Eligibility and Recruitment (ERSEA) Specialist

Riverside Community Care; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Riverside Community Care in Somerville, MA is seeking an ERSEA Specialist to oversee eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment and attendance for Early Head Start. You will focus on intake completion, processing applications, data entry in ChildPlus, and waitlist management to support a smooth enrollment pipeline.

The role involves community outreach with families and partners, ensuring compliance with Head Start standards and accurate data reporting.

Qualifications

• Experience with data entry and database systems.
• Experience with intake processes, eligibility determination, or enrollment systems.
• Experience working with families preferred.
• Early Head Start/Head Start experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment and attendance processes.
• Manage intake completion, application processing and waitlists.
• Enter data accurately into ChildPlus and maintain compliant records.
• Engage with referrals, families and community partners to support enrollment.
• Support outreach efforts to improve enrollment pipelines.

Skills

Multilingual

Organizational skills

Time management

Documentation accuracy

Engaging families

Education

Associate's degree in human services or related field

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

ChildPlus

Job description

Child and Family Services

Somerville, MA

ID: 12416-709

Full-Time/Regular

Exciting opportunity to join Riverside Community Care as Early Head Start's Eligibility and Recruitment (ERSEA) Specialist!

The ERSEA Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance processes, with a primary focus on intake completion, application processing, ChildPlus data entry, and waitlist management.

This role plays a key function in supporting the program’s enrollment pipeline by ensuring families move efficiently from referral to intake to enrollment. The position also actively participates in community outreach and recruitment efforts, engaging directly with prospective families and community partners.

The ERSEA Specialist ensures that all data is accurate, timely, and compliant with Head Start Program Performance Standards while identifying and communicating barriers impacting enrollment.

Schedule: Full Time Monday through Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. with occasional evenings and weekends

Pay Rate

• Associate's Degree: $21.44/hour
• Associate's Degree: $22.40/hour with bilingual language skills
• Bachelor's Degree: $22.18/hour
• Bachelor's Degree: $23.14/hour with bilingual language skills

Why You'll Love Riverside

We make a true difference in people’s lives through rewarding work. Most of our jobs come with great benefits – including healthcare, numerous professional development opportunities, and generous time off - all in a respectful and inclusive environment, perhaps why Riverside was named a Boston Globe Top Workplace and a best-in-state employer by Forbes.

Benefits Include

• Comprehensive, high-quality health, dental, and vision insurance options
• Flexible Spending Accounts – both medical and dependent care
• Twelve paid holidays
• Separate accruals for vacation (increases with tenure), personal, and sick time
• Tax-deferred 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer match
• Employee Assistance Plan / Travel Assistance Plan
• Employee bonus for referrals resulting in hiring
• Discounts to movie theaters, sporting, and entertainment events
• Employee YMCA discount: 10% off a YMCA monthly membership and 50% off the joiner’s fee

Our Benefits

Our Culture

Hear what employees think about working for Riverside!

Required Skills

• Multilingual candidates preferred
• Strong organizational, administrative, and time management skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to manage detailed documentation processes and maintain high levels of accuracy and compliance
• Comfortable engaging prospective families and community members; able to confidently explain program services and support enrollment
• Valid Massachusetts driver’s license and regular access to a reliable vehicle

Required Experience

• Associate's degree, or equivalent, in human services or related field required; Bachelor's Degree preferred.
• Experience working with families preferred
• Early Head Start/Head Start experience preferred
• Experience with data entry and database systems required (ChildPlus or similar preferred)
• Experience with intake processes, eligibility determination, or enrollment systems preferred

Riverside Community Care is dedicated to respect, integrity and engagement of all individuals. We are committed to building an inclusive and culturally competent organization and we value the richness of having a diverse applicant pool. As an employer committed to equal opportunity, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic as established by law.