Parent Educator

First Step Family Support Center has an opening for a full-time (40 hours per week) combined Parent Educator/Family Support Specialist position in Clallam and Jefferson County. Parent Educators are responsible for providing parent education, coaching and support to parents throughout Clallam and Jefferson County through home visitation, both in person and virtually, using the evidence-based Parents as Teachers model and curriculum. Family Support Specialists provide individualized strategies and support for families to develop parenting skills where at least one parent experiences an intellectual or developmental disability. Types of Supported Parenting services may include parent education, parent coaching, and supportive strategies in areas critical to parenting (i.e., child development, nutrition, health, safety, money management, time, and household management).

First Step Family Support Center’s mission is to increase the well-being of children and families on the North Olympic Peninsula by collaborating with caregivers and the community to access resources, supports, and skills that build family strengths. First Step Family Support Center’s Parents as Teachers Program strives to embrace and strengthen families with children by promoting growth through education, information, referrals, and opportunities to share experiences.

Parent Educator Duties include:

1. Conducts biweekly home visits with families, either in person or virtually, on a caseload of families, adhering to model fidelity standards set by Parents as Teachers National.

2. Establish and maintain ongoing relationships with families while maintaining professional boundaries and ethics.

3. Facilitates parent-child interactions and partners with families in understanding the importance of the parent-child relationship in relation to development.

4. Conducts annual developmental, social-emotional, and health screenings with families, following up with any necessary referrals if needed.

5. Works with families to assess immediate needs and connect them with community resources as needed.

6. Maintains up-to-date client files which include screenings, assessments, health, and demographic information.

7. Work with PAT team to plan and provide monthly parent group connections gatherings for PAT.

8. Utilize the Maternity Support Services program to provide safe sleep and child passenger safety education to families.

9. Meet with supervisor a minimum of twice monthly for reflective supervision sessions.

10. Meet with supervisor as necessary to discuss procedures, protocol, and other administrative processes to ensure quality record keeping, data entry, and quality provision of services to families.

11. Participate in the PAT program’s weekly staff meetings, along with quarterly First Step All-Staff meetings.

12. Complete annual required competency-based professional development hours to remain certified as a Parents as Teachers parent educator.

13. Attend other trainings and meetings as required by First Step.

14. Represent First Step Parents as Teachers at various community events that support families when assigned by supervisor.

15. Support the philosophy and mission of First Step Family Support Center.

Family Support Specialist Duties include:

1. Manage a caseload of up to 6 families

2. Establish trusting relationships with families

3. Conduct regularly scheduled in-person visits with families on caseload

4. Provide advocacy for parents when needed

5. Perform case management activities according to First Step policies and procedures

6. Assist families in developing and meeting goals based on their individual needs

7. Work closely with other community service providers to coordinate services

8. Provide transportation as needed

9. Assist families in accessing concrete goods and services as needed

10. Provide information and referrals for community resources as needed

11. Participate in scheduled supervision, staff meetings, and required training

12. Maintain client files and regular visit/chart notes

13. Complete and submit detailed notes for each visit with family in a timely manner

Education and Work Experience Requirements

1. High school diploma or equivalency and two years’ previous supervised experience with young children and/or families. First Step acknowledges the value of lived experiences and welcomes applicants of all backgrounds.

2. Experience supporting families with children preferred.

3. Experience supporting families with intellectual/developmental disability preferred

4. Ability to work independently and as part of a team cooperatively and cohesively with other staff members

5. Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Additional Work Requirements

1. This program will require the parent educator to attend a two week-long virtual training.

2. Knowledge of basic computer skills including but not limited to navigating the internet, typing, and utilizing virtual meeting programs.

3. Program requires prolonged sitting and standing, including sitting on the floor at client’s homes.

4. Occasional stooping, bending, lifting, and reaching. Employee must be able to lift and transport up to 25 pounds.

5. Employee must be able to climb stairs and sit on the floor as part of their regular work as a home visitor.

6. Employee must have a reliable car, driver’s license, and current insurance. Agency cars are available for use for performing work duties.

7. Employee must be comfortable visiting families in their homes and delivering educational services in a non-judgmental/strengths-based manner.

8. Employee must be well organized and be able to keep up with various timelines for screenings and reporting.

9. Employee must participate in actively recruiting families to participate in the PAT program by attending Parents as Teachers group connections, events hosted by community partners, and utilizing the Maternity Support Services program.

10. Parent educators are mandated reporters and therefore must abide by laws governing mandated reporters.

Send a cover letter and resume to [email protected]

This job description is our best approximation of the job and is subject to change.

We are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive culture that promotes and values diversity, reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work every day. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, ancestry, ethnicity, marital status, veterans' status, citizenship status, or membership in any other group protected by federal, state, and local law. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), immigrants, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, and individuals with diverse cultural backgrounds and language abilities. In addition to federal law requirements, First Step Family Support Center complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $21.00 - $23.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person