Bilingual Child Care Specialist

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
We are seeking a compassionate and resourceful Child Care Specialist I (CCS-I) to join our statewide Child Care Information Line (CCIL) team. In this role, you will be the primary point of contact for consumers seeking childcare services, providing personalized assistance to help them navigate the often complex and overwhelming process of finding the right care for their children. Beyond matching consumers with providers, you will also offer continuous support and guidance, helping consumers navigate financial assistance programs, and resolve any issues that may arise, such as complaints and/or expulsion/suspension prevention resources. This role is pivotal in ensuring that children receive safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate care while helping consumers feel confident and supported in their child care decisions. In addition to helping consumers find quality childcare options, a CCS-I assists early educators in navigating childcare systems and educating the community about the importance of and need for high-quality child care. The ideal candidate will be responsible for collecting and reporting data, providing child care education and information to consumers of child care and community members by fostering strong relationships, and promoting the program’s initiatives and services. This role
requires excellent communication skills, creativity, and a deep understanding of childcare and community characteristics.

SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Consumer Education and Engagement: Provide Consumers with thorough and unbiased information regarding the full range of available Child Care services, including faith-based and community-based providers. This information will encompass Child Care offered during non-traditional hours and emergency situations.
•  Assessment of Consumer Needs: Conduct thorough consultations with consumers to understand their childcare requirements, including schedules, budgeting, and specific childcare needs. 
• Assess the developmental needs of children to provide the appropriate childcare settings and/or provide resources to identify or screen for children with special health, medical, and/or physical needs.
• Child Care Options: Provide consumers with detailed information about the types of childcare available, including complaint and regulatory information, expulsion and suspension prevention policies, financial assistance resources, indicators of quality childcare, questions to ask, and tips for evaluating their options to make an informed decision.
• Coordination of Resources and Services: Assist Consumers in coordinating resources, services, and supports related to their childcare needs. This involves ensuring that Consumers have access to the necessary resources and assistance to effectively utilize childcare services and connecting them to available community resources and/or services.
• Child Care Provider Education and Support: Collaborate with the Arizona Department of Economic of Security (ADES) to facilitate access to training, education, resources, and support that enables Child Care Providers to deliver high-quality care and continuously improve their practices.
• Relationship Building: Developing and maintaining strong relationships with community partners, members, early educators, leaders, and other organizations to promote high-quality childcare awareness and understanding, including facilitating effective consumer education with a range of early care and education stakeholders across Arizona.
•  Support and Guidance: Offer ongoing support and guidance to consumers throughout the childcare selection process, assist in communication between old and new childcare providers to ensure a smooth transition, and follow up to assess consumers’ satisfaction with the services and address additional challenges, if necessary.
• Feedback and Continuous Quality Improvement: Utilize consumer evaluation and information systems for gathering feedback from consumers to inform program development and improvements, and evaluate performance and services offered on an individual and program basis.
• Data Collection: Ensure that all consumer data is collected, entered, and accurate in the Customer Relations Management (CRM) software, as well as a phone monitoring software program that documents and tracks all calls, referrals, and resources provided to consumers. In addition, maintain the accuracy of the information that is entered into the CCR&R Provide Database and displayed on the CCR&R website.
• Reporting: Track and report on Child Care Information Line activities, and outcomes, and provide feedback to the program.
• management and/or program funder as well as, generate data and reports for individual and program performance.
• Create, complete, present, and submit reports as assigned.
• Advocacy: Serve as a representative of the company and program at community events and meetings, advocating for the program’s services and the organization’s mission and values, as needed.
• Technology and Software: Utilize technology and program-specific software to collect consumer data, analyze and track performance, program activities, and operations, obtain professional development, and meet program requirements.
• Other duties as assigned: Complete other duties as assigned by the CCR&R Senior and/or Assistant Program Directors, Program Supervisors, Vice Presidents, and/or CEO/President.
  
