Bilingual Doula - Start Early

Start Early (formerly known as the Ounce) is an energized, future-focused organization committed to providing quality early learning and care across the country.

Our desire to close the opportunity gap and build more equitable early learning experiences for our youngest learners guides everything we do. As a leader in early learning and care, we scale our deep expertise across program, policy and research through partnerships across the country.

We are recruiting individuals who want to join us in this mission and share a commitment to our core values of appreciation & respect, empowerment, diversity, excellence, learning and communication. Become part of our rewarding, mission-driven culture. We want our employees to feel empowered, motivated, energized, and passionate about the work they do.

Working on the Early/Head Start Network team, you will provide support to community-based agencies in Lake County, particularly the Beech Park and Waukegan areas to enable them to implement high-quality, Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

Reporting to the Doula & Outreach Manager you will:

• Develop and maintain supportive strength based, culturally critical relationships with pre- and post-natal women and their families by providing education, physical and emotional support during all trimesters, labor and postpartum and by providing family support services to parents and children in the home visiting program.
• Maintain a caseload up to 15 pregnant women providing regular doula visits and 24/7 availability for attending births.
• Ensure the EHS Services for Pregnant Women standards along with appropriate Head Start Program Performance Standards are in compliance.
• Assist pregnant women in establishing goals and a birth plan for the Family Partnership Agreement and crafting a plan for the accomplishment of the goals.
• Aid in the preparation of the pregnant woman and her family for the labor and delivery utilizing appropriate doula techniques both during home visits and in group-based services.
• Performs other job-related duties as requested.

Qualifications:

• Must be willing to travel from the base location in Lake Country to Chicago agency centers or Start Early's downtown office for onboarding, training(s), conferences, workshops, or events throughout the Chicagoland area
• Associates, or bachelor’s in social work or Family Services, Human Services, Social Services (or related field with a level for Gateway Family Specialist Credential). DONA certification.
• Bilingual Spanish Required (Must be able to read, write, and speak Spanish proficiently)
• Minimum of one to three years of experience working in early childhood/family support or home visiting program.
• Ability to establish supportive relationships with children and families from a diverse group of backgrounds.
• Working knowledge of community resources, family welfare, and government assistance programs.
• Knowledge of community resources and capacity to develop community cooperation to ensure that families receive comprehensive services.
• Communicate effectively and function well with families, children, staff and various professional community groups.
• Ability to establish supportive relationships with children and families from a diverse group of backgrounds.
• Must have strong analytical, communication (written and verbal), interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Deep commitment to advancing diversity, racial equity, and incorporating them into interpersonal routines and practice.
• Efficiently establish and handle relationships with colleagues/clients and gain their trust and respect.
• Relief and experience in handling risk and uncertainty to move work forward.

Salary: We believe that all employees should be paid fairly and equitably. As of the time of this posting, the expected base annual salary range for this position is $52,000 - $55,000. The base annual salary will be based on a wide range of factors, including skills, qualifications, experience, as well as business needs and limitations.

Our generous benefits plan includes:

Comprehensive Health Plans, Dedication to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Holistic Wellness Program, Professional Development Program, 401k Contribution, Paid Volunteer Days, 6 months of paid parental leave, and much more.

Start Early is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to our core values by crafting an inclusive environment for all staff.