Family and Community Service Worker

Summary: The Tri-County Opportunities Council Early Head Start/Head Start Program serves 483 expectant mothers and children ages birth to five in the nine Illinois Counties of Bureau, Carroll, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, Ogle, Putnam, Stark, and Whiteside. The program offers comprehensive child and family development services to those deemed eligible. The program’s primary goals are to partner with parents to promote self-esteem, increase self-confidence, and advance school readiness skills for children. Comprehensive programming includes education, medical, dental, mental health, and nutritional services; welcomes children with disabilities or special needs; and provides family education, advancement, and social service support while connecting enrolled families to community resources and transportation assistance. The program offers various options to meet the needs of children, families, and communities throughout all nine counties.

Mission Statement: T.C.O.C. Head Start is committed to taking the leadership role in developing partnerships to build stronger communities. We create and nurture supportive experiences that lead to successful outcomes for children, families, and staff.

Agency Name: Tri-County Opportunities Council

Program Name: Early Head Start/Head Start Program

Job Title: Family and Community Service Worker

Reports to: Family Specialist

Status: This is a non-exempt, hourly position. Full Time, Part Year Position

Educational Requirements: As prescribed in section 1302.91(a)(7) of the Act, a program must ensure staff who work directly with families on the family partnership process hired after November 7, 2016, have within eighteen (18) months of hire, at a minimum, a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field.

Other Requirements:

• Employment is contingent on a cleared criminal background check (national database), a cleared background check as per the Department of Children and Family Services Licensing Standards, and the successful completion of the 90-day probationary period.
• Must pass a general physical examination and TB screening at the time of hire and every two years after that. Provide proof of completed MMR and Tdap vaccinations.
• Must be able to enter and exit internal and external spaces safely and with ease
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, twist, push, pull, and occasionally perform moderate lifting
• Ability to be punctual and maintain regular attendance
• Ability to adjust to new situations (adaptable)
• Ability to manage time and multitask (work as a team and be self-directed)
• Ability to anticipate happenings, problem-solve, and offer viable solutions
• Ability to apply practical and responsive interpersonal skills
• Must be technology proficient
• Must obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR Certification
• All other duties as assigned

If hired, employees without the required credits/credentialing will be required to sign a professional development plan upon hire with a designated timeline for completion.

Confidentiality: The person filling this position must abide by the program’s confidentiality policy and Code of Ethics regarding children, family, staff, and agency matters

Accountabilities: Integrate parent and family engagement strategies into systems and program services that support family well-being, promote children’s learning and development, and increase the likelihood of individual and family stability. Establish and maintain ongoing collaborative relationships and partnerships with community organizations that lead to the regular recruitment and enrollment of eligible pregnant persons and children ages birth to five.

Adhere to internal and external policy, procedure, and best practice

• DCFS Licensing Standards
• Head Start Performance Standards
• Child and Adult Care Food Program
• OSHA
• T.C.O.C. Early Head Start/Head Start Policy and Procedures
• T.C.O.C. Human Resource Policy and Procedures

Support the mission, goals, and objectives of the Tri-County Opportunities Council Community Action Agency and, more specifically, the Early Head Start/Head Start program.

Essential Duties:

• Use strength-based attitudes and reflective practice to engage families
• Evaluate family well-being, including but not limited to family health, safety, and economic stability, by using the Family Partnership Agreement process
• Work together with families to set family goal/s. This is done through identifying skills, assessing strengths, examining stressors, exploring strategies, tracking progress, and celebrating successes
• Collect and log high-quality data to track progress toward family outcomes
• Establish and maintain collaborative partnerships with community organizations that connect children and families to community resources (for example, medical, dental, and MH professionals, school districts, homeless liaisons, food pantries, and homeless shelters)
• Locate, contact, and recruit eligible families through active and regular PR efforts
• Determine, verify, and document family eligibility. Once enrolled, ensure the child/family are actively engaged and have regular attendance.
• Track and enter data (for example, parent gauge responses, transition-related activities, family contacts, PIR information, referral and referral results)
• Collect, review, approve, and generate sources of non-federal dollars.
• Facilitate family engagement events, parent committee work, and policy council reporting
• Implement parenting curriculum to fidelity

Benefits:

• Dental Insurance (Must work 20 hours/per week)
• Vision Insurance (Must work 20 hours/per week)
• Life Insurance (Must work 20 hours/per week)
• Health Insurance – 2 Plans (Must work 30 hours/per week)
• Partially Paid Family Medical Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Sick Time
• Paid Time Off
• Retirement Savings Plan
• Career Advancement Opportunities

For current staff applying for a different position, the wage is base pay (based on current qualifications) plus 1% for each year of previous agency employment.

Tri-County Opportunities Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provider. Applications from women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people from diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $17.07 - $22.74 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Associate (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Ottawa, IL 61350 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $17 - $23