PARENT EDUCATOR

Knox County; Tennessee; Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Knox County Health Department in Tennessee seeks a Family Services Specialist to provide educational support and counseling to families in the PAT home visitation program, focusing on healthy pregnancies, parent-child interaction, and family well-being.

Responsibilities include delivering PAT components with fidelity, planning visits, assessing families, documenting records, connecting to community resources, recruiting families, and participating in professional development; candidates must

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Studies, Education, Psychology, Social Work, or related field.
• Minimum of three years' related experience.
• Complete Parents as Teachers certification training within six months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Deliver PAT components with fidelity using foundational curricula and QA guidelines.
• Plan visits, review resources, and adapt materials for family education.
• Conduct family assessments and screen prenatal health, parenting, and development.
• Maintain accurate records and complete reports on schedule.
• Develop and implement family plans and connect families to community resources.
• Recruit families for program and participate in outreach events.
• Attend staff trainings and contribute to CQI initiatives.
• Plan and participate in educational group activities and community events.

Skills

Attention to detail

Interpersonal skills

Customer service

Verbal and written communication

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Studies, Education, Psychology, Social Work, or related field

Tools

Windows OS

Microsoft Office

Public health software

Job description

The purpose of this classification is to provide educational support and counseling activities to families enrolled in the evidence-based Parents as Teachers (PAT) home visitation program with a focus on healthy pregnancies, parent-child interaction, development-centered parenting and family well-being.

Essential Functions:

• Service Delivery: Provides education and support to families with a focus on building confidence, increasing independence in managing challenges, and fostering success.
• Program Fidelity: Delivers all PAT model components with fidelity using PAT Foundational Curricula, including PAT Essential Requirements and Quality Assurance Guidelines; maintains required caseload and visit schedule.
• Visit Planning: Prepares for visits by reviewing parent educator resources; gathers and adapts materials for family education and activities.
• Screening and Assessment: Conducts family assessments and screenings, evaluating factors related to prenatal health, parenting behavior, and early development progress.
• Data and Documentation: Maintains accurate electronic and paper records; completes home-visit notes, PAT event attendance, screening summaries, and other reports within required timelines; keeps daily calendar up to date.
• Family Service Planning: Develops and implements family plans, regularly evaluating family progress and engaging family members to facilitate outcomes.
• Resource Connection: Connects families to community agencies based on needs identified in assessments; coordinates access to services and resources; follows up on referrals made and actions to be taken by families.
• Outreach and Recruitment: Recruits families for program; coordinates outreach events with the Outreach and Family Engagement Coordinator to build PAT presence and reputation in the community.
• Professional Development: Participates in staff meetings, trainings, and regular reflective supervision at a minimum of two hours per month; contributes to continuous quality improvement (CQI).
• Event Planning and Participation: Plans, conducts and participates in educational parent group activities and/or targeted community-based events.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Studies, Education, Psychology, Social Work, or related field
• Certifications (Required By Hire): None
• Certifications (Required After Hire): Complete Parents as Teachers certification training within six (6) months of hire
• Experience: Minimum of three (3) years' related experience
• Preferences: Ability to communicate bilingually (English and Spanish); non-smoking and non-vaping; experience working in home visiting; familiarity with community services and resources
• Other Requirements: Must possess and maintain a valid TN State Driver's License; must have reliable transportation and maintain automobile liability insurance that meets Tennessee’s financial responsibility law on personal automobile; must have reliable home internet; must be able to enter homes of clients.

Substitutes for Requirements:

• Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered for employment into the position.
• Background check will be conducted prior to hire.
• Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) review will be conducted prior to being authorized to drive for county business.

Key Knowledge:

• Knowledge of prenatal and child growth/development (birth to age five), parent-child relationships, and related parenting needs.
• Knowledge of Knox County health, social service, and educational resources.

Key Skills:

• Proficient in Windows OS and Microsoft Office.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving
• Team-oriented with excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Capable of handling moderately complex tasks.
• Effective verbal and written communicator.
• Culturally sensitive and respectful to clients from diverse backgrounds.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Quick to learn new public health software.

Abilities:

• This position requires the ability to engage in occasional moderate physical activity.

Additional Job Functions:

• Local and occasional overnight travel are required.
• Occasional after hours/evening work may be necessary.
• Respond to and report immediately if called upon by local, regional or central office supervisors, as part of a coordinated emergency response by the Knox County Mayor’s Office.
• Ensure regular, punctual attendance during scheduled work hours.
• Perform other duties as required.
• Provides home-based services in varied environments, including residences that may be unsanitary, in poor repair and in neighborhoods with elevated safety risks; adheres to agency safety protocols and exercises sound judgment to minimize personal risk.

Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed remotely and in clients’ homes, with regularly scheduled on‑site responsibilities and occasional community events and off‑site locations.

The Knox County Health Department was the first health department in Tennessee to achieve national voluntary accreditation and is dedicated to ensuring the conditions in which every resident can be healthy. We offer a competitive benefit package and actively foster a healthy, supportive workplace culture where our team members can develop, advance, and make meaningful impact in the community.
Knox County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Knox County Government may provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.