JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION: Family Resource Center Specialist

Hiring Salary Range: $52,168.46-$60,011.09

Extended Salary Range: $52,168.46- $69,013.09

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

REPORTS TO: Family Resource Center Lead

 

AGENCY SUMMARY:

BrightSpark Early Learning Services has been at the forefront of the early learning landscape for over 30 years, ensuring that all children have equitable access to safe, engaging, and positive early learning experiences that promote school readiness and lifetime success. With a staff of over 140 and a budget of $30 million (99% publicly funded), BrightSpark Early Learning Services provides a broad array of services for families and childcare providers so that they can support the development and well-being of our children.

OPPORTUNITY:

The Childcare Aware of Washington Family Center is a call center operated by BrightSpark Early Learning Services that connects caregivers (parents, guardians, case managers) from across the state with high-quality early learning opportunities for the children in their care. Each week, as part of the call center team, the Family Resource Center Specialist helps dozens of families find the right early learning setting for their children.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide culturally relevant, inclusive services over the phone and by email to families, caregivers, service providers, and other community members.
• Actively engage with the team to meet the needs of families and children, community partners, and stakeholders and meet the deliverables of program contracts and funders.
• Provide caregiver education (regional and statewide information), including elements of quality childcare and how to identify and choose quality childcare.
• Complete program intakes and perform childcare radius searches for caregivers, providing additional information and referrals as necessary.
• Use intake tools, scripts, and regional resources to assess family needs for childcare.
• Provide lists of referrals to childcare providers in the community using the program Salesforce database.
• Assist families in accessing Working Connections Childcare subsidies (WA state) and other public benefits when eligible.
• Prepare and send information to caregivers (ex., parent packets, requested materials, and referral lists) via email, mail, or fax.
• Work with interpreter services and provide services to walk-in families as needed.
• Assist with maintaining client and provider data integrity by reviewing and cleaning up client files, contacting childcare providers to obtain updated information, and performing daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly tasks as determined by contracts, DEL, community initiatives, or industry best practices.
• Opportunities to work on other special projects, such as community outreach, child care provider updates, legislative advocacy, racial equity caucusing, hosting extended learning opportunities, etc.

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

 

Minimum Qualifications:

At least 3 years of relevant experience or an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education

Additional requirements include:

• Ability to work in a team environment, communicate, and actively participate in BrightSpark team meetings, committees, and community groups.
• Ability to remain focused on client calls while working in an open office environment.
• Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and demonstrating a commitment to diversity, cultural relevancy, and inclusion.
• Desire to support children and families.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Effective interpersonal skills include an ability to quickly establish a warm phone connection and constructively manage conflict.
• Excellent listening skills with the ability to give and receive feedback.
• Approach work with a sense of possibility, see challenges as opportunities for creative problem-solving, and work to find innovative solutions.
• Attention to detail and ability to multi-task.
• Experience in/understanding of “quality customer service.”
• Knowledge of or comfort in learning basic database systems.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Flexibility to attend occasional community events, providing outreach to parents and community partners.

Desired Qualifications

• Native language speaking abilities in Spanish or Somali.
• Experience with Salesforce; and/or
• Knowledge of child development & childcare and local and statewide family resources.

 

COMPETENCIES:

• Core Competencies -
  • Mission-driven: Demonstrates commitment to the mission and values of the mission.
  • Equity mindset: Demonstrates anti-racist values; fosters an inclusive environment that facilitates diversity.
  • Communication: Uses skillful written and oral communication with internal staff, teams, and community served; demonstrates empathy and listening.
  • Adaptability: Adapts and responds to change; proactively seeks opportunities to be supportive of change that serves our mission
  • Ownership and quality of work: Manages own work and work of teams when relevant, ensuring successful outcomes.

COMPENSATION:

• Hiring Salary Range: $52,168.46-$60,011.09
• Extended Salary Range: $52,168.46- $69,013.09
• FLSA Status: Non-exempt
• This is a full-time salaried position requiring work during BrightSpark Early Learning Services Business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am-5 pm, and requires a willingness to work some evenings and weekends.

The salary range indicated in this posting represents the minimum and maximum salary range for this position. Hiring salary will be used when considering compensation for a new employee.

Actual salary will vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, budget available, prior experience, knowledge, skill, and education as they relate to the position’s qualifications, in addition to internal racial equity. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total compensation package.

Other components of the total compensation package may include participation in group life, health and dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program(s), paid time off, and paid holidays.

HOW TO APPLY:

 

BENEFITS:

BrightSpark Early Learning Services’ benefits package includes employer-paid top-tier medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for employees, 21 days of PTO per year in addition to 11 paid holidays, 3 paid floating holidays, birthday holiday, and one week-long office closure at year-end, Refresh Fridays in July (BrightSpark Early Learning Services Closure Days), flexible work environment, employer-paid life insurance, short-term disability/illness leave accrual, and 401k with 3% employer match.

 

WORK LOCATION:

• This position is a Hybrid
• Hybrid positions at BrightSpark require at least two days in the office per week. These days may change based on individual position and department needs.
• BrightSpark Early Learning Services employees in all types of work positions (hybrid, community, etc.) must attend training, meetings, events, or other work commitments at various BrightSpark Early Learning Services office locations or off-site locations in Washington State, including the New Employee Orientation in Kent, Washington.
• Employees BrightSpark Early Learning Services employees in all types of work positions (hybrid, field, etc.) must attend training, meetings, events, or other work commitments at various BrightSpark Early Learning Services office locations or off-site locations in Washington State, including New Employee Orientation in Kent, Washington.

 

EQUAL EQUITY EMPLOYER:

BrightSpark Early Learning Services is an equal-opportunity employer, and we value diversity among our staff. We strongly encourage people of color, immigrants and refugees, people from the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, and people from other historically marginalized groups to apply.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & QUESTIONS

• To learn more about BrightSpark Early Learning Services, please visit BrightSpark.org
• BrightSpark Early Learning Services is a grant-funded nonprofit organization. This and all positions are contingent on grant funding being in place and can end based on the expiration of funding.

 

Experience

Preferred

• 5 year(s): At least 5 years of relevant experience

Education

Required

• Associates or better in Early Childhood Education or related field

Preferred

• Bachelors or better in Early Childhood Education or related field

Licenses & Certifications

Required

• Valid WA Drivers License
• Valid Car Insurance

Skills

Required

• Anti-racist

Preferred

• Zoom and/or Teams
• Microsoft Suite
• Database Management
• Child care Experience
• Critical Thinking Skills
• Adaptability
• Communication

Behaviors

Preferred

• Loyal: Shows firm and constant support to a cause
• Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
• Enthusiastic: Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest
• Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Motivations

Preferred

• Self-Starter: Inspired to perform without outside help
• Growth Opportunities: Inspired to perform well by the chance to take on more responsibility
• Flexibility: Inspired to perform well when granted the ability to set your own schedule and goals