Abode Services values safety, wellness, and respect for each other and for those who we serve. Because of this commitment Abode Services is mandating that all employees be vaccinated effective September 30, 2021:.

Everyone deserves a home.
Abode Services’ mission is to end homelessness – doing whatever it takes to help those who need it most.

We are seeking Children’s Services Specialist: to coordinate a range of supportive, educational, and recreational activities for children to support and enhance their academic, social-emotional and developmental growth. Working in close partnership with the Services Team, the Children’s Services Specialist ensures that children at City Gardens have access to the resources (onsite and in the community) that they need to grow and thrive. Children served may include toddlers and/or preschool age children, elementary, middle and high school students. The position requires routine evening work and occasional weekends.

Monday-Friday and Tuesday-Saturday openings available.

Benefits and Perks: :

• $27.00-$29.00 per hour DOE :
• 100% paid health, vision, and dental options
• 19 PTO days & 12 Holidays per year
• Voluntary benefits: FSA, EAP, Commuter Checks, Life Insurance, Legal, and more
• 3% retirement match/contribution
• Professional Development Trainings and Opportunities, Leadership Academy Programs, and All Staff Events
• Dynamic, mission-driven culture and supportive leadership. We support you in supporting others

How You Make an Impact:

• Provide weekly children’s programing to City Gardens residents, including educational, recreational, and therapeutic activities.
• Collaborate closely with Service Coordinators and other program staff to develop individual service plans for each family and provide programmatic feedback.
• Develop weekly plans and implement age-appropriate curricula to nurture and stimulate all domains of children’s development.
• Plan and implement parent conferences to discuss children's developmental progress, needs, and interests.
• Ensure all children are enrolled in school, assisting, if necessary, with the process.
• Maintain accurate, complete client files, agency records and complete monthly reporting.
• Deliver culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, and appropriate services to a diverse participant population.
• Maintain up to date emergency forms, curriculum plans, individual child development profile and other records as needed.
• Complete reports of any symptoms of child abuse to supervisor and/or child abuse hotline and adhere to all mandatory reporting laws.
• Provide referrals for further assessment/treatment services for any developmental concerns, learning disabilities, behavior problems, signs of early mental health challenges, school readiness, exposure to domestic violence, or drug and alcohol issues in the family.
• Remain up to date on resources that would benefit the child and family and support with linking families to those resources.
• Provide parent advocacy and parent engagement within the public school system (enrollment, IEP, assessments, and other support).
• Administer developmental screenings (ASQ’s, ASQ-SE & EPDS) and review for accuracy and completeness.
• Facilitate and/or supervise parenting classes, child enrichment activities, and health education workshops.
• Perform other duties that are consistent with the position and in compliance with agency policies and procedures, as assigned by supervisor

• Bachelor’s degree preferred (Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Human Services or Early Childhood Education).
• Early Child Development knowledge and experience (preferred 6 units in ECE) or assistant teacher permit or higher.
• Lived experience as a parent who has experienced homelessness and/or poverty preferred.
• At least 2 years experience working with children and/or early childhood.
• Strong assessment and engagement skills with children and families
• Ability to maintain accurate and confidential client/service information and prepare internal and external reports as required.
• Ability to work independently with strong sense of focus and task orientation.
• Nonjudgmental, trauma-informed, and client-centered approach with clear professional boundaries.
• Excellent communication, organizational and time management skills.
• Proven ability to work independently, effectively as an individual and part of the team
• Demonstrate initiative and capacity to respond effectively in stressful/crisis situations.
• Willingness to be flexible with work schedule, including working some evenings.

Physical Requirements: :

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:

• Frequently walks, uses hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Often required to stand and sit; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, squat or crawl.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds and in case of emergency a 40-pound child.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer - all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

Notice: This description is to be used as a guide only. It does not constitute a contract, commitment or promise of any kind. We reserve the right to change, add, delete, upgrade or downgrade the position as dictated by business necessity at any time with or without notice.