Position Summary:

The Family Advocate works with families in Kent County who are expecting babies or have children up to 4 years of age. In addition, the Family Advocate works in the child development classroom with children under the age of 5.The position reports to the Director. The position does not supervise department staff.

Essential Functions:

Functions listed are intended only as illustrative of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

• Conduct home visits with families.
• Actively reach out to families identified as needing or desiring home visits. This includes responding to referrals, working with the service coordinator, and working with family-serving agencies.
• Provide parenting education to participants in their homes or the center, addressing specific developmental needs of their children.
• Assist enrolled families in assessing family needs and the strength of the parent-child relationship.
• Support and collaborate with the child development staff and program, including working in the classroom with children.
• Provide coaching as needed to parents around parent-child issues and/or interpersonal difficulties.
• Maintain contact with key persons in community agencies to make and receive referrals for families.
• Plan or participate in planning of parent and child activities.
• Be familiar with and able to discuss early childhood and parent development.
• Develop and maintain an effective referral network of local community resources.
• Be comfortable supporting families in crisis by helping them problem-solve and making referrals when necessary.
• Work to empower families.
• Work cooperatively with representatives from MFN who are responsible for the implementation and evaluation of this aspect of the FSC programming.
• Facilitate activities with parents and children and/or parents.
• Meet all requirements for the collection of statistical material needed by FSC and MFN.
• Meet all personnel requirements of the FSC and Kent County Commissioners.
• Maintain records for all families per FSC and MFN standards.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The employee is expected to perform or possess the following:

• Communications Skills: Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with advisory board members, state and local officials, private-sector partners, local organizations and community groups. Ability to write clearly and informatively; ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from staff, supervisors and stakeholders individually and in group settings.
• Customer Service: Represents the department professionally and effectively in both internal and external interactions. Manages difficult, sensitive or challenging situations successfully. Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of cultural background, status, or position. Exhibits objectivity and openness to others views.
• Leadership and Management Skills: Builds commitment and supports employee growth and success. Demonstrates ability to create and work in a team-oriented environment. Builds morale and group commitment to goals and objectives. Demonstrates effective problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Innovation and Change Management Skills: Displays original thinking and creativity. Develops innovative approaches and ideas. Presents ideas and information in a manner that is easily understood. Understands and contributes to evolving processes in response to changing communities and advances in technology.
• Technical Skills: Effectively utilizes standard and advanced database softwareto write queries, develop relational databases, and run reports. Ability to perform Internet searches and conduct online correspondence.
• First Aid and CPR certification or co plete certification within 30 days of hire.
• Attend all required trainings with MFN, Kent County Commissioners, and the FSC.

Education and Experience:

1. Bachelors Degree in Human Services, Human Development, Early Childhood Education, or a related field. A minimum of three years experience and relevant coursework may be considered as a substitute for the bachelors degree.
2. A minimum of 1 year experience with in-home visiting, counseling, working with families with young children and/or advocacy.

Physical and Environmental Conditions:

Work is conducted in normal office and home settings which provide comfortable lighting, temperature, and air conditions.

Occasional light lifting, such as three to four reams of paper, four or five books, or other materials (up to 50 pounds) may be required.

Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as homes and offices or meeting rooms, e.g. use of safeworkplacepractices with office equipment, and/or avoidance of trips and falls and observance of fire regulations.

The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job.

This and all County positions are subject to transfer, based on need. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Kent County Government provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.