ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The Center for Families is a city-wide family support program serving families with children from prenatal to eight years. The Center provides parenting workshops, support groups, playgroups, home visits, information and referral services, community building events, parent-child activities, one-on-one supports, and as well as concrete support in times of need.  All Center activities and services are not only welcoming but are also respectful of participants' cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. The Center for Families values diverse, flexible, creative teamwork-oriented staff members who are committed to serving all families, especially those traditionally under-served. The Department of Human Service Programs is committed to the elimination of racism within our department.

The Center for Families operates within the larger Department of Human Services (DHSP) Division for Child Care and Family Support, and also within the context of the Office of Early Childhood which is supported by DHSP and the Cambridge Public Schools. Office of Early Childhood vision is an easily accessed and aligned and coherent system of affordable high-quality education and care the begins with prenatal care and extends through 3rd grade. 

ABOUT THE ROLE

Family Support Outreach Workers work with Center for Families staff to develop and implement parent/child playgroup programming. Playgroups meet in approved locations (inside and outside locations) that may or may not be set up as classrooms. Playgroups include a variety of developmentally appropriate activities for different age young children and help parents and caregivers learn about how to effectively support children's growth and learning. Part time staff work with full time staff to prepare for parent education programming, support programming and community events in order to connect with families. Family Support Outreach Workers also work to outreach to and engage with families and connect them to programming and resources in the community. Part-time Family Support Outreach Workers report to a designated full-time staff member.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Full participation in the Department of Human Service Programs' mission to eliminate racism within our department.
• Outreach to all Cambridge families with young children with a specific focus on those that are harder to reach.
• Facilitating weekly playgroups (gross motor, sensory, literacy, art, and music activities; circle time, and snack) for parents/caregivers with children 15 months-4 years old.
• Work collaboratively with staff from other agencies that are serving families with young children.
• Prepare and facilitate community events with full time staff.
• Provide opportunities for parents to build social connections and create community.
• Become familiar with available community resources.
• Provide information and direct support to families.
• Refer families to early learning services and events that benefit the literacy development of their children.
• Complete all required paperwork.
• Attend monthly staff meetings.
• Attend staff trainings as required.
• Attend monthly supervision meetings.
• Call families when needed to ensure continued success of programming.
• Communicate with team if you feel a family may be in need of additional support or services.
• Complete attendance data reports and other evaluation tools as required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Experience

• Some experience in early childhood.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Good communication skills.
• Understanding on how culture influences parenting.
• Comfortable speaking and interacting with families both individually and in groups.
• Energetic, friendly, outgoing personality.
• Ability to relate well with diverse groups and individuals.
• Some mornings are required. Other times are flexible, which could include some evenings and weekend hours. Must be available at least 2-3 mornings per week, September-June. Must have the ability to attend monthly staff meetings on Friday mornings (September-June). Summer schedule is flexible, and can include mornings, evenings, and weekends as available.
• The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The employee is frequently required to sit, talk, walk, stand, see and hear.  The employee is occasionally required to run, during play or responding to an emergency. Employees are frequently required to use their hands and arms to handle and manipulate objects as well as reach. Employees must occasionally lift and/or move a child. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to be agile in their movements; moving quickly from sitting on the floor to standing, to kneeling so as to be able to interact with parents and children and be able to lift and move supplies as needed, up to 30 pounds.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:           

The noise level in work environment is moderately to very loud.  The work environment includes offices, classrooms, youth centers, housing development community rooms, neighborhood houses activity rooms, outdoor playgrounds, parks, families' homes, and occasional field trips.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS: Sick leave eligible. Otherwise, this is not a benefited position.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the following documents to complete your application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter