Family Resource & Early Learning Enrollment Specialist

Akin (formerly Children's Home Society of Washington + Childhaven); Spokane Valley (WA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Akin is seeking a Family Resource Specialist / EL Enrollment Specialist to greet participants, connect families with resources, and lead recruitment and enrollment for Head Start/ECEAP programs. You will support daily FRC operations, maintain confidential records, and ensure continuous enrollment across sites, including mobile pantry activities.

Responsibilities include coordinating recruitment plans, networking with community partners, and providing referrals and emergency assistance while

Qualifications

• AA, credential, or certificate in social work, human services, family services or related field.
• Minimum of three years of experience working with low-income families.
• Access to a reliable, insured vehicle for work-related travel.
• Proof of physical exam within the past 12 months (updated every three years).
• One-step Mantoux TB skin test prior to start of employment, unless written proof of a negative test within the past 12 months is provided.

Responsibilities

• Greet participants and connect them with resources and programs.
• Lead recruitment and enrollment activities for Head Start/ECEAP programs.
• Maintain confidential records and document eligibility.
• Assist with data entry and program support tasks.
• Collaborate with community partners to promote Akin programs.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Public relations

Time management

Education

AA, credential, or certificate in social work/human services

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

SharePoint

Data entry systems

Job description

Position Summary

The Family Resource Specialist / EL Enrollment Specialist is the first face of the Akin Family Resource Center when participants come in or call for resources, support, and programs, and also leads recruitment and enrollment activities to inform families and community partners of the availability of Akin Early Learning program services and ensure continuous full enrollment. This role performs a variety of tasks related to the daily operation of the FRC while implementing services to meet or exceed Head Start and ECEAP Program Performance Standards and Akin policies and procedures. Has access to protected healthcare information (PHI) or confidential identifiable information (CII), both paper and electronic, as necessary, to perform related job duties and responsibilities.

Essential Functions

Family Resource Center Mobile

• Creating a warm and welcoming environment for all community members
• Assisting participants in accessing concrete goods
• Providing information about Akin programs and external resources
• Referring participants to Family Navigation for secondary prevention and/or family development activities
• Drive FRC Mobile to transport food, supplies, and equipment to and from distribution sites
• Load, unload, and set up food and equipment at mobile pantry locations, ensuring compliance with food safety and handling protocols
• Receive, unpack, and record food deliveries; sort, store, rotate stock, and monitor inventory levels. Keeping FRC Manager updated on resource needs
• Assist with additional FRC programming and data entry requirements as needed
• Referring participants to other Akin programs available by site
• Referring participants to external resources as needed/appropriate
• Light clerical work to support the operations of the Akin Family Resource Center

Early Learning Recruitment & Enrollment

• Designs and implements recruitment plans and actively participates in the recruitment of children and families
• Attends networking meetings, coalitions, and events throughout the service area to promote Akin Early Learning programs
• Nets with community agencies and service providers who can serve as referral partners
• Supports families in applying for admission to Early Learning programs
• Determines, verifies, and documents eligibility for Head Start/ECEAP programs based on state and federal guidelines
• Completes enrollments for Head Start/ECEAP programs, ensuring continuous full enrollment
• Provides appropriate resources, referrals, and emergency assistance as needed during the enrollment process
• Maintains complete, objective, timely, and confidential records for children and families
• Provides on-the-job technical support for new staff members and volunteers

General

• Attends required Akin and Early Learning trainings, as well as community-based trainings as needed
• Participates in weekly team meetings and regular team-building activities
• Performs other duties as assigned by Supervisor to advance the mission, vision, and values of Akin

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Skilled in decision making. Ability to work independently as well as part of a team, complete assigned projects, and carry out multiple tasks
• Reliable and dependable, arriving on time
• Willingness and ability to pivot as needed to address immediate needs presented by families and community
• Ability to establish positive, goal-oriented relationships with individuals and families
• Availability to work evenings and weekends as needed for recruitment and activities
• Competence in planning, organizing, scheduling, record keeping, and oral and written communication
• Knowledge of community resources and the ability to establish and build collaborative partnerships with community agencies and their staff
• Experienced in and/or willingness to learn Microsoft Office Suite (including Office 365), SharePoint, and internal data systems; proficient in data entry
• Ability to adapt to new technology
• Strong communication skills with the ability to develop and maintain good public relations among participants, volunteers, community members, and staff

Working Environment

• This job is performed in the Family Resource Center, families' homes, an Akin office environment, FRC Mobile, and personal vehicle
• Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, printers, phones); typical office lighting and temperatures
• Moderate to frequent interruptions depending on location; ability to work in a confined area and sit at a computer for an extended period
• Home environments may include pets, residual smoke, pests, and other typical household hazards like dirt and other spills (Note: we do not allow smoking during visits)
• Travel for enrollment visits occurs regularly; work is often done off-site between home visits

Hybrid Work Arrangements

Due to the need to be client facing, this role is 100% in-person and is not eligible for hybrid work. The position also requires occasional evening and weekend work to support events, deadlines, recruitment activities, or operational needs.

Physical Demands

• While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard; occasionally to reach, stoop, and kneel
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work
• Regular, predictable attendance is required
• Ability to sit on the floor, crouch, or kneel regularly during home visits
• Ability to sit in a car frequently
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds and push/pull up to 30 pounds

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications

• AA, credential, or certificate in social work, human services, family services or related field
• Minimum of three years' experience working with low-income families
• Access to a reliable, insured vehicle for work-related travel
• Proof of physical exam within the past 12 months (updated every three years)
• One-step Mantoux TB skin test prior to start of employment, unless written proof of a negative test within the past 12 months is provided. For those who have previously tested positive, documented proof of treatment from a doctor or a negative chest x-ray must be provided
• Proof of MMR vaccine or positive MMR titer
• Completion of Akin and DCYF criminal history background check, including registry with MERIT to include fingerprinting
• (https://apps.dcyf.wa.gov/MERIT/Home/SignInRegister)
• A valid driver's license and a favorable driving record, with no more than three violations within the past three years

Required Within 30 Days Of Hire

• CPR and Pediatric First Aid certification
• HIV/AIDS and Bloodborne Pathogen training
• Food Handler's Permit

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual in English and Amharic, Arabic, Dari, Hindi, Oromo, Pashto, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, or Urdu (as needed)
• Lived experience

Salary Range And Benefits

We provide a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive pay, medical, dental and retirement benefits and paid time off. As required by various pay transparency laws, we share a competitive range of compensation for candidates hired into each position. The target starting pay for this position is $21.321 - $25.056 per hour, typically within the first half of these ranges. Actual offers will be based on individual qualifications relevant to the role and will not take an applicant’s pay history into account. The range above allows our employees room for growth during their tenure in the position.