Job Description

Family Resource Navigator

JOB DEFINITION
The Early Learning Resource Center, Region 5, Family Resource Navigator will receive referrals from ELRC staff, speak with the referred family, asses their immediate and long-term needs, and then provide some quick education, coaching on how to access the network of services and supports available to them in Allegheny County. The Family Resource Navigator serves as an entry point into the human service system. They will work with any family with children, connecting them to things that help them wholistically overcome the challenges they are facing and meet their basic needs (i.e., housing, food, benefits enrollment, legal services) and the needs of their children (i.e., neighborhood family centers, home visiting programs, early intervention, child care and early learning programs). The Family Resource Navigator is responsible for not only connecting family to the things that they need but helping them address barriers to accessing those things (i.e., helping navigate benefits systems, housing applications, child care applications etc.). For families with babies, they will connect to the Hello Baby network of supports. They will also have a strong working knowledge of programs for school-aged children and teens. The Navigator will have a “whatever it takes,” creative attitude to helping families, a strong working knowledge of the myriad of supports in Allegheny County, a familiarity with the benefits system and a strengths-based, respectful approach to interacting with families.

Family Resource Navigators have the opportunity to make a big impact on our human service system. Routing hundreds of families to the right places each year and following up as needed to make sure families have a good experience and are connected. They will foster and maintain relationships with community-based service providers and other resources and advocate for clients with provider partners and stakeholders. They are also responsible for tracking and documenting client contacts and referrals for families served.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Interview families for the purpose of obtaining information to provide relevant resources.
• Collaborate with Family Specialists to complete searches for basic needs (i.e., housing, food, benefits enrollment, legal services).
• Respond to family or provider resource inquires by phone or email within 24-48 hours.
• Connect families with resources as well as help them address barriers to accessing those resources (i.e., helping navigate benefits systems, housing applications, etc.).
• Connect families with babies to the Hello Baby network of supports.
• Actively seek partnerships with community organizations to expand resources available to families.
• Serve as a COMPASS Community Partner point of contact for ELRC Region 5.
• Serve as the ELRC Region 5 Liaison for all Allegheny County DHS services and supports
• Collaborate with the ELRC Family Resource Coordinator.
• Utilizes web-based programs including Pelican, ClientPath, SharePoint, Synergy and Qualtrics to store, review, and update resource information.
• Record, analyze, and report data on resources and referrals provided monthly and annually.
• Completes all required training and participates in professional development opportunities.
• Adhere to Community & Family Advocates time and attendance policy.
• Performs other related work as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Strong ability to connect with higher need populations in a strength-based and affirming way.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish internal and external relationships and collaborate with other organizations and individuals.
• Consistently able to exercise sound judgment.
• Must demonstrate enthusiasm and flexibility.
• Demonstrate interest in public service.
• Must be self-directed and able to work both independently and as a team member.
• Ability to navigate systems and find solutions to problems.
• Must be detail oriented
• Strong computer literacy and demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 33)
• Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Records Check (Act 34)
• FBI Criminal Background Check (Act 73)
• Full time position requiring 37.50 hours per week in Wood Street office.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in a related field, plus 1 year of experience in customer-facing field.

-OR-

Any equivalent combination of education and experience which meets the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

This position will be formally employed by Community Family Advocates. In this capacity, the individual will report directly to the Early Learning Resource Center and will carry out day-to-day responsibilities under the direction, supervision, and operational guidelines of the Early Learning Resource Center. While Community Family Advocates will serve as the official employer for administrative and human resources purposes, the role will function as an integrated part of the Early Learning Resource Center’s team.