Senior Program Coordinator: Early Head Start Home Visiting program

Title: Senior Program Coordinator

Reports to: Sr. Program Manager (Early Head Start/ Head Start)

Status: Exempt / Hourly / Full-Time / In-person

Location: Oakland, CA

Pay: $70,000 - $75,000

Our Mission and Vision

The Brighter Beginnings mission is to “support healthy births and successful development of children by partnering with parents and helping to build strong communities“. Our mission gains its strength from our core belief that, “Every family matters, and every child deserves a happy, healthy future.”

Our History

Brighter Beginnings is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and has been responding to the needs of families in resource-poor neighborhoods since 1984 when our work began in response to the alarming differences in mortality and illness rates among African American babies compared to other children.

Brighter Beginnings has grown into a respected and well-connected organization with locations in Oakland, Richmond, Bay Point, and Antioch. We have a multi-cultural, bi-lingual staff of passionate and committed family-service professionals; in fact, many of our staff came to this work because of the challenges they faced in their own families.

About the role

The Early Head Start/Head Start Senior Program Coordinator (SPC) helps the Senior Program Manager to plan, implement, support, monitor and evaluate the Early Head Start Program in compliance with federal Head Start performance standards. The SPC supports general program duties by working closely with the Senior Program Manager. The Coordinator maintains strong working relationships with contract agencies, outreaches to the community and other agencies. Key skills of this role are organization and data-entry skills, knowledge of Early Childhood Development as well as experience with the diversity of families in the Oakland community.

The SPC will provide home visitation services to a half-caseload (6 families), working with pregnant women and/or parents with children from birth to 5 years old. The SPC will work to enhance the caregivers’ ability to fill the role of primary nurturer of their child in their capacities both as a direct service provider and supervisor.

The Sr. Program Coordinator is a goal-oriented self-starter who is detail-oriented and passionate about working with children and families. The SPC supports staff in day-to-day problem-solving while also being knowledgeable of the business/operations side of the EHS/HS program. The SPC has big-picture vision for the program and is a professional liaison with our community partners. 

Candidate Requirements

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development, Social Work or related field is required and 2+ years related experience.
• A minimum of 2 years working with families and children from birth to 5 years.
• Spanish language fluency 
• Supervision and/or leadership experience, preferably in a related field.
• Knowledge of Early Childhood Education
• Demonstrated ability to create a relationship of trust and support with people of different backgrounds and in various circumstances
• Valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, reliable vehicle and car insurance. Must pass background check and have no history of abuse/neglect after conditional offer letter

Preferred candidate attributes

• Professional experience within the EHS/HS program, or professional experience providing home visiting services, or social work experience, or caseload management experience.
• Mam language fluency 
• An understanding of the particular needs of the Oakland community and extensive knowledge of community resources and agencies.
• Communicate clearly and persuasively, both written and verbally; ability to effectively analyze, interpret and communicate policies and ideas.
• Reflective and insightful with excellent interpersonal skills. 
• Function well both independently and as part of a team; ability to coordinate multiple and simultaneous tasks; strong problem-solving skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office software programs; familiarity with database information management systems. Savvy with data management and data entry.
• Values the importance of policies, procedures, and chain of command.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills

Responsibilities

Planning and Coordinating

• In collaboration with Program Manager, plans, organizes and coordinates goals and activities of the Early Head Start Program; monitors staff activity to ensure that goals and objectives of the program are accomplished within prescribed time frames and funding parameters.
• Assists with recruiting and enrolling ; Monitors staff caseloads and assigns cases as needed. 
• Compiles community focused resources for staff to provide clients with comprehensive care.  
• Coordinates twice monthly socializations that provide families with developmentally appropriate activities and information designed to enhance the child's intellectual, social-emotional, motor, and language abilities.  
• Participates in program planning and program enhancement opportunities with the management team.

