Family Engagement Specialist

If asked to describe the culture at Metropolitan Family Services, we could do that in one word. COMMUNITY Reflected in both our internal culture as well as through the services we provide, community is at the heart of all we do. 

Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Are you looking to have an impact on more than just a company's bottom line? Then we'd love to hear from you

We are currently looking to fill a Family Engagement Specialist-AOK role at our Southeast office in Chicago.

 SALARY:

• The average starting salary for this position will fall in the range of $47,000 and $52,000 annually. Where candidates fall in this range will be based on skill and experience level. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Assist the Network Coordinator in daily activities, planning and executing monthly network meetings and all special events and projects.
• Participate in community fairs, networking events to outreach for new network members from a variety of early childhood sectors in the community.
• Outreach activities, site visits to community organizations in the Southeast All Our Kids service area.
• Engage Parents/Caregivers as Network partners through participation in Network meetings, parent workgroups, community events, written surveys, parent cafes, and or public education campaigns to make the early childhood system work for them.
• Obtain family input to create the AOK Networks' initiative plan and support its implementation and lead efforts to connect families to services they need and want.
• Co-facilitation of Parent workgroups and parent cafés Coaches the Parent Ambassadors.
• Participate in all mandatory AOK Networks statewide meetings and trainings: Three, two-day meetings in central Illinois monthly teleconferences, webinars and AOK Network-sponsored regional trainings.
• Attend professional development opportunities recommended by Illinois Dept. of Human Services.
• Assist in the preparation of monthly Performance and semi-annual Periodic Performance Reports updating the Illinois Dept. of Human Services and Metropolitan Family Services on the Southeast All Our Kids Network.
• Co-Develop and update resource directories that inventory local early childhood services (and related services to families with children from birth to five); post directories on the Network's Local webpage at
• Participate in a statewide AOK Network effort to promote children's mental health public awareness by connecting with the National SAMHSA website for resources and conducting local events to address children's mental health issues and/or topics that are specific to the community.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:

• Experience with various sectors of the birth to five service community (i.e. maternal and child health, early intervention, early care and education, mental health, family supports and prevention services Strong group facilitation skills and experience.
• Ability to lead in a collaborative environment Experience working with low-income families.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Strong interpersonal, written, and communication skills.
• Strong management and organizational skills and the ability to set priorities, organize time efficiently and handle multiple demands.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team setting.
• Ability to work with diverse constituencies in a professional manner.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals and groups of diverse ethnic and socio- economic backgrounds.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including some evenings and/or weekends as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, Psychology, Early Childhood Development, Early Childhood Education, or Public Health Administration required.
•  Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Satisfactorily pass all relevant screenings and criminal background checks.

TRANSPORTATION/TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Driving for work required with a personally owned vehicle. Travel between sites required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle, and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch. The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, and viewing a computer terminal. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Metropolitan Family Services puts our people first with a top-of-the-line benefits package. Find out more by clicking here

Some highlights include:

• Medical Coverage, Dental Coverage, and Vision Coverage.
• Metropolitan Family Services contributions of $2,000 to individual, and $4,000 to family, HSA accounts, pro-rated to your benefits start date.
• FREE General Medicine and Behavioral Health Teladoc services provided to all team members.
• Ascensus 401K plan services with a 4% employer match, vested at 100% on day one of eligibility.

And so much more Make sure you click here to see the full suite of benefits offered

• Some of the above benefits are available for part-time and temporary workers, but not all. Be sure to inquire upon your hire as to which benefits apply to you.

MORE ABOUT US:

Metropolitan is Illinois' first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 122,970 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs, and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness, and empowerment.