Associate Director, Family Services at Union Settlement

Union Settlement is an East Harlem based nonprofit organization founded in 1895. For 128 years, Union Settlement has provided critical and innovative programming to children, youth, families, and older adults. As a pioneer of the settlement house movement, Union Settlement continues to meet the needs of the ever-changing East Harlem community through its core programs. Through these programs, New Yorkers gain opportunities, develop skills, and become empowered to pursue and achieve their dreams.

Today, Union Settlement provides services through 33 program sites in approximately 28 locations. Union Settlement’s current programmatic portfolio includes 8 core program areas: Early Childhood Education, Youth Services (including after school programs), Family Services (including the Family Enrichment Center and the Family Childcare Network), the East Harlem Community Partnership, Adult Education, Mental Health Services, Older Adult Centers, and Economic Development.  Union Settlement serves more than 10,000 individuals and nearly 1,000 businesses every year.

Strengthened by a dynamic, diverse, and collaborative workforce of more than 350 employees, Union Settlement also serves as a connector, convener, and advocate for East Harlem and its partners. To learn more about Union Settlement, visit www.unionsettlement.org

Position: Associate Director, Family Services                                       

Department: Early Childhood Education

Reports to: Executive Director, Early Childhood Education         

Hours: Full-time (35 hours weekly)

Salary: $70,000 - $85,000                                                                      

FLSA: Exempt

Location: On-site

Position Summary:

The Associate Director, Family Services is responsible for supervising our Family Service staff in the provision of family support and engagement services. This position is critical in the implementation of the program’s Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA) policies and procedures in accordance with Head Start Program Performance Standards and all daycare regulations. Under the supervision of the Executive Director, Early Childhood Education and working collaboratively with the Leadership members this position leads the program’s family engagement strategy and ensures planning, execution, and compliance with goals.

This position oversees the Family Assistants across 5-7 sites who are responsible for community outreach to families in need of childcare, interviewing applicants for day care services to determine eligibility, maintaining necessary records, and generally working with families in a supportive fashion. They serve as a liaison between the center and the parents and community which it serves including facilitating referrals and advocating with outside agencies and other supports, as needed.

Responsibilities:

• Design, implement, and supervise the provision of family engagement services to engage families in their children’s learning and development and support parent-child relationships, including specific strategies for further engagement.
• Develop, maintain, and execute a robust enrollment plan for parents and participants in collaboration with Executive Director, Early Childhood Education.
• Ensure ongoing two-way communication between staff and families to create welcoming program environments that incorporate the unique cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds of families in the program and community.
• Support, coach, and supervise family service staff in the development of collaborative relationships with families through a family partnership process that identifies needs, interests, strengths, goals, and services and resources that support family well-being, including family safety, health, and economic stability.
• Collaborate with other senior staff in offering opportunities for parents and family members to be involved in the program’s education services.
• Develop, maintain, track, and report key performance indicators and data to ensure compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards.
• Ensure that family service staff maintains consistent and updated information in the database system and provides regular reports and updates.
• Ensure establishment of procedures and protocols for establishes eligibility of the family for the service in accordance with mandated priorities and requirements of city, state and federal law and guidelines; makes referrals for service in conjunction with Leadership members.
• Conduct assessments from information from Family Services staff and parent engagement to determine if conditions preventing child from participation exist.
• Oversee required reports to document compliance with State and City guidelines on intake, eligibility, priorities, etc. and provide comprehensive status updates.
• Provide guidance on contact for the family to receive information, referral and other services as needed (legal or medical services, public assistance, housing, training or employment, mental health, counseling, etc.).
• Obtain thorough knowledge of the services available in the community in order to establish and maintain relationships with agency staff providing these services.
• Serve as an advocate for the family to obtain such services with Director of Supportive Services; support emergency circumstances.
• Collaborate with other senior staff in offering opportunities for parents and family members to be involved in the program’s education services.
• Participate in regularly scheduled conference sessions with the Executive Director, Early Childhood Education, Director ECE, and Director of Supportive Services planning for the special needs of children and families.
• Provide coverage for Family Assistant shortage or leave as needed and/or additional support during periods of high volume.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Psychology, Public Administration, Social Work, Management, Hospitality, or related field preferred; Master’s ideal.
• Three to five years of experience in an educational, clinical, or community setting serving families with young children.
• At least three years of experience supervising, coaching, or mentoring staff, graduate or undergraduate students, or volunteers.
• Must meet the requirements set forth by the Agency for Child Development and the sponsoring Board of the day care center.
• Experience working with children and families in a similar capacity.
• Must have excellent computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft Excel, access, and Word.
• Multilingual preferred but not required.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Knowledge and experience of principles of family support and case management.
• Knowledge of East Harlem community strongly preferred.

CO R E CO M P E T E N C IE S

• Leading Others: Creates a sense of urgency throughout the organization on the importance of achieving Inspires, influences, and enables team members to reach their goals
• Facilitating Change: Approaches challenges with creativity and Demonstrates analytical thinking. Guides change to meet Union Settlement’s goals.
• Managing Performance: Evaluates and revises goals semi-annually with the team. Provides consistent supervision and documents performance highlights and concerns
• Applying and Developing Expertise: Embraces and leads the team to achieve milestones. Seeks and supports professional development opportunities for team Manages finances and budgets effectively
• Communicating and Collaborating: Listens well and actively engages with others with honesty and integrity and holds team accountable to the same standard

Union Settlement’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commitment

Union Settlement is an equal opportunity employer. They do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.