EMPLOYEE:______

SEMCAC

Job Description

Job Title:B32 Home-based Educatorfor Fillmore County/Preston base (county/base location)

Department:Head Start

Reports To:Coordinator for County

FLSA Status:Non-exempt

Prepared By:Beth Stanford

Drafted:16 May 2017

Approved By:Pat Georgens

Approved Date:16 May 2017

SUMMARY

The Home-based Educator (HBE) works with pregnant women, and with infants,and toddlers along with their parentsto provide highquality, culturally competent child development and parent support services with an emphasis on the role of the parent as the child's first, and most important relationship. The HBE organizes and provides a combination of weekly home visits and regularly scheduled group socializations. Additionally, the HBEassists, if assigned, with oversight ofEarly Head Start services provided by coordinating partners. This is a part--time, 12-month appointment, unless otherwise indicated.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

General of All Head Start staff

  • Respect and respond competently to the culture, traditions, lifestyle, language, and values of each family and community.
  • Participate in the county recruitment plan to reach eligible families and maintain full enrollment.
  • Represent Head Start in the community and support effective community partnerships while advocating for Head Start families.
  • Represent Semcac to promote excellent public relations and build awareness of the program’s contributions to local communities. Secure community contributions to the program towards meeting its required non-federal match.
  • Maintain strict confidentiality concerning children, families, staff and agency matters.
  • Serve as a mandated reporter of suspected abuse or neglect to proper authorities.
  • Assure compliance with all Federal and State regulations, Head Start Performance Standards, and Semcac policies and procedures.
  • Contribute to effective program practices and maintain a commitment to professionalism.
  • Submit reports, oral and/or written, as assigned.

Home Visits

The purpose of the home visit is to support parents in their roles as primary caregivers and to facilitate the child’s optimal development within their home environments. Position is responsible for a minimum 90 minute high quality home visit with each family based on following:

  • Work with partners to identify families in which the home is the child's primary learning environment.
  • Assist parents in establishing and implementing long and short range goals for their children. Encourage parents to become actively involved in their children’s education.
  • Develop and utilize lesson plans that reflect all Head Start components, parental and cultural influences, and that promote the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of each child.
  • Complete screenings and observations of each child and establish individual goals, objectives and plans for each child. Make appropriate referrals for those children identified with special needs.
  • Maintain regular contact with families and work with all other components (health, nutrition, family services, mental health) to integrate educational goals and developmentally appropriate practices into the family setting.

Group Socializations
Group socializations are offered generally twice a month and are designed to support child development by strengthening the parent-child relationship. In the context of a group of families, socialization experiences address child growth and development, parenting, and the parent-child relationship. Position is responsible for planning and conducting regular socialization days for the families to:

  • Meet the needs of all children; including those at risk, those with special needs, and those who are culturally diverse.
  • Maintain a safe, secure, clean and nurturing environment with constant child supervision.
  • Provide an atmosphere that promotes and reinforces parental involvement in the classroom.
  • Respond to crisis or emergency situations that may arise.

Program Support

  • Maintain accurate written records; including assessments, special education documentation, screening instruments, anecdotal observations, transition activities, parent/teacher conferences, and any other required documentation.
  • Participate in meetings of partnership work groups and/or local site team to plan for and deliver collaborative services across all components and ensure integration of birth to 5 services.
  • Inform and encourage parents about the opportunities for involvement in all aspects of Head Start.
  • Acts as mentor/coach to those parents elected as Parent Committee officers or Policy Council.
  • Assist Coordinators and Director to integrate and oversee birth to five services in order to enhance effectiveness and ensure smooth transitions for children and families. Maintains strong communications, as directed to keep informed and problem-solve.
  • Conduct relevant research and share accordingly to inform decision-making and planning for birth to five and/or Early Head Start services, on-going or expansion. Keeps current on latest regulations and guidance from federal and state sources concerned with services to birth to toddler aged children and families.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversight of classroom staff, volunteers or meal service staff during socializations.

ACCOUNTABILITY

The Home-based Educator has the discretion to act independently in the day-to-day conduct of the above responsibilities, unless otherwise requested by the supervisor. The supervisor has the discretion to provide guidance on when to be informed and involved. Sound judgment will involve assessing, planning, and evaluating new and uncertain situations. Problems should be addressed as they arise by direct action or offering ideas/suggestions in a constructive manner to others involved or the supervisor, following through to resolution in a timely fashion.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

  • Home-based CDA credential – or - Comparable credential – or - Equivalent coursework as part of an associate's or bachelor's degree
  • Preferred:minimum six months experience working with infant/toddlers in educational setting.
  • Preferred: minimum six months experience of direct service work with families.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, CERTIFICATES

  • Valid Driver's License or proof of ability to travel when necessary.
  • CPR and First Aid certification or ability to obtain within three (3) months of employment.
  • Successful completion of Family Services Credential within 18 months of employment at Semcac Head Start. Training provided by Head Start.

KNOWLEDGE

  • Knowledge of children and family systems.
  • Familiar with community resources available to address the needs of low-income families.
  • Must understand the needs of low-income families.
  • Willingness to learn and use computers and software.
  • Preferred: existing knowledge of Microsoft Office systems.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

  • Ability to read, analyze and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
  • Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
  • Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format.
  • Ability to effectively present information to management staff, public groups, staff, parents and/or boards of directors.
  • Preferred: bi-lingual ability in Spanish, Somali or Hmong; agency will confirm bi-lingual competency.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

  • Calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.
  • Apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

ABILITIES

  • Work independently, self-directed and motivated.
  • Be flexible with unexpected schedule changes. Work a flexible schedule that may include some evenings.
  • Establish relationships with individuals of various types and needs.
  • Model effective parenting skills.
  • Monitor and supervise a child with special needs.

REASONING ABILITY

  • Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
  • Read, analyze and interpret Head Start policies and procedures and Performance Standards.
  • Interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job:

  • The employee is regularly required to sit, talk, hear, stand, walk; use hands and fingers, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
  • The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
  • The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance.
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job:

  • The employee is exposed to outside weather conditions.
  • The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the employee will also perform other related duties as assigned. Semcac reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment unless signed by both parties. Semcac is an equal opportunity employer.

Note to applicants:

DO NOT ANSWER THIS QUESTION UNLESS YOU HAVE BEEN INFORMED ABOUT THE REQUIREMENTS DESCRIBED IN THIS JOB DESCRIPTION:

Are you capable of performing, in a reasonable manner, with or without reasonable accommodation, the activities described in this job description? YES NO

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