Home Visitor

Missoula Early Head Start a site of Ravalli Head Start, Inc.

Hours: 30 hours a week | Monday thru Friday

Benefits: This is a benefit-eligible position that includes employer-paid health insurance, low-cost voluntary benefit options such as dental, vision, life insurance & long-term disability insurance; vacation & personal leave; paid holidays; & 401k eligible after 1 year of employment. Ravalli Head Start Inc. qualifies as a public student loan forgiveness employer!

JOB SUMMARY: This position is responsible for conducting weekly home visits to promote the role of the parent as the primary teacher and nurturer of their child. This position engages the family in strengthening their child’s healthy learning and development and supporting the overall well-being of the family. This job is currently temporary but has the possibility of turning into a permanent position.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Supervised by the Early Childhood Development/Disabilities Manager
• Works closely with other Early Head Start staff.
• Has frequent contact with parents, families, and community partners

PROFESSIONALISM/HUMAN RELATIONS

• Must maintain confidentiality. Use discretion and confidentiality with matters of families and programs as appropriate. A signed confidentiality agreement form is required.
• Establish and maintain a relationship of trust with Early Head Start families.
• Establish and maintain professional boundaries with families when handling program and personal issues.

Communication techniques and expectations:

• Model effective communication
• Use appropriate channels and staff to problem-solve and refer families.
• Meet problem situations with understanding and diplomacy.
• Use a professional attitude and approach to working with parents, families, co-workers and community volunteers. Participate and promote a positive working relationship with all staff and Early Head Start families.

WORKPLACE CONDUCT

• Must attend and actively participate in required meetings, workshops, training, in-service training, committees, etc.
• Initiate and assume responsibility for own learning to keep current of job-related issues and best practices.
• Seek training and/or assistance to implement improvements when needed.
• Support all program activities, know and promote the goals and objectives of Ravalli Head Start Inc. Be familiar with and adhere to the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS).
• Be familiar with and adhere to Program Policies and Procedures.
• Cooperate with co-workers and respect their opinions and contributions.
• Share materials and ideas readily with co-workers.
• Able to manage time and prioritize a busy schedule.
• Able to practice stress management that is job-related.
• Be prepared and punctual for meetings and work.
• To ensure continuity of care and respect for co-workers, consistent attendance is required.
• Communicate with supervisor and co-workers as appropriate if an absence is necessary.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assess the specific strengths and needs of each pregnant woman, family, and child.
• Prepare Home Base lesson plans.
• Perform developmental assessment and screening of infants and toddlers within the required time frame.
• Collect and conduct assessment and evaluation data at appropriate times and on schedule.
• Assess, in collaboration with families and community agencies, the nutrition, growth, and development of enrolled infants and toddlers.
• Develop family partnership agreements that identify the strengths, goals, and needs of each family on the assigned caseload.
• Plan and implement the home-based curriculum that is developmentally and culturally appropriate for each family.
• Plan, schedule, and reschedule weekly home visits, family canceled home visits, and staff cancellations to meet evolving needs of each family.
• Maintain a sanitary and safe environment for infants and toddlers by cleaning, sanitizing (with chemicals), organizing, moving toys, and equipment, trash removal, laundry, and sweeping. Additional duties may include raking, shoveling, and movement of equipment on the outdoor playground.
• Notify Early Childhood/Dev Disabilities Manager of education supplies needed.
• Encourage parents and families to participate in parent involvement activities the program offers.
• Involve parents and families in the educational activities of the program to enhance their role as the principal influence on their infant/toddler’s education and development and to increase their understanding, skills, and experience in child growth and development.
• Provide resources and support to enhance parent/child relationships and parents’ knowledge of hygiene, nutrition, child development, guidance, nurturing dental health, and safety.
• Prepare for and supervise parent/child interaction groups for parents and children.
• Implement transition activities to provide seamless services for families and children into Head Start or other placements as determined by the family.
• Collaborate with Family and Community Partnership staff and community agencies to access prevention and intervention programs and services to meet the needs of families.
• Be prepared and on time for required staffing meetings, education meetings, and all other meetings and training.
• Ensure designated follow-up is complete.
• Maintain accurate and current health records of enrolled children.
• Inform the Health and Nutrition Manager of each child/pregnant woman’s ongoing health status.
• Involve parents and families in the health process by providing information about health screenings.
• Notify parents of screening results and track follow-up care.
• Assist as needed in scheduling appointments for families with community agencies.
• Communicate with supervisor regarding home visitation schedule.
• Any other duties assigned per request of Early Childhood Development/Disabilities Manager and/or Director.

RECORDKEEPING

• Maintain accurate, objective records in Child Plus and update those records as necessary and on schedule.
• Maintain updated documentation which includes lesson plans, assessments, family partnership agreements, HELP documentation, and other program documentation.
• Document pertinent information and submit it to the appropriate staff.
• Oversee collection of In-Kind records of assigned caseload and submit monthly.
• Submit bi-monthly time sheets, attendance reports, and monthly travel forms in a timely manner.
• Complete and submit other documents as required.

TRAINING

• Attend in-service training as scheduled, including required state childcare licensing training and Montana STARS to Quality training within the designated time frame.
• Obtain First Aid and CPR certification during the probationary period and keep current.
• Obtain knowledge of state and federal regulations pertaining to child abuse and neglect and abide by reporting standards.
• Apply to the Early Childhood Project’s Practitioner Registry within 15 days of hire and remain current on the registry.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Must have a valid Montana Driver’s License, an acceptable driving record, and proof of auto insurance.
• Must have a telephone or other means of immediate communication

EDUCATION

A Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development or a related field and experience planning and working with infants and toddlers, preferably in Early Head Start. Other combinations of education and experience will be evaluated on an individual basis. Preference will be given to individuals with experience in Human & Family Development, Family Systems, and Home Visiting.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to maintain confidential information
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work well with staff, infants, and toddlers, parents, families, and outside agencies
• Ability to be flexible, open-minded, and take direction well
• Knowledge of infant & toddler development and assessment.
• Ability to implement and follow plans
• Awareness of family development and family systems
• Awareness of home visitation and adult learning theory

SPECIAL AND/OR PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Ability to work with cleaning/sanitizing chemicals and equipment Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Sufficient mobility and strength to repeatedly sit, stand, carry infants/toddlers, balance, stoop, walk, bend, reach, kneel, crouch, crawl, and have a full range of body motion
• Clear vision for close tasks such as working with computers, keyboards, screens, and paper documents
• Sufficient manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination to perform job duties
• Must provide proof of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccination and documentation of receipt of a Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) vaccination.
• The position is within a business office and child care setting with computers, printers, miscellaneous office equipment, and varying noise levels.
• Have reliable transportation to ensure consistent attendance and to travel to home visits, if necessary (we provide work vehicles to travel to home visits).
• May be required to work outside of regular business hours as necessary and to meet the needs of individual families.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $23.03 per hour

Expected hours: 30 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Evenings as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $23