Head Start Social Work Assistant 2 (Family Service Coordinator)

About the Department

Head Start is a federal program that has been serving vulnerable children and families for more than half a century. We serve people experiencing homelessness, poverty, involvement in the foster system or child protective system, or any other family stressors that qualifying families may be experiencing. Head Start classrooms do not expel or exclude children due to behavioral issues or disabilities and special needs of any kind. We recognize instead that individualizing for the specific needs of every child in a nurturing and supportive environment is how we best help all children reach kindergarten healthy and ready to learn. Center staff will have a responsibility to support the needs of all children in their classrooms.

The Opportunity: The Family Service Coordinator’s (FSC) primary responsibility is to provide direct task-oriented social services support to families in Head Start. Facilitates family development in the areas of family goals and parent education in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards and Skagit/Islands Head Start Policies and Procedures. Facilitates family engagement in program opportunities. The FSC supports obtaining required health screenings and health data, and supports broader program needs and needs of the assigned center. In all areas, the FSC must ensure accurate and timely data entry and documentation.

This position works under the general supervision of the Center Manager and interacts extensively with parents and children.  The FSC will greet and support parents and guardians at arrival and pickup daily, and will provide a contact point for visitors when the Center Manager is unavailable. May be assigned other duties and special projects.

This position will be assigned to a primary center location within the specified area, and may be moved on a temporary basis, or reassigned to a primary location within that same specified area if required to support program operations and effective centers. Travel to other locations will be required for some pre-scheduled meetings and trainings. May require an occasional alternate work schedule to support the needs of families, such as for Parent Nights and Activities. The primary location for this position is Head Start Oak Harbor Early Learning Center, located at 1080 NE 7^th Ave., Oak Harbor, WA 98277.

This is a permanent classified, benefits-eligible position working 40 hours per week. There is one (1) vacancy for this position. This position is grant-funded. The extension of the position is dependent on the continuation of funding.

The Location: Skagit Valley College is on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish People’s, especially on Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, Samish Indian Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe, and Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe. Located in a geographically diverse region between the dynamic metropolitan hubs of Seattle and Vancouver, BC, SVC is never far from world-class outdoor recreation, urban arts scenes, and local cultural events. SVC serves our local communities with a campus in Mount Vernon, Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island, and centers in Friday Harbor, a Marine Technology Center in Anacortes, and a Brewing Academy in Burlington.

Mission: Skagit Valley College cultivates student learning and achievement; contributes to the educational, personal, and economic success of students; and promotes equitable and thriving communities.

Vision: The primary focus of Skagit Valley College is student-centered teaching and learning. We are committed to:

• Equitable student outcomes in access, achievement, and community;
• Our Guiding Principles;
• Decisions based on strategy and evidence;
• The development of our employees;
• A diverse and inclusive college community where everyone belongs.

Guiding Principles: Respect, Integrity, Open and Honest Communication, Collaboration, and Compassion.
 
About SVC: Established in 1926, Skagit Valley College is a comprehensive community college within the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) providing associates and bachelor’s degrees, as well as certificates, in high-quality academic transfer pathways, workforce training, basic education for adults, and lifelong learning opportunities. Our equity goals align with SBCTC’s Vision statement; “Leading with racial equity, our colleges maximize student potential and transform lives within a culture of belonging that advances racial, social, and economic justice in service to our diverse communities.”
 
SVC's commitment to equity and social justice drives our collective work to increase access to higher education, inspire student learning and achievement, and strengthen our diverse community. We embrace equity through our core themes of access, achievement, and community by pursuing the continuous examination and revision of norms, policies, and practices to foster the success of all.
 
SVC aspires to reflect the diverse racial, ethnic, and linguistic demographics in the district, particularly a growing Latinx population. As an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) SVC seeks equity-minded leadership, faculty, and staff that are committed to inclusive practices and diverse environments where students from all backgrounds can thrive via multidisciplinary collaboration and the implementation of an array of services. Candidates representing all aspects of diversity are encouraged to apply. 

Skagit Valley College offers:
An unrelenting focus on our mission to improve the lives of our students and to strengthen our diverse community.

• Support for innovative teaching, learning, and scholarship.
• Exciting opportunities for personal and career growth.
• Diverse cultural and environmental benefits of rural, suburban, and urban lifestyles.
• Friendly, supportive, and diverse work environments.
• Excellent benefits include competitive leave packages and an array of health, dental, vision, and retirement plans to meet your current and future needs.

Position Duties

Support family engagement and services

• Using strengths-based attitudes and strategies, orient families to the program in coordination with the center manager and staff;
• Prepare for, lead, and document family reviews with center staff;
• Complete needs assessments with all families and develop individual family partnership plans with all families;
• Develop support approaches and schedules that meet individual family needs;
• Make referrals to internal or community resources and follow up to ensure needs have been adequately addressed;
• Strengthen community collaborations to support families by maintaining current knowledge of community resources, sharing community service information with families, and building relationships during attendance of interagency meetings, community events, and other scheduled meetings with community partners.

Support families to complete program health requirements

• Collaborate with families to determine that they have access to continuous health care and health coverage. Assist families in acquiring health care and coverage as needed.;
• Work with staff and families to determine if the child is up to date on the age-appropriate Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) program for health and oral health in WA State. 
• Ensure completion of 45-day sensory screenings and other health screenings in collaboration with center teams;
• Support families and collaborate with center teams to ensure children have proper documentation for chronic conditions and other health needs (e.g., allergies, food substitutions, etc.);
• Provide support to families in following up on any required treatment or referrals;
• Use the database for accurate and timely documentation for health and nutrition needs and follow-up actions.

Support program and center activities and requirements

• Facilitate Policy Council elections and support Policy Council representatives in planning and executing regular parent meetings;
• Attend all required center and program meetings and trainings;
• Complete tasks associated with the Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA) requirements, including the proper determination of family eligibility, ongoing recruitment, program orientation, and support for regular attendance of children;
• Have a general understanding of program school readiness goals and child goals at their center. 
• Work with teaching staff in a positive and respectful manner. Support classroom activities or coverage at assigned times to develop that understanding and to deepen the family relationship by gaining experience with enrolled children. May also provide occasional emergency support to classrooms;
• Provide families with resources and activities that support school readiness. Assist families with transitioning children into kindergarten;
• Serve as point of contact for the center in the planned absence of the Center Manager;
• Support program ongoing quality improvement through participating in program planning and assessment efforts by offering insights and observations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• The ability to build and maintain constructive and effective relationships with others, demonstrating respect, cooperation, and mutual regard; 
• Accountability through accepting personal responsibility for the timeliness and quality of work; 
• An ongoing commitment to learning and self-improvement that includes reaching out to the appropriate individuals for support and guidance as needed; 
• Demonstrating ethical and integrity-based behaviors that include setting appropriate boundaries with families, and maintaining honesty and professionalism; 
• Actively supports and honors inclusiveness and diversity; 
• Able to effectively use written communication to objectively and accurately document assigned elements in the data entry system.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, or behavioral sciences;
• Two (2) years of experience as a Social Work Assistant 1 or equivalent;
• Fluency in English.

OR

• Associate of Arts Degree in the behavioral sciences;
• Four (4) years of experience as a Social Work Assistant 1 or equivalent;
• Fluency in English.

OR

• A combination of education and experience equivalent to the above requirements.
• Fluency in English.

Desired Qualifications:

• Bilingual in Spanish.

Other Qualifications

• Salary is based on Range 45, Step A, $3,910 per month with periodic increments to $5,117 per month. Salary placement is typically made at the starting salary for the range. Placement higher in the range may be considered for qualifications and experience. Salary and benefits are subject to change in accordance with legislative mandates and collective bargaining agreements.
• This position is eligible for overtime pay in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• This is a union-represented position subject to a collective bargaining agreement.
• Retirement, medical, and insurance benefits are provided in accordance with state regulations. Additional information on benefits can be found at https://fortress.wa.gov/hca/pebbhealthplan/compare.aspx.4

Application Deadline: Application materials will be accepted until this position is filled. Applications may be kept on file to be considered for openings that may occur in the future.
 
Please be aware that the College hiring authorities reserve the right to hire one or more candidates and may exercise the option to make a hiring decision prior to the conclusion of the recruitment process. Only candidates selected to interview will be contacted.

Application Procedure:
To be considered for this position, applicants must:

• Meet the minimum qualifications and;
• Submit a complete application to the online recruitment system at www.skagit.eduthat includes the following:
  • The online application, which includes answers to all supplemental questions and contact information for at least three (3) professional references;
  • A current resume; (Attachment: Resume)
  • A cover letter addressing how your education and experience relate to the duties and responsibilities of the position (Attachment: Cover Letter).

In order to be considered for the position, you must complete the online application in full and attach the required supplemental documents. Failure to provide this information may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Conditions of Employment: 

• Prior to employment, the candidate must pass a criminal background check;
• If hired you will be required to provide proof that you are either 1) a U.S. citizen, or 2) an immigrant whose status permits you to lawfully work in this country;
• A MERIT background check including fingerprints through the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF);
• Within 30 days of hire, have or obtain the following: 
  • an initial health examination indicating freedom from communicable diseases;
  • proof of a Tuberculosis (TB) test taken within 12 months prior to the initial employment date;
  • proof of immunization for measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination OR proof of immunity from measles;
  • CPR/First Aid card;
  • a current Food Handlers permit;
• Candidates who do not meet the minimum educational requirement must successfully complete a Professional Development Plan to attain the educational requirement in accordance with the timeline outlined in the plan;
• Meet all federally mandated requirements related to the Head Start program, including but not limited to continuing educational requirements and all Washington State laws and College policies related to the Head Start program and SVC employment;
• Have, or ability to obtain by the time of hire, a Washington State driver's license or equivalent, and proof of auto insurance;
• Prior to employment, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
   
   Additionally, pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080, applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or are currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicant’s current or past employer. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who refuses to declare the existence or non-existence of an investigation or findings subject to this statute.
• In the interest of providing a healthy, safe, and secure educational and work environment, and in order to meet the requirements of federal legislation, it is the policy of Skagit Valley College to maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace for our employees and students. 
• If hired you will be required to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. Citizenship or appropriate authorization to work in this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986.  
• This classification is included in the classified staff bargaining unit, represented by the Washington Public Employees Association, WPEA.  Membership in the WPEA within thirty (30) calendar days of appointment at this classification is a requisite for employment at Skagit Valley College under union shop requirements. 

Application Assistance: If you have questions about the position or require special accommodation, you may contact Human Resources at (360) 416-7794, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.  SVC complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the recruitment process may leave a TDD/TTY message at (360) 416-7718 by the application closing date.  Information on SVC's Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found at OPPM 3040.
 
For questions regarding the online application system, you may call NEOGOV Applicant Tech Support at (855) 524-5627 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. For best results, apply using one of the following browsers supported by NEOGOV: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and later versions of Internet Explorer.
 
SVC Annual Security Report: The U.S. Department of Education and the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act require all colleges to provide information to current and prospective students and employees about campus safety policies, procedures, and statistics on certain crimes, including hate crimes, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault.  We are required to report our campus security information and statistics in an Annual Security Report, which is updated annually each October.  All prospective employees may obtain a copy of the Annual Security Report from the Human Resources Office by calling (360) 416-7794 or by accessing the Report at: https://www.skagit.edu/about/safety-security-parking/
 
Skagit Valley College is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all groups in terms and conditions of employment and personnel practices. 

Skagit Valley College provides a drug-free environment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity, pregnancy, genetic information, age, marital status, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status in its programs and employment. For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, contact Carolyn Tucker, Vice President of Human Resources/EEO, 360.416.7794 or carolyn.tucker@skagit.edu. For inquiries regarding sexual misconduct compliance, contact Title IX Coordinator, Sandy Jordan, 360.416.7923 or sandy.jordan@skagit.edu. Mailing address: 2405 E. College Way, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.

Public community college offering academic and technical degrees in Washington.