  

REQUIREMENTS:
EDUCATION AND BACKGROUND:

• A minimum of a High School Diploma or GED is required. Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Development, Early.
• Childhood Education, Psychology, or a related field from an accredited institution, is strongly preferred.
• 2+ years of experience and training in high-quality customer service, call center, and case management/family support services, strongly preferred.
• Work or volunteer experience in childcare and/or early childhood education programs is strongly preferred.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish; oral, reading, and writing ability required.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Compassionate, patient, and empathic approach to working with families, childcare providers, and the community.
• Effective, strong active listening, public speaking, oral and written communication skills are required.
• Detail-oriented, highly organized, and excellent time management skills are required.
• Resourceful and proactive in finding and educating consumers on an array of community resources required.
• Excellent computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 programs such as SharePoint, Word, Excel, Outlook,
• PowerPoint, Publisher and internet browsers and web-based software, databases, and programs required.
• Provide a positive, relationship-based consumer education experience to all consumers.
• Knowledge of childcare state licensing and certification rules and regulatory information and systems.
• Knowledge of local and state community resources and social service programs throughout Arizona.
• Proficiency in using databases and technology for managing information and coordinating services, including data entry and creating reports preferred.
• Ability to multi-task of many different duties and tasks and work in a fast-paced environment.
• An ability to acknowledge, respect, and build upon the diversity of families with regard to such factors as race, ethnicity, family dynamics, gender, socioeconomic status, values, and traditions, as well as cultural diversity competence and linguistic sensitivity in each service delivery area and statewide
•  Location: must be able to provide direct service to the designated consumer base in Arizona.
• Maintain a functional and safe home working space with adequate internet connection for the job and adhere to C&FR’s remote and virtual meeting policies and procedures.
• Comply with all agency and program policies and procedures including confidentiality, employee conduct, computer usage and dress code.
• Meet program/department’s performance and productivity standards.
• Attend required agency and program/department meetings.
• Adhere to the schedule agreed upon with the supervisor.
• Follow and model C&FR’s core values.
• Participate in Performance Quality Improvement initiatives.
• Must be eligible and able to obtain an Arizona Level one fingerprint card and pass a criminal and child abuse background check.
• Must have a valid Arizona driver’s license, Arizona vehicle registration, and meet agency and Arizona liability insurance requirements and a clean Motor Vehicle Department Report.
• Consistent with CDC’s new streamlined guidance, the Safer Federal Workforce determined COVID-19 workplace safety protocols will not vary based on vaccination status or otherwise depend on vaccination information. Due to this determination, requiring, requesting, or collecting vaccination status information is suspended. For current status of the COVID-19 vaccine requirement and/or questions, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@cfraz.org.

ABILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Sitting or standing for extended periods of time daily; standing and walking short distances.
• Moderate twisting, bending, stooping, and lifting up to 40 pounds in the performance of assigned duties.
• Ability to use a variety of office equipment and machines as referenced.
• Normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination are required.
• Repeated hand-wrist movement is required.
• The Pay Rate for this position starts at $17.00-$19.00 per hour.

Disclaimer:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon drug tests and fingerprint clearance.
The nature of the position involves a fast-paced working environment with multitasking of many different duties and tasks. General daily priorities may change at a moment's notice and the position requires quick response time and flexibility.

About Child & Family Resources:

At Child & Family Resources, nothing is more important to us than healthy, happy children. We believe that educated parents and a wealth of resources are crucial to a child’s success, confidence, and development. Our team is committed to offering accessible programming that helps parents be the best they can be and allows children to thrive. We have offices in 13 locations throughout Arizona.When you work at Child & Family Resources, you’ll have an opportunity every day to improve the lives of those around you. The teams at our offices throughout Arizona are made up of diverse individuals that reflect their community and are dedicated to helping others. Whether you’re looking for part-time employment or a full-time position, find your home with us. You can make a difference

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