Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA) services the three counties in the heart of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. This region is known for rolling mountains, spectacular views, and some of the most beautiful lakes in North America. Outdoor recreation thrives here in the Kingdom, including cycling, skiing, hiking, golf, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, and four-wheeling.

NEKCA’s staff consist of a hardworking team dedicated to the clients we serve while supporting one another in the work that we do.

Join the NEKCA team to experience the many benefits that we offer including:

• Health care coverage
• Dental care coverage
• Vision coverage
• Life/Short Term Disability/AD&D
• Retirement Plan
• Vacation
• Sick time off
• Paid holidays
• Employee Assistance Program

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The Family Service Worker works in partnership with the Management Team and enrolled Head Start/Early Head Start families, is responsible for providing comprehensive services to enrolled children and families, in accordance with Early Head Start/Head Start Performance Standards, Content Area Plans, the Vermont Early Childhood Program Licensing Regulations, Family service work and NEKCA Head Start Standards of Conduct, is responsible to provide hands on support to integrate parent and family engagement strategies into all systems and program services to support family well-being and promote children’s learning and development, provide information, referral and coordinating efforts to link staff and families with appropriate community resources, assist in public relations, parent involvement, and cultural competency to promote the Head Start program. A two-generation approach will be used to address prevalent needs of families across all Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

• Takes an active role in promoting coordinated systems of comprehensive early childhood services to low- income children and families in their community through communication, cooperation, and the sharing of information among agencies and their community partners, while protecting the privacy of child records
• Provide family and community engagement services aligned with the Head Start Performance Standards and Vermont Child Care Licensing Regulations
• Participate in the family intake and assessment procedures to identify family strengths and needs related to the family engagement outcomes as described in the Head Start Parent Family and Community Engagement Framework
• Takes a lead role on the oversight and organization of recruitment efforts
• Participate in the development in family partnership agreements and the activities that to support family well-being based on the parent interest and need
• Assists programs to offer individualized family partnership services
• Assists programs to offer intentional strategies to engage parents in their children’s learning and development and support parent-child relationships, including specific strategies for father engagement
• Assists programs to engaging in two-way communication between staff and parents to create welcoming program environments that incorporate the unique cultural backgrounds of families in the program and community
• Assists programs to collaborating with families in the family partnership process that identifies needs, interest, strengths, goals, and services and resources that support family well-being, including family safety, health, and economic stability
• Assists teachers, home visitors, and support staff to share information with each other, as appropriate
• Assists and ensures that families have an opportunity to share personal information in an environment they feel safe and services are offered in their preferred language
• Provide parents with opportunities to participate in the program as employees or volunteers
• Provide parents with materials and resources to support the transition to early care and education programs upon entrance and exit from the EHS and HS programs
• Promote shared responsibility with parents for children’s early learning and development and implement family engagement strategies that are designed to foster parental confidence and skills in promoting children’s learning and development. Strategies must include:

(1) Offering activities that support parent-child relationships and child development

including language and literacy (duel language and bi-literacy as appropriate).

(2) Providing parents with information about the importance of child’s regular

attendance and partner with them, as necessary, to promote consistent

attendance.

(3) For duel language learners, information and resources for parents about the

benefits of bilingualism and bi-literacy

• Participate in collecting and documenting non-federal share (In-kind)
• Actively participate in regional service coordination meetings which include assessing eligibility, developing case plans and managing case loads
• Participates in the Program Strategic Plan, Self-Assessment, Continuous Improvement Plan, Planning Committee, and Hiring Committees (when applicable)
• Displays professional behavior as outlined in NAEYC’s Code of Ethical Conduct
• All other duties deemed necessary by your supervisor or the CFDP Director

• Must comply with NEKCA policies if hired
• Staff will be required to authorize and pass CDD and NEKCA’s criminal background check process
• Staff is required to be completely vaccinated against COVID-19 or approved for an exemption prior to starting position
• Bachelors Degree in Human Services or related field
• Knowledge of community resources including local service providers; state and federal agencies
• Experience working with adults in a learning environment, group organization and group facilitation
• Experience working with community organizations
• Experience and knowledge in child development and early childhood education services
• Work effectively as a team member
• Sufficient transportation to meet job requirements
• Obtain CPR and First Aid Certification with two months of employment
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work flexible hours
• Maintain confidentiality
• Committed to be actively engaged in continuing process of professional development

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NEKCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer & Provider

Applications from women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people from diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged. Qualifications for positions within NEKCA are determined by the duties and responsibilities of the position itself.

Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process may call 802-334-7316 est. 212 or email at jobs@nekcavt.org.

All NEKCA staff contribute to a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.