Baby U Family Support Worker

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICE PROGRAMS:

The Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) creates and coordinates services that enhance the quality of life for Cambridge residents. Driven by the needs of residents, DHSP’s extensive services and programs touch almost every sector in the city: from newborns to older adults, from school-aged children to homeless families, from non-profit organizations to local employers.

ABOUT BABY UNIVERSITY:

Baby University (Baby U) is an intensive family support program under the Community Engagement and Family Support Division at the Department of Human Service Programs. It serves Cambridge families with at least one child under the age of 4, with priority given to families living in public or subsidized housing. Through a strengths-based, racial equity lens, Baby U supports families by developing relationships, providing evidence-based parent education, access to local resources and supports, and opportunities to develop community. Parents who complete the program are invited to join the Baby U Alumni Association. The Association offers workshops, discussion groups, family fun events, and one on one services that provide ongoing support and maintain connections between staff and families until their youngest child enrolled in the program successfully completes Kindergarten.

The Community Engagement & Family Support Division 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.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Recruitment

• With other staff, create, distribute recruitment and outreach material and recruit families to attend Core Program. Attend outreach events, including housing development door knocking. With other staff maintain up to date and accurate recruitment binder and assist with recruitment data entry.
• Schedule home visits with interested families to introduce them to the program and to formally sign-up for the program. Confirm enrollment with families.

Core and Alumni Program

• Provide input into the development of workshop and playgroup curriculum for the Core Program. Attend trainings to learn and prepare materials for each session.
• Facilitate, with other Baby U staff, 14 Saturday parent education workshops and playgroups during the Core Program. Co-plan and facilitate Graduation ceremony.
• Conduct home visits to Core Program and Alumni Association families. Complete and submit home visit notes weekly. Prepare family summary report for each Core Program family and present at team meeting. Participate in weekly team and consultation meetings and provide ongoing regular updates to the Baby U Family Services Coordinator on all families experiencing crisis.
• In collaboration with other Baby U staff, plan and facilitate Baby U Alumni Association events.
• Become familiar with available community resources and act as a liaison for children and families.
• Utilize social media to support Baby U recruitment and outreach for Alumni Programing.
• Assist with upkeep and maintenance of Baby U shared drive.
• Actively participate in the Department of Human Service Program’s Race and Equity Initiative.
• Complete administrative duties as necessary.
• Complete any and all other duties that may be necessary.

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

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Experience and Education

• Minimum of three years’ experience working with diverse populations of young children and families required
• Strong experience with group facilitation

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent organizational skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong technology skills including Zoom, Microsoft 365, PowerPoint and Excel
• 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.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in child development or related field.
• Experience with family support, parent education, early childhood education and community outreach

CORI REQUIREMENTS:

This position is subject to Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) checks.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, WORKING CONDITIONS, WORK FLEXIBILITY AND ACCOMODATIONS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, walk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to run, during play or responding to an emergency. Employees are frequently required to engage with children on the floor and at their eye level. Employees are frequently required to use their hands and arms to handle and manipulate objects as well as reach. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move a child. Vision abilities are required for supervision of children.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential function of this job. The noise level is moderately to very loud. It includes classroom, outdoor playgrounds, and occasional field trips. This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City’s Telework Policy depending on operational needs.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:

• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Vacation and Sick leave eligible
• Paid parental leave
• Sick Incentive Pay Eligible
• 3 Personal days
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Management Allowance, $2,700/year
• City employee commuter benefits (T-Pass reimbursement Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle membership)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the following documents to complete your application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:

• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Vacation and Sick leave eligible
• Paid parental leave
• Sick Incentive Pay Eligible
• 3 Personal days
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Management Allowance, $2,700/year
• City employee commuter benefits (T-Pass reimbursement Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle membership)