Bilingual Family Support Specialist

Bilingual Family Support Specialist (Full-Time)

Title: Bilingual Family Support Specialist

Supervised by: Director of Child & Family Learning

Status: Exempt, Salaried, Full-time

Date: December, 2024

ORGANIZATION HISTORY

VOCEL is a non-profit early childhood education organization that equips and supports parents, teachers, and school leaders to strengthen early learning in their homes and schools. With a core focus on brain-building playful learning, VOCEL designs and implements group learning programs across Chicago, prioritizing under-resourced neighborhoods that have experienced decades of disinvestment. On a mission to help ensure every child has the foundation to learn, grow, and lead, VOCEL is committed to raising the bar for early childhood excellence in Chicago and propelling children citywide to social, emotional, language, and academic success. 

THE OPPORTUNITY

Having completed a five-year strategic plan that focuses on the growth in size, scope, and impact of family-facing programming, VOCEL is poised to accelerate its two-generation early learning programing for more families across Chicago and Chicagoland and deepen its impacts in child development knowledge and caregiver competence and capacity. Rooted in that vision, the Family Support Specialist will enhance this effort by supporting caregivers of children ages 0-4 with resources, knowledge of child development, and ongoing opportunities for connection and community-building. This role is critical to the two-generation model, allows for skill-building in facilitation and early childhood, and can have a meaningful impact on families around Chicago.

WHAT YOU’LL DO: ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Director of Child and Family Learning, this position will (1) facilitate adult discussion groups and co-facilitate two generation classes with Teacher, (2) provide individualized support for caregivers to assist them in identifying areas of strength, goals for further development, and connecting them to resources, (3) facilitate parent workshops on early childhood development topics, and (4) build relationships across diverse populations in service of the belief that all children and families deserve and can succeed. Because VOCEL is a small organization, the Family Support Specialist can expect to work closely with the VCPA team, Director of Partnerships, and general program team.

1.  Facilitate adult discussion groups and co-facilitate two generation classes with teacher (40 - 50% of the position)

• • Facilitate regular Caregiver Discussion groups, in English and/or in Spanish, that offer a welcoming and supportive space for all and share knowledge of early childhood development
  • Serve as a co-facilitator in the child-adult classroom with Teacher, supporting learning through play
  • Model responses to children’s words, sounds and gestures (with narration, repetition, extension, questions, etc.); act as “language builders,” bringing high levels of conversation and vocabulary into all classes
  • Data-entry in Salesforce tracking program targets including, but not limited to member enrollment, engagement, assessments, etc.
  • Support planning of and carry out Family Events
  • Coordinate classroom supplies, activities, and discussion points with co-Teacher and other VCPA Family Support Specialists to prepare for each session

2.  Provide individualized support for caregivers to assist them in identifying areas of strength, goals for further development, and connecting them to resources (20-30% of the position)

• In conjunction with caregivers, identify areas where additional resources may benefit child/children, caregiver, and/or family’s well being
• Offer flexibility and empathy to support caregiver, child, and/or family
• Provide individualized support during or after class times to address children and caregivers’ specific goals, with support from the other VCPA staff as needed
• Connect with Family Support Manager, Director of Child & Family Learning, and VCPA Staff to refer families for additional resources, support counseling, etc.
• Conduct developmental screenings for children as requested by caregivers

3.  Co-facilitate parent workshops (10% - 20% of the position)

• Co-lead workshops for parents at Chicago-area schools based in topics of early childhood development
• Data-entry in Salesforce tracking targets, including but not limited to, attendance, engagement, assessments, etc.

4.  Build relationships across diverse populations in service of the belief that all children and families deserve and can succeed (15-20% of the position)

• Acknowledge and celebrate the many diverse backgrounds and experiences in the VOCEL community and encourage members to share stories, traditions, and values
• Listen to, learn about, and connect with individual children and caregivers through conversation and shared activities
• Validate primary caregivers as their child’s first and best teacher and honor their individual and family cultures, experiences, and perspectives
• Provide support to children, caregivers, and families in the ways that they identify wanting support

5.  Miscellaneous (10% of the position)

• Perform clerical responsibilities and other duties as assigned
• Participate in required staff, committee, and/or Board meetings
• Provide support for development events
• Provide support for and attend recruitment events, as requested by Director of Partnerships 
• Protect the organization by keeping information confidential
• Other duties as assigned

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This role is full-time, with a minimum of 36 hours a week and not to exceed 40 hours per week.
• The daily schedule will be dependent on VCPA classes and program needs, but can be expected to fall between 7am and 5pm Monday through Friday. Some evening and weekend hours may be required. Local travel in the Chicagoland area is to be expected and regular travel within Chicago is expected.
• This position operates in multiple contexts: an office environment with wireless internet and limited space, on-site at VCPA partner sites, and remotely throughout the city and at home. 
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers (laptops), photocopiers, scanners, filing cabinets, and common office supplies as well as software including Google Suites, Canva, Slack, etc.
• This position requires a reliable cell phone with the capability to add apps for communication with participants and staff, i.e., Slack, Bamboo, etc.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be regularly expected to:
  • communicate with colleagues, partners, caregivers and children
  • position self in proximity to members while in programming; this can include kneeling, stooping, sitting on the floor, standing, sitting, play with children, etc. with assistance or accommodations as needed
  • operate office equipment
  • use apps in the Google suite, including but not limited to Calendar, Drive, Gmail, and Meet
  • move and transport supplies, with assistance or accommodations as needed

• VOCEL offers a smoke- and drug-free environment.
• Employee will be required to provide documentation of U.S. citizenship or eligibility to work in the U.S. 
• Equal Opportunity Employer. All decisions and criteria governing the employment relationship with all employees are made in a non-discriminatory manner, without regard to race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, military service, order of protection status, physical, mental, or neuro disability, or any other factor determined to be unlawful by federal, state, or local statutes. 

WHAT YOU BRING 

This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is interested in working in an entrepreneurial and collaborative organization that is highly focused on its mission.  

Background and experience we’d like to see:

• Knowledge and/or experience working with children ages 0-5
• Personal vehicle and ability to drive throughout the city required
• Experience using and/or demonstrated proficiency using common office equipment, apps, and programs including, but not limited to those in the Google Suite
• Ability to speak, read, and write proficiently in English and Spanish is required
• Minimum two years’ experience in a professional role with demonstrated results.

The ideal candidate demonstrates:

• Alignment with VOCEL’s core values (https://www.vocel.org/core-values)
• Strong facilitation skills
• Willingness to play and interact with children
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including skill in using email and social media
• Commitment to cultural sensitivity, equity, self-reflection, and growth
• Patience and willingness to provide support to others
• Entrepreneurial spirit and flexibility
• Strong attention to detail and customer service
• Asset-based mindset
• Eagerness to continuously learn

VOCEL offers a competitive compensation package including: 

• Salary of $51,147 - $53,000 per year, at 36 hours per week
• Health, dental, and vision insurance (50-60% covered by VOCEL)
• IRA with employer matching up to 3%
• Technology reimbursement 
• Mileage reimbursement 
• Generous paid time including:
  • Paid holidays (10 days) with opportunity to swap holidays for personal/religious observance 
  • 12 days of elective paid time off per year 
  • Winter and Spring breaks, aligned with CPS school calendar
  • Up to 5 paid sick days 
  • Up to 5 paid self, family, and community care days
  • “VOCEL Fridays” (staff work an abbreviated workday ending at 1pm)

TO APPLY:

• Follow instructions at this link  
• Incomplete applications will not be accepted
• No phone calls please 
• Deadline is January 3, 2025

Salary : $51,147 - $53,000