26-27 Early Beginnings Specialist

Somerville Public Schools; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Somerville Public Schools seeks an Early Beginnings Specialist to strengthen family engagement, promote healthy child development, and expand access to early learning opportunities. You will connect families with resources, support ASQ screenings, and collaborate with community partners to foster school readiness and equitable access.

The role requires working with diverse families, providing home visits when needed, and helping coordinate family programs, playgroups, and outreach activities,

Qualifications

• Experience working with young children and families in educational or community settings.
• Experience with culturally and linguistically diverse families and children with disabilities or developmental needs.
• Fluency in English; bilingual Spanish/English or Portuguese/English skills strongly preferred.
• Warm, welcoming, respectful and inclusive approach to working with families.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to build relationships with families and partners.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple responsibilities.
• Ability to collaborate in a team and work independently with initiative and good judgment.
• Comfort using technology for communication, documentation, and outreach (Google Drive, Forms, Sheets, Docs).
• Degree or coursework in early childhood education, family support, or related field preferred.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and closing opportunity gaps for young children and families.

Responsibilities

• Support and lead SFLC playgroups and provide coverage as needed.
• Build positive relationships with families and connect them with resources and services.
• Assist with ASQ developmental screenings and related family support and follow-up.
• Support Early Beginnings workshops, family programs, events, and outreach.
• Conduct ParentChild+ home visits and maintain continuity of services.
• Maintain relationships with community partners and early childhood providers.
• Help families navigate early childhood programs, school resources, and community supports.
• Assist with program logistics, registration, scheduling, supplies, and information materials.
• Support data entry, data collection, documentation, and accuracy of records.
• Maintain SFLC Early Beginnings online information, Playgroup webpage, and social media content.

Skills

Family engagement

Early childhood

Community outreach

Child development

Bilingual preferred

Education

Early childhood education experience

Tools

Google Drive

Forms

Sheets

Docs

Job description

Position Summary

The Early Beginnings Office of the Somerville Family Learning Collaborative (SFLC) works to develop and implement a comprehensive, research-based approach to prenatal and early childhood supports. This work promotes alignment and coordination across early childhood through kindergarten readiness and helps put children and families on a path toward school success.

Position Summary

The Early Beginnings Office of the Somerville Family Learning Collaborative (SFLC) works to develop and implement a comprehensive, research-based approach to prenatal and early childhood supports. This work promotes alignment and coordination across early childhood through kindergarten readiness and helps put children and families on a path toward school success.

The Early Beginnings Specialist supports this goal by strengthening family engagement, promoting healthy child development and school readiness, increasing families’ access to early learning opportunities and community resources, and fostering strong connections among families, early childhood programs, Somerville Public Schools, and community partners.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

The essential functions or responsibilities listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position

Work with Families and Communities

• Support and lead SFLC playgroups, including providing coverage as needed, while creating safe, welcoming, developmentally appropriate, and enriching learning environments for young children and their families.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with families and connect them with appropriate resources, referrals, programs, and community services.
• Assist with the administration of Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) developmental screenings and related family support and follow-up, including preparing ASQ materials and packets, supporting families in completing questionnaires, managing the online ASQ Family Access link, entering screening results, and maintaining accurate and up-to-date records.
• Support Early Beginnings workshops, family programs, community events, and outreach activities.
• Conduct ParentChild+ home visits with families as needed to support program implementation, provide coverage, and maintain continuity of services, following ParentChild+ model requirements and SFLC program practices.
• Maintain strong working relationships and open communication with community partners, early childhood providers, and other organizations serving children and families.
• Help families navigate available early childhood programs, school-based resources, and community supports.

Program and Office Support

• Assist with playgroup registration, scheduling, supplies, materials, and day-to-day program logistics.
• Support the development, organization, and maintenance of family outreach materials, program information, and community resources.
• Assist with data entry, data collection, program documentation, and impact tracking, ensuring that databases, family contact information, and email lists are accurate and up to date.
• Help maintain SFLC Early Beginnings online information, including the Playgroup webpage and social media content, as appropriate.
• Use technology effectively to support communication, program coordination, outreach, and documentation, including email, Google Drive, Forms, Sheets, and Docs.
• Organize and prioritize multiple responsibilities while working effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Provide administrative and program support across Early Beginnings initiatives as needed.

Mission, Values, and Program Guidelines

• Understand and support the SFLC mission, values, and commitment to equity, inclusion, and closing opportunity gaps.
• Follow SFLC policies, procedures, program expectations, and Playgroup guidelines.
• Promote equitable and inclusive practices and help ensure that programs and services are welcoming and accessible to all families.
• Demonstrate respect for the cultural, linguistic, socioeconomic, and family diversity of the Somerville community.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality and professional boundaries when working with children, families, staff, and community partners.
• Participate in team meetings, planning, professional development, and other Early Beginnings activities as required.
• Support other SFLC Early Beginnings and job-related activities as needed, including occasional evening and weekend programming.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Abilities, & Skills

• Experience working with young children, birth through age five, and their families in group, educational, community-based, or family support settings.
• Experience working effectively with culturally, linguistically, ethnically, and economically diverse families, including families of children with disabilities or developmental needs.
• Warm, welcoming, respectful, and inclusive approach to working with children and families.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with families, colleagues, community partners, and service providers.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team while also working independently with appropriate initiative and judgment.
• Comfort using technology for communication, documentation, outreach, and program coordination, including Google Drive, Forms, Sheets, and Docs.
• Degree, coursework, training, or relevant experience in early childhood education, child development, family support, special education, social services, or a related field preferred.
• Fluency in English required; bilingual Spanish/English or Portuguese/English skills strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, family engagement, and closing opportunity gaps for young children and families.

Physical Requirements

• Mobility: Frequent walking, standing, and navigating stairs.
• Lifting/Strength: Ability to lift, push, pull, or carry objects ranging from 10 to 30 lbs (e.g., books, supplies, equipment).
• Physical Dexterity: Bending, crouching, kneeling, stooping, and reaching to assist students.
• Stationary Tasks: Remaining in a stationary position (sitting/standing) for long periods.

Reporting Relationships

• Position Reports to: SFLC Early Beginnings Family Support Programs Director

Terms of Employment

• Position Type: Full Time
• Schedule: September - June (190 Days)
• FLSA Classification: Exempt
• Union Affiliation: Non Union
• Proration Clause: Your compensation and working days for the initial pay period will be adjusted proportionally based on your official start date.

Pre-Employment Requirements

MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Clearance

Fingerprints

The Somerville Public School does not discriminate in its programs, facilities or employment of educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, home status, marital/civil union status, sex/gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, citizenship status, place of birth, national origin, ancestry, cultural identity, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals' group or interferes with their ability to learn or work.