26-27 Early Beginnings Specialist

Position Summary

The Early Beginnings Office of the Somerville Family Learning Collaborative (SFLC) works to develop and implement a comprehensive research-based approach to prenatal and early childhood supports. This work promotes alignment and coordination across early childhood through kindergarten readiness and helps put children and families on a path toward school success.

The Early Beginnings Specialist supports this goal by strengthening family engagement promoting healthy child development and school readiness increasing families access to early learning opportunities and community resources and fostering strong connections among families early childhood programs Somerville Public Schools and community partners.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

The essential functions or responsibilities listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar related or a logical assignment to the position

Work with Families and Communities

• Support and lead SFLC playgroups including providing coverage as needed while creating safe welcoming developmentally appropriate and enriching learning environments for young children and their families.
• Build positive trusting relationships with families and connect them with appropriate resources referrals programs and community services.
• Assist with the administration of Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) developmental screenings and related family support and follow-up including preparing ASQ materials and packets supporting families in completing questionnaires managing the online ASQ Family Access link entering screening results and maintaining accurate and up-to-date records.
• Support Early Beginnings workshops family programs community events and outreach activities.
• Conduct ParentChild home visits with families as needed to support program implementation provide coverage and maintain continuity of services following ParentChild model requirements and SFLC program practices.
• Maintain strong working relationships and open communication with community partners early childhood providers and other organizations serving children and families.
• Help families navigate available early childhood programs school-based resources and community supports.

Program and Office Support

• Assist with playgroup registration scheduling supplies materials and day-to-day program logistics.
• Support the development organization and maintenance of family outreach materials program information and community resources.
• Assist with data entry data collection program documentation and impact tracking ensuring that databases family contact information and email lists are accurate and up to date.
• Help maintain SFLC Early Beginnings online information including the Playgroup webpage and social media content as appropriate.
• Use technology effectively to support communication program coordination outreach and documentation including email Google Drive Forms Sheets and Docs.
• Organize and prioritize multiple responsibilities while working effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Provide administrative and program support across Early Beginnings initiatives as needed.

Mission Values and Program Guidelines

• Understand and support the SFLC mission values and commitment to equity inclusion and closing opportunity gaps.
• Follow SFLC policies procedures program expectations and Playgroup guidelines.
• Promote equitable and inclusive practices and help ensure that programs and services are welcoming and accessible to all families.
• Demonstrate respect for the cultural linguistic socioeconomic and family diversity of the Somerville community.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality and professional boundaries when working with children families staff and community partners.
• Participate in team meetings planning professional development and other Early Beginnings activities as required.
• Support other SFLC Early Beginnings and job-related activities as needed including occasional evening and weekend programming.

Qualifications Knowledge Abilities & Skills

• Experience working with young children birth through age five and their families in group educational community-based or family support settings.
• Experience working effectively with culturally linguistically ethnically and economically diverse families including families of children with disabilities or developmental needs.
• Warm welcoming respectful and inclusive approach to working with children and families.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build positive relationships with families colleagues community partners and service providers.
• Strong organizational skills attention to detail and ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team while also working independently with appropriate initiative and judgment.
• Comfort using technology for communication documentation outreach and program coordination including Google Drive Forms Sheets and Docs.
• Degree coursework training or relevant experience in early childhood education child development family support special education social services or a related field preferred.
• Fluency in English required; bilingual Spanish/English or Portuguese/English skills strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity inclusion family engagement and closing opportunity gaps for young children and families.

Physical Requirements

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the positions essential functions.

• Mobility:Frequent walking standing and navigating stairs.
• Lifting/Strength:Ability to lift push pull or carry objects ranging from 10 to 30 lbs (e.g. books supplies equipment).
• Physical Dexterity:Bending crouching kneeling stooping and reaching to assist students.
• Stationary Tasks:Remaining in a stationary position (sitting/standing) for long periods.

Reporting Relationships

• Position Reports to:SFLC Early Beginnings Family Support Programs Director

Terms of Employment

• Position Type:Full Time
• Schedule: September - June (190 Days)
• FLSA Classification:Exempt
• Union Status:Non Union
• Work days and salary will be prorated toaccording to the actual start and end dates of the assignment

Pre-Employment Requirements

MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Clearance

Fingerprints

The Somerville Public School does not discriminate in its programs facilities or employment of educational opportunities on the basis of race color age religion disability pregnancy home status marital/civil union status sex/gender gender identity sexual orientation citizenship status place of birth national origin ancestry cultural identity genetics or military status and does not tolerate any form of retaliation or bias-based intimidation threat or harassment that demeans individuals group or interferes with their ability to learn or work.

Required Experience:

IC