Family Educator

About us:

 Founded in 1965 as part of the War on Poverty, Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC) is one of 1,000 community action agencies across the U.S. and 23 in Massachusetts created to address disparities throughout the nation.  

Our values of advancing equitable access, elevating all voices, and partnering with people are embedded in the role we play as the federally designated anti-poverty agency for Central and South-Central Massachusetts. WCAC embodies service to the community through our Mission: Helping people move to economic self-sufficiency through programs, partnerships, and advocacy.   

Our vision is to break the cycle of poverty one neighbor at a time. Through safety-net services and asset building solutions, WCAC creates economic mobility opportunities for tens of thousands of people annually through programs such as energy assistance, early education and care, financial empowerment, positive youth development, and career pathways.  

WCAC is committed to being a responsible and inclusive partner through strong collaboration and a shared client perspective. We are committed to advocating for policies that create equitable access to education, health, social, and economic systems. We are committed to a workplace culture with a shared passion for our mission that promotes teamwork, respect, and the opportunity to make a difference.  

Job Description:

Through our Healthy Families, Early Head Start and Head Start Programs, Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC) provides a continuum of early education and care programming for families throughout Southern Worcester County prenatally through Kindergarten enrollment. We strive to support positive parent/child interactions through developmentally appropriate curriculum and activities for the whole family to participate in. 

WCAC is seeking a qualified professional for a full-time position in our Southbridge location to maintain and strengthen families through the Early Head Start (EHS) program. Our program operates as a home-based model serving families from pregnancy through age three. The focus is to involve the parent or the primary care giver in the education of their child. Weekly home visits provide the opportunity for parenting support, education as well as community referrals.

WCAC offers a competitive salary and excellent benefit package including health, dental, vision, life, 403(b) retirement plan with Agency contribution, flexible spending account, paid holidays, vacation, personal and sick time.

Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field. Bachelor’s preferred.
• Knowledge of human services needs and community resources.
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with a diverse population.
• Must have strong communication skills.
• Must have effective time management and organizational skills.
• Strong computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office. Ability to learn the programs used within the agency.
• Ability to speak Spanish, Arabic, or Creole, a plus.

• $2,000 sign on bonus for qualified candidates 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support families and facilitate child development, support parental roles, and promote self- sufficiency in their homes for at least (90) minutes weekly.
• Utilize the home environment to assist parents in creating rich learning opportunities that build on everyday routines and support their child’s development.
• Provide supportive services to expectant parents that are flexible, responsive to family needs, complement community resources and build on family strengths and resources.
• Meet with Head Start Family Advocates to coordinate services for families in a dual program.
• Maintain program records including but not limited to family reviews, home visit forms, plans for socialization, monthly reports and all other paperwork required by the program.
• Plan and participate in socialization activities and lead groups as needed.
• Encourage parents to attend socializations and arrange transportation as needed.
• Plan and evaluate children’s goals for home visit and socialization.
• Make referrals to community service agencies and follow-up to ensure families receive the services. Act as a liaison and advocate between Early Head Start families and community resources. Provide referrals to Early Intervention for children from birth-to 3 years old and follow-up as needed.
• Responsible to complete infant and toddlers’ screenings, assessments, vision, and weight within 45 days of enrollment.
• Enter and maintain up to date information for all families in the database.
• Ensure children enrolled in the program have an up to date physical and immunization record on file.
• Complete a safety check list in children’s homes and follow up as needed.

Other Requirements:

• Ability to successfully complete a CORI/SORI/DCF fingerprinting review every two years.
• Physical ability to visit homes that are not handicapped accessible.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Evening hours maybe required to meet the needs of some the families in the program.
• Mandatory physical every two years and Mantoux test, required by DEEC. Hepatitis B (optional).
• First Aid and CPR Certificates.
• Covid Vaccination 

Send cover letter and resume specifying position via email to hr@wcac.net.

Worcester Community Action Council, Inc. is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, pregnancy or pregnancy related condition, sexual orientation, gender identification, genetic information, membership in the uniformed services or any other classification which is protected under state or federal law.