Regional Family and Community Engagement Specialist Region ; Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Moultrie

Position: Regional Family and Community Engagement Specialist Region 11 (Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Moultrie,
INCCRRA (Illinois Network Child Care Resource and Referral Agency) is excited to be able to add to our team! Our vision is to provide quality care and education that creates a lifetime of equitable opportunities for all children. INCCRRA is excited to offer position as hybrid positions.

SUMMARYIllinois has a goal of becoming the best state in the nation for families raising young children. In December 2019, the Governor appointed and charged the Commission on Equitable Early Childhood Education and Care Funding with making recommendations for how to provide "equitable access to high-quality Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services for all children birth through age five". The recommendations prioritized the establishment of a statewide infrastructure (which has been named Birth to Five Illinois) comprised of Councils in each of the State's 39 Regions to address the currently existing inequities in our State's financing of ECEC services.  

The Regional Family & Community Engagement Specialist will play a vital role in establishing and nurturing the foundation of support for the Early Childhood Regional and Community System within their Region. Key to success is a candidate who brings experience working in the community as a conduit for family voice with a belief in the value of the collective impact model.

This position will support the Regional Council Manager by engaging parent/caregiver leadership, family decision-making, and the co-creation of solutions in the local ECEC landscape. Understanding the principles of collective impact, community-driven change; and community organizing are preferred. What's in it for you?

At INCCRRA we offer a teamwork environment with great benefits. Some of those great benefits include:

Competitive employee wages

Medical/Dental/Vision/Life/Disability/Competitive 403(b) + Match Paid time off summary:13 days of PTO & 12 sick days within first full year of employment.
40 hours of PLFA workers act time every calendar year in addition to your accrued time.
10 paid holidays off per year as well as employee birthday off.

Tuition Reimbursement up to $2,500 per fiscal year.

An additional $1,000 per fiscal year offered for employees wanting to learn a new language

Healthy work-life balance with flexible work hours.

Hybrid work environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Work in collaboration with the Regional Council Manager and the State Team to ensure family voice is at the center of all decisions.

Build and support critical connections to expand and align with other partners in the community that are supporting children and families.

Actively work with parent and community engagement efforts across institutions and sectors to drive alignment and improve coordination with Department activities and objectives. Facilitate consistent feedback mechanisms between parents, families, the community, and the entire Early Childhood Regional Community System network. Ensure all work is delivered on time, within scope, and within budget; provide regular reports on progress against goals and indicators.

Submit monthly reports on Family Council activities (i.e., challenges and deliverables) to the Central Office Family & Community Engagement Team.

Coordinate and facilitate focus groups, individual meetings, and large groups, as needed.

Implement creative thinking around ways to engage families. Support and participate in regional events throughout the community (may take place during evenings or weekends).Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Travel within the State as needed, up to 50%.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Bachelor's degree or beyond in Early Childhood Education, Child and Family Development, Social Work, or related discipline.

Must possess four-plus years direct experience working with children and families; specifically engaging family members in advisory committees or like activities is preferred.

Must know how to meet the needs of the diverse population of the State of Illinois, including those with disabilities and English Language Learners.

Must maintain knowledge of culturally and racially responsive practices. Must be able to build effective relationships with a range of diverse stakeholders.

Experience in community organizing and relationship building is preferred.

Must be able to simplify complex information and communicate it to a general audience. Must be willing to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends, as needed. Must live or have experience in the boundaries of the Region. Must hold a valid Illinois State Driver's License. Must meet minimum vehicle insurance from the Illinois State insurance requirement for personal vehicle;

$100,000 Bodily Injury per accident (single person) / $300,000 Bodily Injury per accident max (multiple persons) / $25,000 Property damage.  SUPERVISORY DUITESThis position has no supervisory duties. EQUIPMENT/SOFTWARE REQUIREDUse of computer, phone, printer and basic office equipment. Operating systems include/but not limited…