VOALA
Helping Our Most Vulnerable Change Their Life Stories
Volunteers of America is a non-profit human services organization committed to serving people in need, strengthening families, and building communities. VOALA provides a variety of social services to Los Angeles area communities such as Head Start programs, Upward Bound college prep programs, veterans’ services, homeless shelters, low-income housing program as well as drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Learn more at www.voala.org.
EARLY HEAD START
Through our Head Start and Early Head Start programs, we work with children (infant – 5 year olds) and their families to provide the skills, confidence and stable home life necessary for a smooth transition into kindergarten and beyond. The Early Head Start positions are generally Monday through Friday.
JOB SUMMARY AND PURPOSE
Under the supervision of the Home Base Supervisor, the Home Visitor supports the Early Head Start program cornerstones of child development, family development, community-building and staff development. This role fosters the view and practice in parents that they are their child’s first teacher and provides practical suggestions to families to reinforce this concept.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Identifies, recruits and enrolls families for participation in the Head Start Program
- Maintains caseload of 10 - 12 families; visits each family home for at least 90 minutes weekly
- Consults with families and staff to identify the challenges and needs of each family and/or child; explores and suggests possible solutions
- Works with parents to make weekly activity and home visit plans based on the child's assessment and identified family needs
- Plans, participates and implements socializations twice a month;
- Works with parents to establish and attain agreed-upon goals
- Fosters the view and practice in parents that they are thier child’s first teaher and reinforce this concept with practical suggestions
- Acts as a liaison and advocate between community resources and HS families;
- Helps families as necessary to arrange and keep medical and dental appointments as required by HS.
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications
- Valid California driver’s license and access to dependable automobile with adequate insurance in order to make home visits and/or to travel to different school and office sites
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS:
- Proof at the time of hire
- TB clearance within 6 months prior
- Annual Influenza vaccination (between Aug 1 – Dec 1)
- Pertussis (whooping cough) and measles immunization
- Health screening at the time of employment
- Requires ability to interact with children in a busy environment including, but not limited to:
- Able to lift up to 50 lbs.
- Frequently kneel and squat
- Ability to move quickly
EDUCATION:
- Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field
- Transcripts required to prove a minimum of required semester units:
- 24 semester units in Early Childhood Education and/or Child Development
- 6 semester units in Administration (At least 3 semester units is required at hire and any additional units for a total of 6 units must be completed within 1 year of hire)
EXPERIENCE:
- Minimum of 1 year of experience working in child development, social work, parent involvement or health education in a Head Start or Early Head Start program
- Experience working with toddlers
KNOWLEDGE:
- Knowledge and experience of working with and using community resources
- Child Development principles and theories
TECHNOLOGY SKILLS:
- Excellent computer skills including strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel
SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with family, staff and community members.
- Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, including meeting qualitative and quantitative productivity standards.
- Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards
INTERPERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:
- Prompt, collaborative/team player, adaptable, communicator, organized, consistent, and compassionate
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- 2 semester units in Adult Supervision
- Child Development Teacher Permit
- 2 years of experience working in child development, social work, parent involvement or health education in a Head Start or Early Head Start program.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish (written and oral)
- Knowledge of Head Start performance standards
Volunteers of America is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law
This employer participates in E-Verify as required by the federal government and will provide the federal government with your Form 1-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (OHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment.