Family Resource Center Specialist

JOB DESCRIPTION POSITION: Family Resource Center Specialist Salary Range: $52,000-$60,000 FLSA Status: Non-exempt REPORTS TO: Family Resource Center Department Manager AGENCY SUMMARY: BrightSpark Early Learning Services has been at the forefront of the early learning landscape for over 30 years ensuring that all children have equitable access to safe, engaging, and positive early learning experiences that promote school readiness and lifetime success.
With a staff of over 140 and a budget of $30 million (99% publicly funded), BrightSpark Early Learning Services provides a broad array of services for families and childcare providers so that they in turn can support the development and well-being of our children.
OPPORTUNITY: The Childcare Aware of connection Family Center is a call center operated by BrightSpark Early Learning Services that connects caregivers from across the state (parents, guardians, case managers) with high quality early learning opportunities for the children in their care.
Each week, as part of the call center team, the Family Resource Center Specialist helps dozens of families find the right early learning setting for their children.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Provide culturally relevant, inclusive services over the phone and by email to families, caregivers, service providers, and other community members.
Actively engage with the team to meet the needs of families and children, community partners and stakeholders as well as meeting the deliverables of program contracts and funders.
Provide caregiver education (regional and statewide information), including elements of quality childcare and how to identify and choose quality childcare.
Complete program intakes and perform childcare radius searches for caregivers while providing additional information and referrals, as necessary.
Use intake tools, scripts, and regional resources to assess family needs for childcare.
Provide lists of referrals to childcare providers in the community using program Salesforce database.
Assist families to access Working Connections Childcare subsidy (WA state) and other public benefits, when eligible.
Prepare and send information to care givers (ex.
parent packets, requested materials and referral lists) via email, mail, or fax.
Work with interpreter services and provide services to walk-in families as needed.
Assist with maintaining client and provider data integrity by reviewing and cleaning-up client files; contacting childcare providers to obtain updated information and performing daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly tasks as determined by contracts, DEL, community initiative or industry best practice.
Opportunities to work on other special projects, such as community outreach, child care provider updates, legislative advocacy, racial equity caucusing, hosting extended learning opportunities, etc.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Minimum Qualifications: At least 3 years of relevant experience; or an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education Additional requirements include: Ability to work in a team environment, including ability to communicate and actively participate in BrightSpark team meetings, committees, and community groups.
Ability to remain focused on client calls while working in an open office environment.
Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, and a demonstrated commitment to diversity, cultural relevancy, and inclusion.
Desire to support children and families.
Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Effective interpersonal skills including an ability to quickly establish a warm connection over the phone and to constructively manage conflict.
Excellent listening skills with the ability to give and receive feedback.
Approach work with a sense of possibility, see challenges as opportunities for creative problem-solving, and work to find creative solutions.
Attention to detail and ability to multi-task.
Experience in/understanding of the provision “quality customer service”.
Knowledge of or comfort in learning basic database systems.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
Flexibility to attend occasional community events, providing outreach to parents and community partners.
Desired qualifications Native language speaking abilities in Spanish or Somali.
Experience with Salesforce; and/or Knowledge of child development & childcare, as well as local and statewide family resources.
COMPETENCIES: Core Competencies - Mission-driven: Demonstrates commitment to the mission and values of the mission.
Equity mindset: Demonstrates the values of anti-racist; fosters an inclusive environment that facilitates diversity.
Communication: Uses skillful written and oral communication with internal staff, teams, and community served; demonstrates empathy and listening.
Adaptability: Adapts and responds to change; proactively seeks opportunities to be supportive of change that serves our mission Ownership and quality of work: Manages own work, and work of teams when relevant, ensuring delivery of successful outcomes.
COMPENSATION: Salary Range: $52,000-$60,000 FLSA Status: Non-exempt This is a full-time salaried position requiring work during BrightSpark Early Learning Services Business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am-5pm and requiring a willingness to work some evenings and weekends.
HOW TO APPLY: A resume A cover letter, describing as specifically as you can how your experience, skills, and values fit with BrightSpark Early Learning Services’ goals and mission as described in this announcement.
A brief personal equity statement, describing your skills and experience engaging with issues involving diversity, racial equity, and inclusion, and/or in advancing racial equity in organizations.
This statement should not exceed 300 words.
Must provide documentation that you are fully vaccinated with at least one booster shot completed.
Exemptions are not accepted.
BENEFITS: BrightSpark Early Learning Services’ benefit package includes employer-paid top tier medical, dental and vision insurance plans for employees, 21 days of PTO per year in addition to 11 paid holidays, 3 paid floating holidays, birthday holiday, and one week-long office closure at year-end, Refresh Fridays in July (BrightSpark Early Learning Services Closure Days), flexible work environment, employer-paid life insurance, short-term disability/illness leave accrual, and 401k with 3% employer match.
WORK LOCATION: This position is a Hybrid Employees BrightSpark Early Learning Services employees in all types of work positions (hybrid, field, etc.
) must attend trainings, meetings, events, or other work commitments at various BrightSpark Early Learning Services office locations or off-site locations in Washington State including New Employee Orientation in Kent, Washington.
EQUAL EQUITY EMPLOYER: BrightSpark Early Learning Services is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity among our staff.
We strongly encourage people of color, immigrants and refugees, people from the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, and people from other historically marginalized groups to apply.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & QUESTIONS To learn more about BrightSpark Early Learning Services, please visit BrightSpark.
org BrightSpark Early Learning Services is a grant funded nonprofit organization.
This and all positions are contingent on grant funding being in place and can end based on the expiration of funding.
Experience Preferred 5 year(s): At least 5 years of relevant experience Education Required Associates or better in Early Childhood Education or related field Preferred Bachelors or better in Early Childhood Education or related field Licenses & Certifications Required Valid WA Drivers License Valid Car Insurance Skills Required Anti-racist Preferred Zoom and/or Teams Microsoft Suite Database Management Child care Experience Critical Thinking Skills Adaptability Communication Behaviors Preferred Loyal: Shows firm and constant support to a cause Team Player: Works well as a member of a group Enthusiastic: Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well Motivations Preferred Self-Starter: Inspired to perform without outside help Growth Opportunities: Inspired to perform well by the chance to take on more responsibility Flexibility: Inspired to perform well when granted the ability to set your own schedule and goals