed under minimal temperature variations and under conditions with some exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.

Experience:  Job related experience is desired.

Education: Bachelors degree in job-related area.

Equivalency:  The following may be acceptable in lieu of Bachelors Degree:

*Two-year associate degree or two-year certificate program in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or Nursing and demonstrated ability in working with young children and their parents;

                                  OR

*Sixty (60) semester hours or more of credit from an accredited university and two years of successful experience in a program working with young children and their parents as approved by DESE;

                                  OR

*Five years of successful experience in a program working with young children and their parents as approved by DESE is recommended.

Required Testing:  Yearly mandated trainings

Certificates and Licenses:  Parents As Teachers Certificate

Continuing Educ. / Training:

Continuing Education Requirements

Maintains Certificates and/or Licenses                                      

Clearances

Criminal Background Clearance

Children's Division (DSS) Clearance

FLSA Status:  Non Exempt