Family Worker

The Metro YMCA of the Oranges has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated, mission-driven, candidate to join our team.

Job Description

We are an all - inclusive organization joined together by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility. As a growing, mission focused, and future-oriented association of YMCAs, the Metro YMCA of the Oranges has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated, mission-driven, candidate to join our team.

The Family Worker utilizes knowledge of the principles of family engagement to support families in their role as their child’s first teacher, encouraging parent/child interactions that promote school readiness and healthy development and enhancing family well-being. The family worker promotes family development and advancement and helps parents and caregivers achieve family goals and build social networks to improve family leadership and advocacy skills through participation in the agency governance, such as becoming class parents and/or members of the Policy Council, as well as other agency and community-based leadership opportunities.

Qualifications

• An Associate's degree or Child Development Associate credential is preferred.
• Experience working with families with young children is required.
• Experience working in family childcare and/or with infants and toddlers is preferred.
• Participation in the Family Development Credential certification program, unless otherwise certified as a Social Worker or other applicable degree.
• Flexibility to function in a changing work environment with the ability to set priorities and multitask.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Must have reliable transportation and the ability to travel within service area.
• Appreciation for the unique needs of all families.
• Follow through with all projects and assignments, follow timelines, and meet scheduled deadlines.
• Strong organizational skills, detail oriented, and planning skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with all levels including staff, parents and members.
• Proficient in all standard business software.
• Knowledgeable about office processes and procedures.
• Ability to work with integrity, discretion and a professional approach.
• CPR and First Aid Certifications.
  
  

Essential Functions

• Support the enrollment process of families, including recruitment, registration, intake, family assessment, and ongoing support to families
• Assist families in completing site-specific application paperwork and documents throughout the school year
• Initiate, and conduct outreach, stakeholder and community engagement activities to achieve enrollment goals
• Assist in marketing your location to ensure that all advertising, social media, etc., are accurate and of the highest quality
• Familiarize families on Chronic Absenteeism as well as keep up to date on Attendance Success Plan
• Implement a family engagement and outreach planned as outlined
• Work with the West Orange School Districts’ Community and Parent Involvement Specialist to meet State of New Jersey guidelines for family engagement
• Communicate with parents regularly through emails, phone calls, etc. as well as engage parents in any events or issues occurring in the program
• Coordinate monthly family engagement workshops, special events, and other activities to maintain family participation
• Work with families to create individualized family plans
• Conduct the Home Visitation process to build rapport with families (3 visits per family)
• Document all family engagement conversations and sessions in a timely manner
• Connect parents/caregivers to appropriate resources and make necessary referrals to community partners
• Prepare Parent Orientation, Welcome Back Events, and other parent engagement activities
• Ensure the Strengthening Families Assessment and other surveys are completed by all families at your location and proper resources are being provided to them
• Promote parent engagement/involvement in both home and school-based activities; this includes encouraging meaningful parent volunteer opportunities
• Attend Professional Development Days led by the Community and Parent Involvement Specialist
• Uphold, model, teach and put the four (4) core values of the YMCA into action in all activities: Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility
• Create a positive and nurturing learning environment to instill and encourage youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility
• Performs other duties as assigned
  
  

Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies

Mission Advancement: Accepts and demonstrates the Y’s values. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them. Supports fund-raising.

Collaboration: Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Seeks first to understand the other person’s point of view, and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.

Operational Effectiveness: Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work and actively participates in meetings. Follows budgeting policies and procedures, and reports all financial irregularities immediately. Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.

Personal Growth: Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change, and seeks opportunities in the change process. Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths and limitations and how they impact relationships. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.