Family Engagement Specialists, Early Childhood Centers

CHS Hershey – Hershey, PA

Full-time

CHS Hershey will be CHS’s first Center and is expected to open in 2023. The two-story, 50,827-square-foot building, located at the southwest corner of Governor Road and Homestead Road, will include a Family Resource Center, an innovation lab and an experiential learning garden. The Center will accommodate 150 students from birth to age 5 and is expected to employ up to 80 employees and volunteers.

Role Description:

The CHS Hershey Center Family Engagement Specialists (Family Advocates) are passionate about nurturing, educating, and empowering children and families in social and financial need to lead fulfilling and productive lives. Individuals in the role of Family Engagement Specialist (Family Advocate) are expected to engage, equip, and empower families of children attending the CHS Hershey Center. This family liaison is responsible for supporting the implementation of family engagement policies, procedures and strategies, engaging students’ families, and assisting them in admissions activities by working as a case manager. The individual will work to incorporate family feedback to enhance the family engagement experience. The Family Engagement Specialist (Family Advocate) will act as a liaison between the CHS Hershey Center and families, reporting directly to the CHS Hershey Family Engagement Manager, and working closely with other Family Engagement Specialists, to ensure that family questions about the education, health, and safety of their children are answered.

Responsibilities include:

Collaborating with the CHS Central Office admission / family engagement team and implementing CHS family engagement policies, procedures, and strategies
Using a Student Information System to track family engagement objectives and milestones
Representing CHS to parent/sponsor groups and individuals away from the CHS campus
Assisting families in all aspects of the admissions process

Understanding family needs and helping families navigate the system of applying for services like transportation, food, clothing, etc.
Pointing families to community resources and family events at CHS
Leveraging impactful communication tools to deliver effective communications supporting healthy relations between parents, sponsors, and CHS
Conducting home visits and family meetings to identify issues
Researching initiatives to support sponsors and enable student success

Supporting student retention by developing successful relationships with families
Working beside a team of other Family Engagement Specialists/Family Advocate to collaborate and implement best practices
Remaining updated of developments in the fields of family studies and child development
Developing individualized plans for each family in need, understanding how different experiences (culture, traumas, etc.) should impact the treatment approach
Aiding the Family Engagement Manager in training efforts between CHS and families

Planning family engagement events and activities such as and family-oriented initiatives
Implementing a system of feedback loops and gap resolution around family and community engagement
Reinforcing best practices in building strong relationships with families, students, and community partners
Assisting in the orientation and adjustment of newly enrolled students

Requirements include:

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Family Studies, Human Development, Counseling, Psychology, or a related field
Coursework in some of the following: child development, group counseling, educational counseling, resiliency training, case management, non-profit, behavioral management, crisis intervention, and family systems
3 years of previous experience in family and/or community engagement

Certification in counseling, education, or mental health (preferred)
Valid PA Driver’s License
Ability to work with a team as well as skills in mediation and negotiation
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities  
Responsible, enthusiastic, and cares about working for a mission-focused organization

Demonstrated understanding of and ability to effectively work with low-income families (preferred)
Ability to proactively identify problems and implement solutions
Willingness to be held accountable and receive feedback
Comfortability with technology including MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and/or willingness to learn
Commitment to the mission and values of CHS and MHS and demonstrated high degree of integrity as all MHS and CHS staff are considered to be role models for students

U.S. work authorization and successful completion of pre-employment background checks and clearances

Who We Are and What We’re Looking For

At CHS, we are leaders passionate about early childhood education and community betterment. Our work is driven by the desire to endow children with the resources for educational and physical well-being, while supporting and empowering their families. We listen to the needs of our diverse community and adapt to give everyone a voice. We hold each-other accountable for bringing our best and most authentic selves to school every day, creating an environment of mutual respect.

We strive to build a team of individuals that is passionate about our mission, brings in new creative ideas, and loves their work. If this sounds like you, we look forward to seeing your application.

Apply Now

Teacher and students looking at an abacus

About Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning

For more than 110 years, Milton Hershey School (MHS) has helped children realize their full potential by offering a top-notch private, cost-free education to students in pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade from income-eligible families. To expand and enhance the impact of Milton and Catherine Hershey’s vision, the Boards and management of Milton Hershey School and the Hershey Trust Company are launching the Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning (CHS), a cost-free, non-residential early childhood education program.

CHS plans to open six early childhood education Centers by 2027. The Centers are designed for children from birth to age 5 from economically disadvantaged and at-risk backgrounds with the goal of encouraging the development of a child’s educational, cognitive, social, emotional, and physical well-being. The CHS Initiative will provide a focus on core early learning programs through a rigorous and relevant curriculum that is aligned with a mission to nurture and educate enrolled children. Children also will receive supports such as nutritious meals and provisions of supplies, among other early learning enhancements. Finally, CHS will offer integrated support services for families of children enrolled in the Centers. CHS is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes diversity.

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Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning does not discriminate against applicants or employees, in hiring, promotion or any terms or conditions of employment, on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion or religious creed, veteran status, disability or use of a guide or support animal because of the blindness, deafness or physical handicap of the user or because the user is a handler or trainer of support or guide animals, or any other status protected under applicable federal or Pennsylvania law.