Early Childhood Community Facilitator - Grant Funded Position - Spring Lake Elementary (Bilingual Preferred)

Location: As assigned by an OPS Administrator 

Reports To: Building Principal, Early Childhood Coordinator

Work Schedule/FLSA Status: Full-time, 12 month / Non- Exempt, 40 hours per week, 261 days per year

Salary Schedule: This is a non-negotiated position.  Wages are administrated consistent with board policy.

Position Purpose: 

Omaha Public Schools in partnership with Buffet Early Childhood Institute is searching for an Early Childhood Community Facilitator to join our growing team! The purpose of this position is to strengthen access and quality related to early care and education by coordinating local birth through five (B-5) community-based efforts. The ECCF is instrumental in developing the infrastructure necessary to promote collaboration and effective service delivery for the families in the Spring Lake neighborhood. 

Essential Performance Responsibilities

• Ability to work a flexible schedule to meet community needs
• Assists families and community childcare providers to address barriers that keep them from engaging in the educational process for their children
• Collaborates and works with community childcare providers to provide support, professional development and learning, and partner in providing high quality childcare services
• Collect data, compile reports and for community and district reports
• Coordinates student and family recruitment and outreach to community childcare providers
• Coordinate and plan opportunities for parent involvement in family activities/engagement
• Coordinate and collaborate with all service areas, including district stakeholders
• Coordinate and facilitate community meetings and engagement activities
• Creates a safe and trusting relationship with community partners and families
• Works with families to assist parents/guardians to access early childhood programming in the Omaha area
• Develops and implements information to be distributed to families
• Develops a referral network of local community resources, and ensures families are aware of the resources
• Engage in team meetings to gain and share insights and knowledge of Early Childhood Programs
• Establish relationships with community service providers to coordinate meeting the needs of parents and their children
• Prepares and submits reports of home visits, childcare center visits and parent/guardian contacts
• Follows oral and written directions accurately.
• To bring together community service providers, including childcare providers and parents to identify possible solutions to gaps in services needed as well as explore ways of expanding programs that have demonstrated success.
• Works with families to assist parents/guardians to access early childhood programming in the Omaha area

Additional Duties
Performs other related tasks as assigned by the principal or other administrative staff as designated by the Superintendent.

Equipment:  This position requires the ability to use basic office equipment such as computers, copiers, scanners, and fax machine.  Must always comply with OPS’s guidelines for equipment use.

Travel:  Local travel required.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards:

• Works in standard office and school building environments
• Visits family homes and agency locations
• Must have organization, time management, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to read and use information from written materials and visual displays.
• Ability to work in standing/walking positions on a frequent basis throughout the work shift.
• Ability to bend, kneel, stoop and maintain balance while performing job related tasks.
• Ability to work outdoors during outdoor student activities
• Additional demands may be required upon request from the Supervisor

Interrelations:

• Contact with personnel within the district and with students, parents, and the community.
• Will be working with a diverse population requiring the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Expected to interact with all internal and external customers in a friendly and professional manner.

Employee Punctuality and Appearance

• In order for schools to operate effectively, employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated workday, unless the employee has received approved leave.
• Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employee’s supervisor or building administrator.
• All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of Omaha Public Schools and is appropriate for their position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Psychology, Early Childhood Development, or related field that includes coursework in the principles of social work, child development, counseling and/or psychology
• Bilingual language skills in English and Spanish preferred.
• Minimum of three years’ experience in a school setting preferred in EC field, families, or childcare
• Experience meeting the unique needs of early childhood and community providers
• Knowledge and experience coordinating community resources for families in need of services
• The skill and willingness to work with sensitive family situations in a non-threatening and professional manner
• Experience and ability to work in culturally diverse community
• Exemplary organizational skills 
• Experience with program development and management
• Proficient in oral and written communication skills
• The skills pertinent to building positive relationships with children and families, and the ability to work effectively with instructional staff, students, parents, administrators, and the community childcare providers
• Demonstrate proficiency of the English language to read and communicate with others
• Demonstrate proficiency of the Spanish language to read and communicate with others is preferred
• Knowledge of District computer software preferred
• Ability and patience to work with students and parents
• Demonstrate proficiency in the ability to take initiative and work independently
• Demonstrate a positive attendance record and prior work history
• Displays a significant degree of professionalism and confidentiality
• Knowledge of OPS’s mission, purpose, goals, and the role of every employee in achieving each of them

Terms of Employment

This position is treated as a full-time non-exempt classified position. The terms of your employment will be governed by applicable state laws regulating employment in a Nebraska public school and Board of Education policies, as those laws and policies may change from time to time. If your position is represented by a collective bargaining representative, then your employment will also be governed by a negotiated agreement between OPS and that collective bargaining representative.

The offer of employment is contingent upon:

• Obtaining and providing verification of all licenses, certificates, and other requirements for the position (e.g., Paraprofessionals obtaining “Highly Qualified status,” etc.), as identified and maintaining all licenses, certificates, and requirements for your position throughout employment.
• A background check which demonstrates to OPS that background is acceptable for the position.
• Verification of U.S. citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test (if required for position offered).
• Successful completion of a tuberculosis skin test (if required for position offered).
• Successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination to determine ability to safely and effectively perform the essential functions of the position.

Omaha Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or economic status in its programs, activities, employment, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director for the Office of Equity and Diversity, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131. (531-299-0307)   

The Omaha Public School District is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process please contact the human resources department at 531-299-0240.