Job Description

Location: Kansas City, Kansas
Organization: Futures First
Job Type: Full-time, Non-Exempt
Department: Head Start
Reports To: Head Start Director

Connect Families to Opportunity and Help Strengthen Our Community

Are you passionate about connecting children and families with resources that help them thrive? Futures First is seeking a Head Start Eligibility/Recruitment/Selection/Enrollment/Attendance (ERSEA)/Family/Community Engagement (FCE) Coordinator to join our Head Start team.

This position plays an important role in connecting families with Head Start services while supporting successful enrollment, attendance, family engagement, and program compliance. The Coordinator facilitates the Head Start intake system by engaging with the community, following up with interested families, assisting with application completion, monitoring enrollment funding, and coordinating recruitment efforts across the Head Start program.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference by helping eligible children and families access and remain engaged in high-quality Head Start services.

Futures First Theory of Change

At Futures First, we believe that every child deserves a strong foundation for success. Our Theory of Change focuses on addressing early childhood education, economic stability, and family well-being to create lasting community impact. We invest in evidence-based programs, advocacy, and partnerships to ensure children and families receive the support they need to thrive.

As the ERSEA/FCE Coordinator, you will play an important role in advancing this vision by helping ensure eligible children and families have meaningful access to Head Start services. Through effective recruitment, enrollment, family engagement, attendance support, and community partnerships, you will help remove barriers and strengthen connections between families and the resources they need to succeed.

The Opportunity

Futures First is seeking a Head Start ERSEA/FCE Coordinator to support the successful recruitment, eligibility, selection, enrollment, and attendance of children and families participating in the Head Start program.

This position serves as an important connection between Futures First, families, community partners, and Head Start staff. The Coordinator will lead and monitor recruitment activities, support families throughout the application and intake process, monitor enrollment and attendance data, provide technical assistance to family service staff, and help ensure program activities align with Head Start requirements and established policies and procedures.

The ideal candidate will bring strong organizational, communication, relationship-building, analytical, and problem-solving skills, along with a commitment to serving children and families and supporting equitable access to early childhood services.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

• Community Engagement & Recruitment: Build relationships with community agencies and partners, participate in outreach events, share Head Start information, and identify resources that support families and program needs. Lead and monitor recruitment efforts to maintain funded enrollment.
• Enrollment & Eligibility: Support families throughout the Head Start application and intake process, including scheduling, documentation, eligibility assessments, data entry, and timely responses to inquiries. Ensure applications are complete and submitted for review within established timelines and promptly resolve identified issues.
• Attendance & Family Services Support: Monitor attendance trends and provide technical assistance and training to family service staff to support the program's 85% attendance expectation.
• Data & Compliance: Monitor Head Start data systems and records to ensure accuracy and compliance with program policies and procedures, the Head Start Act, and Head Start Program Performance Standards.
• Family Transitions: Support family-centered transitions into, within, and out of the Head Start program.
• Training & Technical Assistance: Develop and deliver training, coaching, and technical assistance for family service staff, partners, and other stakeholders regarding family engagement, parent-training requirements, compliance, and effective father/male engagement strategies.

Education and Experience

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a human services field such as Early Childhood Education, Family Services, or Social Work preferred
• Prior knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards, program philosophy, and mission preferred
• Prior experience with compliance monitoring, database management, and/or case management
• Experience working with children, families, community organizations, or human services programs is preferred.
• Bilingual fluency in written and oral English/Spanish or English/Somali preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace, including Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Gmail; internet functions; and database systems. ChildPlus experience preferred.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, decision-making, analytical, and time-management skills, with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, provide and receive feedback, and maintain a flexible, positive, and professional approach.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to develop rapport with staff, child care providers, children, families, and community partners.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse staff, families, agencies, and community partners.
• Ability to interpret data, perform basic statistical calculations, prepare accurate reports, and draw appropriate conclusions from information.
• Ability to provide proactive, positive compliance monitoring and support across multiple programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with families from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and linguistic backgrounds.
• Ability to travel throughout the service area, including Head Start centers and occasional overnight travel.

Compensation

The base salary for this position is up to $27 per hour The final offer will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, alignment with the requirements of the position, and internal equity.

In addition to the stated salary, Futures First offers a comprehensive Total Rewards package that includes benefits designed to support the health, well-being, and financial security of our employees.

Benefits Offered

• Medical Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
• Vision & Dental Insurance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with matching up to 2%
• Yearly 5% employer retirement contribution
• Personal Time Off (PTO)
• Rolling Paid Holidays — instead of a fixed holiday schedule, employees may observe holidays that reflect their personal, cultural, or religious beliefs
• Flexible Work Schedules (Hybrid Model)

Why Join Futures First?

At Futures First, you will be part of an organization committed to strengthening children, families, and communities across the Kansas City metro area. In this role, you will have the opportunity to connect families with Head Start services, strengthen family and community engagement, support program quality and compliance, and help ensure eligible children and families successfully access and remain engaged in Head Start programming.

You will join a mission-driven team that values collaboration, equity, innovation, and meaningful community impact while providing opportunities to build relationships and make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work on-site at Futures First locations and Head Start centers, as well as in community-based settings.
• Ability to travel throughout the Head Start service area to attend community events, outreach activities, meetings, and visit Head Start centers.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to move throughout office, center, and community environments as needed to perform job responsibilities.
• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds at times.

Equal Employment Opportunity & Accommodations

Futures First is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or other protected status.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or hiring process, please contact Nicole Benoit at hrdept@futuresfirstkc.org to discuss your needs.

Apply today and join Futures First in helping children, families, and communities thrive.