Family Specialist

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 Specialist

Reports to: Family and Community Service Manager

Status: 40 Hours/Per Week. Full-Year.

Educational Requirements: Minimum of a bachelor’s degree, preferably in Family Services, Child and Family Services, or Social Work. Previous supervisory experience is required.

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: Regularly review and evaluate program services while proactively ensuring compliance with existing and new regulations. Oversee the application of the essential duties outlined for Family and Community Service Workers, observe the integration of parent and family engagement strategies, monitor systems and direct family services, and establish and maintain ongoing collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.

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:

• Monitor the family service component, including the direct supervision and training of Family and Community Service Workers
• Review, provide feedback, and track the completion of Family Partnership Agreements, Family Goals, Family Outcomes, Early Head Start/Head Start School Readiness Transition Plans, Parent Gauge, and general data entry
• Ensure Family and Community Service Workers initiate, maintain, and increase community partnerships
• Attend, provide feedback, and ensure Family and Community Service Worker compliance in facilitating Parent Committee Meetings and Engagement Events
• Ensure the Parenting Curriculum is implemented to fidelity
• Collect, review, approve, and advance sources of non-federal dollars
• Collect, track, and obtain the results of internal DCFS Hotline calls
• Manage the enrollment and completion of the Family Development Credential certification course (required of newly hired/unqualified FCSWs)
• Co-facilitate Site Discussions
• Provide annual training (family service specific and program-wide)

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: $23.46 - $32.31 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:

• Bachelor's (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Rock Falls, IL 61071 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $23 - $32