Reporting and Administrative Duties

• Maintains and promptly submits accurate, complete, and correct records as required by federal/state guidelines, Brighter Beginnings policy and administrative regulations.
• In collaboration with Program Manager, conducts individual client chart reviews, audits and other procedures to ensure that the quality of case management services meet program and contract standards.
• Develops and creates documents and tracking systems that meet both Brighter Beginnings’ and City of Oakland EHS criteria.
• Utilizes database information systems to monitor quality assurance and identify program trends.
• Provides timely reports and information to the Program Manager and/or the City of Oakland EHS/HS on on-going or proposed programs, activities, and/or data.

Direct Services

• Provide client case management services for a caseload of 6 families. Completes all duties of a Child Development Specialist as pertains to their caseload and any coverage – as needed – of team member’s caseloads. 
• Schedule, conduct and document weekly home visitation sessions (90 minutes long each) with each caregiver and child in the caseload. Deliver the EHS/HS curriculum designed to foster the healthy growth of the child and deliver development, health, educational, and nutritional information. 
• Complete documentation after every home visit. Complete required paperwork, documentation and grant reports in a timely manner to meet deadlines 
• Coordinate with parents to ensure that prenatal, well-child exams, immunizations, health and dental screenings, and nutrition assessments are complete and necessary follow up occurs
• Complete family partnership agreements, developmental screenings and all other required assessments with families in a timely manner
• Provide support in parent and child activities that encourages developmentally appropriate activities for the changing needs of infants and toddlers. Role models developmentally appropriate teaching techniques to caregivers.
• Coordinate and implement bi-monthly group socializations with team members.
• Collaborate with community partner agencies to access services for participating families

Supervision

• Works as a team with the Senior Program Manager to provide supervision to other program staff. Communicates with the Senior Program Manager regarding staff performance, and escalates matters as appropriate. Provides regular updates to the Senior Program Manager on staff performance.
• Offer quality supervision to Child Development Specialists with regular reflective 1:1 supervision meetings and weekly group meetings. Plans and leads weekly group meetings as assigned by the Senior Program Manager. Guides and coaches staff regarding the delivery of direct services.
• Assists the Senior Program Manager with onboarding and training to set up new hires for success. In particular, coaches new staff on day-to-day tasks.  
• Monitors staff progress on admin tasks and provides support as needed, such as setting calendar reminders, following up, and coaching on time management.
• Maintains a culture of professionalism and confidentiality at all times. Maintains a professional demeanor in group team settings 

Benefits

We are proud to offer competitive wages and benefits to our employees. Please feel free to inquire during the interview process. As a summary, we offer:

• 100% employer-paid health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance!
• Competitive wages and friendly environment
• Two weeks of vacation (increase after 1 year of employment)
• 13 paid holidays
• Sick leave accrual
• Optional employee-paid dependent health coverage
• 403b retirement account with matching
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistant Program (EAP)

All applicants that are offered a conditional offer of employment will need to complete a background check. For positions with client/patient contact, you must have a TB clearance and a physical assessment by a physician of your ability to complete job duties. Additional requirements are an immunization records (including MMR, Hep B, Varicella, TDAP, Covid-19). All positions require applicants to have a valid California driver’s license, be listed under car insurance as a driver, and a clean driving record (as defined by our insurance carrier).

Brighter Beginnings is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. At Brighter Beginnings, employment decisions are made regardless of sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, ethnic origin, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, genetic information or ancestry, protected Veteran or military status, or other characteristics protected by law.

If you require alternative methods of application or screening, you must approach the employer directly.

All applicants that are offered a conditional offer of employment will need to complete a background check. For positions with client/patient contact, you must have a TB clearance and a physical assessment by a physician of your ability to complete job duties. Additional requirements are an immunization records (including MMR, Hep B, Varicella, TDAP, Covid-19). All positions require applicants to have a valid California driver’s license, be listed under car insurance as a driver, and a clean driving record (as defined by our insurance carrier).