DEPARTMENT: Head Start & Early Learning Programs/ERSEA

POSITION TITLE: ERSEA Generalist 

LOCATION: Northampton

STATUS: Non-Exempt

SUPERVISOR: ERSEA Manager 

POSITION SUMMARY

Help us support children and families! Head Start & Early Learning Programs partners with families from pregnancy to kindergarten to form strong relationships and support their children’s learning and development. As a key member of the Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA) team, the ERSEA Generalist ensures our program is well-known in our region and that families who would benefit from being part of our community get connected and enrolled. The ERSEA Generalist has broad responsibilities, including to:

Coordinate the application, eligibility and enrollment process for participants applying for Head Start. Coordinate recruitment activities to ensure eligible families have access to the program by networking with local agencies, participating in community coalition and networking meetings, attending events, and overseeing the ERSEA Department (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, Attendance) recruitment activities. Assist families with childcare subsidies to support the full day/full year program option. Complete additional tasks in support of the department. Ensure compliance with program policies and the requirements of state and federal funders.  

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Outreach and Recruitment

• Develop and implement effective strategies for ongoing outreach and recruitment of families for HS & ELP programs and promote the availability of quality, affordable childcare and education services by representing Community Action/HS & ELP in a professional manner.
• Attend community events and network/coalition meetings, such as Perinatal Coalitions, Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE)CFCE meetings, and Community Baby Showers
• Oversee and coordinate the HS & ELP Outreach Committee and ERSEA department recruitment efforts.
• Strengthen referrals to HS & ELP from community providers who support pregnant people and families with young children.
• Build relationships with community providers and other departments within CAPV to increase community knowledge of HS & ELP’s programming; process and track referrals resulting from these relationships.
• Collaborate with the ERSEA Manager to create and implement effective social media strategies to recruit families in targeted areas.

2. Application, Eligibility, and Enrollment

• Work with Head Start at Home applicants and families applying with a voucher subsidy to conduct initial enrollment meeting (primarily over zoom) for Head Start and Early Head Start applicants to assess family needs, verify eligibility, obtain required documents, place participant on the waitlists, and refer family to resources in the community as needed.
• Enter data and maintain waitlist for assigned caseload using the GoEngage database, updating regularly, in accordance with funding source requirements and intra-agency procedures.
• Receive and process transfer requests; monitor transition status for children aging up from Early Head Start to Head Start
• Monitor eligibility status of enrolled children before their third enrollment year.
• Support the Intake and Outreach Liaison’s caseload as needed.

3. Support of full day/full year program

• Send out monthly reauthorization notices to families following Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) Financial Assistance Policies and HS & ELP’s enrollment procedures. 
• Ongoing assistance as needed for the EEC Enrollment Counselor including monitor dual authorization fee agreements and contact parents.
• Have comprehensive and thorough knowledge of EEC Enrollment Policies to serve as support to or back up for the EEC Enrollment Counselor\

4. Additional support to the ERSEA Department

• Create monthly ERSEA newsletter to send to all H & SELP staff.
• Become knowledgeable of the GoEngage database to support ERSEA department activities.
• Other assistance as needed. 

5. Relate in a professional manner to children, clients, Community Action/HS & ELP staff.

6. When working remotely, comply with the agency’s policy

7. Travel to occasional outreach events throughout the Service area

8. Maintain strictest confidentiality.

9. Comply with agency and funders’ paperwork requirements and procedures.

10. Attend regularly scheduled supervision meetings, team meetings, mandatory agency trainings, and participate in professional development activities.

11. Perform related work as required.

This does not cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may be adjusted to meet the operational needs of the agency.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or High School Equivalency and two years of related experience 
• Or AA in related field and 6 months experience

SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Strong presentation skills
• Proficient computer skills including use of mouse, email, Microsoft Office; experience with databases and data entry desired.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with attention to detail and a high level of accuracy
• Understanding the importance of capturing quality data and the ability to track it with existing systems.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with others.
• Ability to prioritize tasks across different projects and complete them within a timely manner.
• Sensitivity to Racial, cultural, gender, sexuality and socioeconomic diversity and the needs of individuals with low incomes
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working environment.
• Understanding of/willingness to learn & advocate for trauma-informed and equitable practices. 
• Understanding of/willingness to learn and create community responsiveness to poverty’s effect on individuals and families.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Requires sitting for long periods of time.
• Working in an office environment.
• Some bending and stretching required.
• Extensive use of the telephone is required.
• Extensive use of a computer is required.
• Delivering outreach materials and setting up display tent and table at events.
• Manual dexterity required for use of calculator and computer keyboard.
• Must be able to lift from 20 – 30 lbs.

AA/EOE/ADA

Employment is contingent upon the following: a satisfactory Background Record Check (BRC) which includes Criminal Offender Record (C.O.R.I.), Department of Children and Families (DCF) background check, Sex Offender Registry information (SORI) checks, fingerprint-based national and state criminal history database checks, National Sex Offender Registry (NCOR), and Out-of-State checks (CORI, SORI, DCF) if an individual has lived in another state within the last five years. BRC and fingerprinting-based national and state criminal history check is completed every three years. In addition, employment is contingent on evidence of physical exam within the past year, plus verification of MMRs. Documentation of subsequent physical exams must be submitted every 2 years.