Community Resource Specialist

Bay Area Community Resources (BACR); Fairfield (CT); On-site; USD 39,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision coverage

Life insurance

Employee assistance program

Flexible spending account

Commuter benefits

Professional development

Job summary

Bay Area Community Resources (BACR) seeks a Community Resource & Child Development Specialist at the Fairfield First 5 Center to support families with young children through relationship-based, family-centered services.

You will provide parent education, leadership opportunities, and developmentally appropriate play experiences while connecting families to housing, childcare, mental health, and other services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in child development, early childhood education, psychology, social work, or related field and 3 years working with young children and families.
• At least 1 year of professional experience using ASQ in early intervention.
• Experience collaborating with community agencies, multidisciplinary teams, and family-serving systems.

Responsibilities

• Engage families, assess strengths and goals, and connect to community resources and public services.
• Facilitate ASQ screenings and support early intervention as needed.
• Lead parent education, developmental playgroups, and family-centered programming.

Skills

Early childhood development

Trauma-informed care

Public benefits access

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

ASQ experience

Job description

Job Description:

The Community Resource & Child Development Specialist (CRS) at the Fairfield First 5 Center plays a key role in supporting children and families through relationship-based, family-centered services. A team of two CRSs will collaborate to provide parent education and leadership opportunities, developmental guidance, community resource navigation, and early learning experiences for families of diverse backgrounds with young children.

The CRS builds trusted relationships with families by creating welcoming spaces for connection, support, and shared problem-solving. Using a strengths-based approach, the CRS partners with families to explore goals, navigate challenges, and connect to community resources and public services such as housing, mental health support, childcare, and other family-serving systems. Responsibilities also include facilitating the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program, conducting developmental screenings using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), and providing guidance that helps families feel informed and empowered in their parenting journey.

Child development knowledge is brought to life through engaging, hands-on playgroups and early learning experiences that encourage children to explore, discover, and grow. Through reflective conversations and culturally responsive practice, the CRS helps families better understand their child’s cues, strengths, and development while fostering connection, empathy, and responsive caregiving.

This role emphasizes being a builder of community, a trusted source of support and reassurance, and a partner in family strengthening. With a commitment to cultural humility, collaboration, and inclusive practice, the Community Resource & Child Development Specialist helps foster a welcoming and enriching environment for children, families, staff, and community partners at the Fairfield First 5 Center.

Benefits

• Pay rate: $28-$29/hour
• Full Time 40 hours - Monday through Friday 8 am-4:30pm (some evenings and weekends required)
• Agency and Federal Holiday pay
• Employee assistance program, dental, vision, wellness program, life insurance, flexible spending account, commuter benefits, wellness package
• Medical insurance
• Professional development opportunities

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in child development, early childhood education, psychology, social work, or a related field + 3 years of experience working with young children and their families
• At least 1 year of professional experience in early intervention using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ)
• Experience collaborating with community agencies, multidisciplinary teams and family-serving systems
• Preferred: Experience working with and building trusted relationships with Black/African American families and communities, and demonstrated ability to provide culturally responsive, strengths-based services that reflect community assets, experiences, and needs
• Preferred: Experience facilitating developmental playgroups, parent education workshops, or other family-centered early childhood programming

Knowledge and Skills

• Understanding of early childhood development, social-emotional development, attachment, bonding, trauma-informed care, and early childhood mental health
• Knowledge of the challenges impacting families experiencing poverty and ability to support families using a reflective, relationship-based, and strengths-based approach
• Familiarity with community resources and public benefit systems, including housing, childcare, healthcare, mental health, nutrition supports, and family services
• Ability to facilitate engaging, developmentally appropriate activities and parent-child experiences
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, work independently, and adapt to changing program needs

Communication and Relationship Building

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Preferred: Experience providing family support, early childhood, parent education, community engagement, or resource navigation services in culturally diverse communities, including Black/African American communities, with demonstrated success building authentic partnerships with families and community leaders. We value candidates who demonstrate a commitment to culturally responsive, community-centered, strengths-based, and equity-focused practices.

Professional Qualities

• Ability to take initiative, exercise sound judgment, and manage responsibilities with flexibility and professionalism
• Organized and adaptable, with the ability to prioritize tasks and respond to changing program and family needs
• Commitment to community-centered work and supporting families with empathy, respect, and cultural humility
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends

Technical Skills and Physical Requirements

• Basic knowledge of modern office technology and software
• Ability to regularly lift up to 25 pounds as part of classroom and program setup

Roles & Responsibilities

Family Engagement, Resource Navigation & Parent Leadership

• Build relationships with families to identify strengths, goals, and areas of support
• Connect families to community resources and public services through information-sharing, referrals, advocacy, enrollment assistance, and system navigation
• Support parent leadership initiatives, including organizing Parent Advisory Committee meetings and incorporating family feedback into Center programming
• Engage caregivers in meaningful conversations about child development, parenting, and family well-being while offering guidance, encouragement, and resources

Early Intervention & Developmental Screening & Family Support

• Conduct ASQ-3 and ASQ-SE developmental screenings with children and families
• Review screening results, monitor developmental progress, and support families in accessing appropriate early intervention and community resources
• Discuss caregiver questions and concerns using a supportive, strengths-based approach
• Maintain accurate, confidential screening records and progress reports
• Coordinate ASQ appointments and support screening implementation across the Center
• Train and coach staff on ASQ screening procedures and support occasional ASQ-focused events

Parent Education, Playgroups & Program Facilitation

• Facilitate the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program, including workshops and one-on-one parent coaching (training provided)
• Lead engaging developmental playgroups and hands-on learning experiences that support children’s growth and exploration
• Create welcoming, enriching, and developmentally appropriate environments for children ages 0-5 years to learn through play
• Engage caregivers in meaningful conversations about child development, offering guidance, encouragement, and resources

Collaboration, Operations & Community Partnership

• Collaborate with colleagues to provide integrated, family-centered services and support Center leadership and operations in the Director’s absence alongside partner CRS
• Build relationships with service providers and participate in community partnership and outreach activities to raise awareness of the Fairfield First 5 Center with local families.
• Maintain records, collect data, prepare reports, and utilize the Center’s data systems
• Participate in professional development, trainings-including Ages and Stages developmental screenings, and Community Health Worker (CHW) certification in alignment with CalAIM requirements
• Support Center operations and shared team responsibilities, including administrative support, front desk coverage, childcare support, Diaper Bank support (if current), and maintaining a clean, organized, and program-ready environment

About Us:

Bay Area Community Resources (BACR) promotes the healthy development of individuals, families and communities through direct services, volunteerism, and partnerships in the San Francisco Bay Area.

We have deep respect for the communities we serve throughout the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, the dedicated staff who show up for those in need, and the opportunity we have been given through this work to promote resilience in tens of thousands of individuals every year.

BACR is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate, support, and thrive on diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment w/o regard to perceived age, marital or familial status, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, physical or mental disability including AIDS or AIDS-Related Complex or military status.

www.bacr.org

Above is the pay range for this position that we reasonably expect to pay. Individual compensation is based on various factors including experience/education, skillset, and geographic location.