in Will County, IL
Job Description
Role Summary:
INCCRRA is seeking a Family and Community Engagement Specialist to work in the Birth to Five Illinois Department. The Family and Community Engagement Specialist will play a vital role in establishing and nurturing the foundation of support for the Early Childhood Regional and Community System within their Region. Key to success is a candidate who brings experience working in the community as a conduit for family voice with a belief in the value of the collective impact model. This position will support the Regional Council Manager by engaging parent/caregiver leadership, family decision-making, and the co-creation of solutions in the local ECEC landscape.
What will you be doing?
- Work in collaboration with the Regional Council Manager and the State Team/Central Office to ensure family voice is at the center of all decisions.
- Build and support critical connections to expand and align with other partners in the community that are supporting children and families.
- Actively work with parent and community engagement efforts across institutions and sectors to drive alignment and improve coordination with Department activities and objectives.
- Facilitate consistent feedback mechanisms between parents, families, the community, and the entire Early Childhood Regional Community System network.
- Ensure all work is delivered on time, within scope, and within budget; provide regular reports on progress against goals and indicators.
- Submit monthly reports on Family Council activities (i.e., challenges and deliverables) to the Central Office Family & Community Engagement Team.
- Coordinate and facilitate focus groups, individual meetings, and large groups, as needed.
- Implement creative thinking around ways to engage families.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
- Travel within the State as needed, up to 50%.
Knowledge, Skills and abilities we are looking for:
- Bilingual (ability to read, write, and speak) in Spanish preferred.
- Bachelor's degree or beyond in Early Childhood Education, Child and Family Development, Social Work, or related discipline.
- Must possess four-plus years direct experience working with children and families; specifically engaging family members in advisory committees or like activities is preferred.
- Must know how to meet the needs of the diverse population of the State of Illinois, including those with disabilities and English Language Learners.
- Must maintain knowledge of culturally and racially responsive practices.
- Must be able to build effective relationships with a range of diverse stakeholders.
- Experience in community organizing and relationship building is preferred.
- Must be able to simplify complex information and communicate it to a general audience.
- Must be willing to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends, as needed.
- Must live or have experience in the boundaries of the Region.
- Travel within the State as needed, up to 50%.
- Must hold a valid Illinois State Driver's License.
- Must meet minimum vehicle insurance from the Illinois State insurance requirement for personal vehicle; $100,000 Bodily Injury per accident (single person) / $300,000 Bodily Injury per accident max (multiple persons) / $25,000 Property damage.
