Parent Educator

Position Summary:

Parent Educators utilize evidence-informed and evidence-based program models to teach healthy parenting techniques to caregivers, expecting parents and families with children 0-5. Parent Educators are responsible for the scheduling, promotion, intake, assessment, preparation, service delivery, resource & referral and evaluation of the parenting program offered.   Delivery methods can range from comprehensive home visitation program and/or group workshop settings in the community. Funding for these roles are dependent on continued grant funding. 

Pay Rate: $20.31 - $23.25 hourly

Essential Job Functions:

·      Serves the number of families/caregivers determined by program guidelines including successful completion of face-to-face visits and/or group workshops.

·      Collaborates with community partners to schedule services at locations familiar and accessible for caregivers/parents of young children.

·      Accepts referrals, promotes registrations, and initiates contact with families as needed to begin service delivery within agency guidelines.  

·      Conducts parenting workshops and/or home visits at times that are convenient for the family/caregiver, which may include evenings and weekends.

·      Plans, prepares and conducts group caregiver/parent education workshops and/or home visits, according to recommended program delivery demonstrating fidelity to the model.

·      Provides case management at a level of intensity that meets the specific needs of each caregiver/familyand the requirements of the program model.

·      Provides parenting/life skills information and guidance that meets the needs of each caregiver/family.

·      Collects child health and developmental information if included in program model; determines other screenings which may be required.

·      In partnership with families, conducts, developmental, hearing, and vision screenings if included in program model. Supports families in seeking appropriate resources based on the results of screenings when needed.

·      Assesses family strengths and resources, including informal support systems.

·      If required by program, establishes and implements a Service Plan with measureable and achievable benchmarks for child and family goals and outcomes.

·      Facilitates referrals to community resources/services.

·      Maintains accurate case records in accordance with agency and program policies, procedures, and requirements.

·      Plans and provides for program activities, such as Group Connections for families at least once a month.

·      Collaborates with community agencies/service providers and community partners to promote timely and seamless services to children and families.

·      Maintains an effective and professional working relationship with families, partners, and referral sources.

·      Ensures fidelity to First Things First Standards (FTF) of Practice, as well as additional program standards.

·      Participates in program development activities, including community outreach and recruitment.

·      Uses Reflective Supervision effectively, accepts feedback and shares experiences working with families.

·      Participates in required Self-Assessment and Program Evaluation processes; FTF monitoring activities and contributes to the development and implementation of improvement plans.

·      Safely and effectively monitor client activities.

·      Assists with childcare as needed during group parenting workshops.

·      Attends and participates in all required meetings.

·      Performs work and represents AzCA in accordance with our mission, vision and values and Foundations for Success.

·      Maintains consistent attendance and punctuality to provide consistency in serving clients.

·      Performs other duties as assigned, which are consistent with the general responsibilities of the position.

Minimum Education & Experience:

Parent Educators that are working under the First Things First (FTF) or Maternal, Infant, Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) grants using the Parents as Teachers (PAT) Home Visitation Strategy:

• High School Diploma/GED with less than 5 Years previous supervised work experience with young children and/or parents; or an Associate's degree and 3 years of related experience and/or;
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with less than 2 year of related experience.

Parent Educators that are working under the First Things First (FTF) using the Parenting Education Strategy:

• Bachelor's degree in early childhood development, education, family studies, social work or a related field. Additionally, have at least two years of professional experience working with families with children birth to age 5.

Parent Educators that are working under First Things First (FTF) using the Community Based Language and Literacy Strategy (CBLL):

• Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, child development, family studies, or a related field. Additionally, have at least two years of experience working with families with young children.

Where a degree is required, additional related Degrees include the following areas of study: Child/Family/Human Development, Community Organization/Advocacy, Counseling, Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Studies, Family Studies, Human Services, Psychology, Public Health, and Social work. Criminal Justice degrees will be eligible with two years of related work experience. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

·      Knowledge of normal child development.

·      Knowledge of and training on early language and literacy language development of children birth to age 5.

·      Knowledge of and ability to apply child management techniques, basic parenting skills and time management skills.

·      Ability to work in a diverse, multi-cultural environment and be sensitive to the service population's cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.

·      Ability to participate as a team member, utilize supervision and able to accept peer support

·      Effective written, oral and interpersonal communication skills in the English language.  Might also require Spanish.

·      Must be organized with the ability to take direction, prioritize tasks, and to work independently with minimum supervision.

·      Must have ability to maintain confidentiality, and exhibit sound judgment while providing emotional support.

·      Ability to interact professionally with all staff and guests.

·      Must be able to recognize and communicate with your supervisor to address self-care needs in order to effectively maintain all job duties.

·      Ability to work in a variety of environments to include but not limited to in/outdoors with various obstacles, stairs and unknown conditions.

• Must be able to physically demonstrate competency in the following areas: operate transport vehicles as needed (unless declared a non-driver).
• Able to operate common office equipment and be proficient with electronic health records, calendaring, word processing and other needed computer and electronic device skills.

Minimum Qualification & Requirements

·      Must be 21 years of age (licensing requirement).

·      Possess a valid Arizona driver's license and be insurable under the agency's automobile policy.

·      Must be able to provide own transportation to and from clients' homes and/or other relevant organizations/agencies

·      Must be able to provide DPS fingerprint clearance.

·      Maintain current program qualifications and/or certification as a parent educator, by completing the required professional development trainings and hours for years of service.

·      Must be able to meet training and agency compliance requirements for the position.

·      An individual may qualify for this position if the individual is able to perform safely the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.  Perform safely means to perform without causing a direct threat to the health or safety of the individual or others that cannot be eliminated by reasonable accommodations, as defined by 42 U.S.C. #1211 (b) and the Commission's regulations found at 29 C.F.R #1630.2 (r).

This position description is intended to indicate the basic nature of the position and does not necessarily list all possible duties that may be assigned.