Job Description

Early Outreach and Family Engagement Specialist

Part-Time, Anticipated Opening�Pending Grant Approval

This is an anticipated opening contingent upon grant approval and the availability of grant funds.

The Early Outreach and Family Engagement Specialist connects expectant parents, new parents, and families with young children to education, resources, and community-based supports. The specialist conducts outreach where families naturally gather or receive services and coordinates parent-child interaction events and family engagement activities throughout the region. The position may also include NEST outreach and programming for expectant and postpartum mothers.

Essential Responsibilities

• Provide family education and engagement opportunities for expectant parents, postpartum mothers, caregivers, and families with young children.
• Plan and facilitate parent-child interaction activities that promote healthy development, early learning, positive relationships, and family well-being.
• Coordinate and participate in family nights and engagement events within local school districts.
• Conduct outreach at local health departments, hospitals, medical centers, clinics, libraries, schools, community events, and other community-based locations.
• Build trusting relationships with families and help them identify available resources and supports.
• Share family-friendly information related to pregnancy, postpartum well-being, child development, early learning, parenting, family wellness, and school readiness.
• Connect families to early childhood, healthcare, mental health, parenting, and social-service resources through referrals and warm handoffs.
• Support NEST outreach, family engagement, group activities, and services for expectant and postpartum mothers, as assigned.
• Participate in community events, resource fairs, educational workshops, and outreach campaigns.
• Develop and distribute family education and outreach materials.
• Build collaborative relationships with school districts, healthcare providers, public health departments, early childhood programs, and community organizations.
• Maintain accurate records of outreach contacts, event participation, referrals, follow-up activities, and program outcomes.
• Follow confidentiality, mandated-reporting, and organizational requirements.
• Participate in staff meetings, professional learning, and community partner meetings.
• Perform other related duties that support early outreach and family engagement.

Required Qualifications

• Associate degree in early childhood education, family studies, social work, public health, human services, education, or another related human services field required; bachelor's degree preferred.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, organizational, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to engage families respectfully across diverse backgrounds and circumstances.
• Ability to plan and facilitate welcoming, developmentally appropriate family activities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with school and community partners.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries.
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel throughout the service area.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with expectant parents, postpartum mothers, families with young children, schools, or community-based programs.
• Knowledge of child development, family engagement, maternal wellness, early childhood systems, and community resources.
• Experience facilitating parent education, parent-child activities, family nights, community outreach, or group programming.
• Experience connecting families with services through referrals and follow-up.

Schedule, Compensation, and Employment Conditions

• Part-time position with flexible hours based on program, family, and community needs.
• This position is currently structured as a nine-month, 130-day contract.
• Compensation range is $25,000 - $29,000 for the 130-day contract.
• The ROE 47 Sterling office is the employee's primary work location.
• The scope of work includes communities throughout Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside counties.
• Regional travel to schools, healthcare facilities, and community locations is required and reimbursed in accordance with organizational policy.
• The schedule may include occasional evening and Saturday events; these hours will not be regularly required.
• Employment is contingent upon grant approval, the availability of grant funds, completion of required background checks, and compliance with organizational policies.
• The position may be renewed in FY28 based on the availability of grant funds.
• This is an IMRF position.

Physical Requirements

The employee must be able to travel to community locations, participate in family and outreach events, transport educational materials, and occasionally lift or carry supplies weighing up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be provided.

For questions related to this opening, please contact:

Dr. Anji Garza

Director of Professional Learning & Educational Services

agarza@roe47.org

ROE 47 is an equal opportunity employer.