Specialized Resource Navigator-Childcare and School Access

Nonprofit Connect; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 26,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Show Me KC Schools is seeking a dedicated Specialized Resource Navigator to support families with childcare and school access, funded through a multi-year grant. This in-person, full-time role emphasizes addressing barriers, partnering with housing communities, and collaborating with city-wide coalitions to advance workforce goals.

You will serve as a liaison, provide education, and help participants access training and employment opportunities in Kansas City, MO. Background checks are required.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Three or more years in non-profit or community outreach preferred.
• Experience working with people living in poverty and barriers to childcare/school access.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks.
• Knowledge of Kansas City neighborhoods and transportation.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with CEO team and community resources to address childcare and school access barriers.
• Engage participants at Phoenix Family-supported housing communities.
• Develop materials with the CEO project team and navigators.
• Maintain regular hours on-site at Phoenix Family housing communities.
• Build relationships with community partners and coalitions.
• Present workshops and community events with coaching.
• Complete CEO model training, EMPath Mobility Mentoring.
• Train on SchoolAppKC platform.
• Participate in annual outreach events.
• Record interactions and progress accurately.
• Other duties as needed.

Skills

Non-profit outreach

Community engagement

Conflict resolution

Communication skills

Independent work

Problem solving

Knowledge of KC neighborhoods

Mobility support awareness

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Organization Overview

Show Me KC Schools is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help families make well-informed decisions about their students’ education by providing vital information about available school options. Show Me KC Schools grew out of a group of parents with school-aged children who were committed to living in Kansas City, Missouri, and eager to find the right education for their children in a complicated school landscape. We are a neutral organization (not affiliated with any one school or district) and have grown to offer a variety of programs for Kansas Citians, including the only city-wide school fair, a podcast, and our website. We’re a one-stop shop to help families start finding the right school for their children.

Show Me KC Schools is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help families make well-informed decisions about their students’ education by providing vital information about available school options. Show Me KC Schools grew out of a group of parents with school-aged children who were committed to living in Kansas City, Missouri, and eager to find the right education for their children in a complicated school landscape. We are a neutral organization (not affiliated with any one school or district) and have grown to offer a variety of programs for Kansas Citians, including the only city-wide school fair, a podcast, and our website. We’re a one-stop shop to help families start finding the right school for their children.

Position Summary

The Specialized Resource Navigator-Childcare and School Access provides support to parents and caregivers searching for childcare and school options.

This position is funded through a 3-year grant in partnership with the Coalition for Equity and Opportunity (CEO). Continuation of this position beyond any given year is contingent on annual grant funding renewal. Show Me KC Schools cannot guarantee continued employment in this role if grant funding is not renewed or if the grant partnership ends prior to the full three-year term.

The goal of this project is to ensure individuals in affordable housing can meet their employment goals by addressing multiple barriers to economic mobility, including childcare and school options. The Navigator will spend time removing childcare-related barriers for participants and advancing the mission of both Show Me KC Schools and the CEO, facilitated by lead agency Phoenix Family. This is a full-time (40 hours per week) in-person position, and the Navigator will be on site at various Phoenix Family-supported neighborhoods monthly.

This is a non-exempt, hourly position eligible for overtime pay in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and Missouri wage and hour law. The hourly pay for this role is $23.00 per hour. The Specialized Resource Navigator will report to the Chief Operating Officer of Show Me KC Schools.

This is a non-exempt, hourly position eligible for overtime pay in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and Missouri wage and hour law. The hourly pay for this role is $23.00 per hour.

Primary Responsibilities

• Work with the CEO project team, including Life Coaches and Specialized Resource Navigators, as well as community resources, to address childcare and school access barriers to workforce training and employment.
• Provide specialized navigation, education, outreach, and enrollment directly with participants and potential participants at Phoenix Family-supported housing communities.
• Develop materials and information for use in collaboration with the CEO project team and SMKCS’ Navigators.
• Maintain regularly scheduled hours at Phoenix Family-supported housing communities in coordination with Phoenix Family Service Coordinators and the CEO project team.
• Build relationships and collaborate with community partners, advocates, coalitions, and group(s) specific to childcare and schools or districts that work closely with families securing childcare or school enrollment to deepen knowledge of available resources, remove barriers, and improve participant access.
• Serve as a presenter for workshops and community events (the organization will provide content and presentation coaching).
• Complete intensive training and ongoing workshops on the CEO model, including trauma-informed care and the EMPath Mobility Mentoring® evidence-based coaching approach, and all training as assigned.
• Complete training on the SchoolAppKC application platform.
• Participate in Show Me KC Schools annual outreach events.
• Timely and accurate record-keeping of participant interactions, attendance, barrier removal, and partnership building.
• Other relevant duties as necessary.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Three or more years of relevant experience in non-profit, community outreach, or a related field preferred.
• Lived experience or experience working with people living in poverty and an understanding of barriers faced, particularly childcare and/or school access when seeking workforce training and employment.
• Passionate about both helping people exit poverty and addressing root causes of poverty.
• Strong problem-solving skills and demonstrated experience providing conflict resolution and mediation.
• High degree of knowledge about Kansas City’s neighborhoods and ability to work in all parts of the community.
• Strong sense of initiative and the ability to be successful working independently.
• Proven organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong written and oral communication skills with strong ability to interface and engage diverse groups and stakeholders.
• Ability to be successful in a growing organization; able to be flexible, to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and to take on new projects as assigned.
• Reliable transportation and ability to lift 50 lbs.

Employment in this position is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Because this role involves direct interaction with families and children in supported housing communities, background screening requirements may include criminal history and other checks as required by Show Me KC Schools post-offer/pre-start.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role. Candidates who require accommodation during the application or interview process should contact [e-mail].

Show Me KC Schools is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, Missouri, or local law. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.