Position Title: Family Outreach Worker

Employee Classification: Family Outreach Worker

College/Division: College of Hlth, Educ & Soc Trans

Department: 350450-DONA ANA HEADSTART PGM

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate:  15.45/hr

Appointment Full-time Equivalency:  1.0

Exempt or Non-Exempt:  Non-Exempt

Summary:  DACHS is looking for a Family Outreach Worker who is enthusiastic being with families and children.

Classification Summary:
To fulfill the objectives of Head Start Performance Standards and local program goals in Parent Involvement and Family Services.

Classification Standard Duties:
Ensure that parents know of current community resources and resources available in Head Start; refer parents to agencies for assistance and provide follow-up to assess effectiveness. Conduct home visits to enrolled families to maintain ongoing communication for family development. Will become familiar with all aspects of the Head Start program including Performance Standards, service area plans, and all program policies; must have an awareness of the philosophy and goals of the program in order to help parents become advocates for their children. Maintain year-round recruitment and enrollment activities toward the goal of full enrollment; complete and maintain documents for enrolling children. Maintain current and accurate records as required by the program and ensure their confidentiality. Maintain an ongoing awareness of component activities at the center (including parent activities, parent involvement, nutrition and health activities) in order to better assess the needs of the children and families to insure the most appropriate recommendations for follow-up. Coordinate with teacher for follow-up on children's attendance.

Required Education, Experience, Certification/License, Equivalency
Required Education:Associate's degree in a related field.; Required Experience:Three (3) years of experience related to the standard duties as outlined.; Equivalency:Any equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience as approved by Human Resource Services.; Required Certification/License:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
KNOWLEDGE:Knowledge and understanding of principles, procedures, regulations, and standards applicable to the job. Understanding of the University's mission, vision and goals.; SKILLS:Skilled in recognizing specific needs and problem areas of the families and modeling appropriate advocacy skills for parents in working with community agencies, professionals and schools.; ABILITIES:Develop and maintain effective working relationships; maintain accurate and orderly records; use independent judgment and initiative; organize and direct activities.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
Keep attendance records; Conduct Home visits; Assist teaching staff in classroom; Update community resource; Conduct mass recruitment door to door; Assist case management; File and maintain required documentation of all case load; Assist in interpretation and translation as needed; Conduct needs; assessment of all families; Assist in scoring and entering all applications; Assist in mentoring social work interns; Conduct in-depth enrollment interviews; Set up children' files; Train parents; Do family referrals and follow ups; Attend required meetings and trainings; Conduct height and weight on all H.S and E.H.S children; Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

Special Requirements of the Position

Department Contact:  Zaira Falliner, (575) 571-5198, zfalline@nmsu.edu

Contingent Upon Funding: Contingent upon external funding

Bargaining Unit Eligibility: This is a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: 

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: Moderate physical activity.

Lifting Requirements: Requires heavy physical work; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling required of objects up to 50 pounds.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.