Early Learning Specialist - Healthy Community Initiative

Up to full-time, 40 hours per week, serving families in Faribault and Northfield

Established in 2007, Growing Up Healthy, a program of the Healthy Community Initiative (HCI), works with partner organizations and Latine and/or low-income families to transform communities through cultivating neighborhood leadership, fostering social connectedness, and collectively advocating for change within neighborhoods and systems.

The person in this role will meet with families in their homes or other meeting place twice per week to model effective ways for parents/caregivers to increase their verbal interaction with children in their home. Work hours may span into the evening or weekends depending on families' availability.

Tasks you will do in this position: 

• Help to enroll children in the ParentChild+ home visiting program. Facilitate weekly home visits with a cohort of children in the program (home visiting training will be provided).
• Listen for, identify and document barriers and challenges families face to accessing early learning opportunities, and help families troubleshoot barriers to preschool enrollment and persistence. Engage families as much as possible in the process of identifying collaborative solutions.
• Refer families to community resources and services; assist families to complete application forms or other paperwork (as needed) in order to receive services; follow up with families to ensure services were received.
• Participate in weekly staff meetings and regular supervision meetings.
• Plan and facilitate events to promote Growing Up Healthy and the ParentChild+ program.
• Build positive working relationships with agency and program partners, and ensure effective, timely communication with individuals and organizations central to this work.
• Track data using Growing Up Healthy’s data tracking system as well as complete and organize session notes for home visits.
• Serve as an active member of the Rice County Ready for Kindergarten team.
• Remain flexible and adapt as part of the team; maintain consistent, positive communication with team members, families and community partners.

Qualities HCI is looking for:

• High School Diploma or GED with relevant experience.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish or Somali.
• Experience working with diverse children ages 1-4 years, either volunteer or professional.
• 2-5 years of experience in community outreach, family home visiting, early childhood education, individual family support, or a related field. Specific expertise with immigrant and refugee communities and low-income/generational poverty communities is preferred.
• Background in early childhood learning and positive parenting skills. Knowledge of ParentChild+ and/or home-visiting experience is preferred.
• Program coordination skills including ability to complete accurate and timely electronic record keeping and data tracking, manage time, prioritize tasks effectively, attend to details, work with minimal supervision and as a member of a team. 
• Commitment to consistently demonstrate the values of compassion, inclusion, innovation, integrity and collaboration.
• Demonstrated outreach and networking skills and ability to build professional relationships with healthy boundaries.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, including lifting/carrying up to 40 pounds as well as regular sitting, typing, walking, standing, climbing stairs, bending, kneeling.

Success in this job requires:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word, and Excel) and Google Suite.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Capable of completing work on time in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a positive attitude. Excellent ability to multi-task and troubleshoot issues.
• Ability to work some evening and weekend hours.
• Willingness to maintain the standards, carry out the purpose, and adhere to the policies of the Healthy Community Initiative.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid Minnesota driver’s license and auto insurance. Must be able to travel throughout Rice County.
• Maintenance of a cell phone.

PREFERRED QUALITIES: 

• Familiarity with Faribault and Northfield Public Schools and Rice County organizations and resources