Parent Educator

The Up Center provides more than 20 critical support services for children and families in our community, including mental health counseling, parenting education and support, youth mentoring, foster care and adoption, housing and financial counseling, and services for people with disabilities. We operate at five locations throughout South Hampton Roads and impact over 10,000 people in our community every year by providing evidence-based services and programs that work.

The Parent Educator addresses a key strategy of The Up Center's mission: family home visitation programs. The Parent Educator’s responsibility is to successfully deliver the Parents as Teachers (PAT) program, an evidence-based early childhood home visitation framework that builds strong communities, thriving families and children who are healthy, safe and ready to learn.

Position Description

• Conduct monthly or bi-monthly home visits with a focus on prenatal families, including home visits with recurring access to vulnerable populations, which will require 20 to 35 visits per month.
• Collaboration with Doula working with prenatal families.
• Partner with families to improve well-being, reflect with families regarding parenting styles, and facilitate discussions and play activities to foster healthy child development.
• Conduct screenings and assessments for parents and children.
• Utilize identified resources available to provide family support.
• Plan and conduct group connections and family appreciation events.

Professional Development (provided)

• 20 hours of professional development each year to maintain PAT credential.
• Attend all required trainings: Core Curriculum trainings, Technology Training, PAT Foundational and Model Implementation trainings, Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Life Skills Progression, Cultural Competency Training, Health Screenings and other trainings as recommended by program to enhance professional skills and capacity-building.

Administrative Compliance

• Complete data entry in two electronic databases.
• Maintain accurate and complete family file records.
• Complete administrative tasks such as timesheets, etc.
• Participate in monthly reflective and administrative supervision sessions.
• Recruit families by conducting presentations in small or large groups.
• Request donations and incentives for active participants in the PAT program.
• Plan and conduct group connections and family appreciation events.

Skills And Demonstrated Abilities

• Strong leadership, verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and record keeping skills.
• Strong presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Fluent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to effectively and efficiently coordinate multiple projects.

Qualifications

• Four-year bachelor's degree in Education, Health, Child Development, Sociology, or a related field is required. An equivalent combination of education, experience and skills and abilities will be considered.
• Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively in a dynamic, innovative and changing environment.
• Attention to detail, honesty, integrity, professionalism, and sense of humor.

Education/ Requirements

• Must possess a valid driver’s license, current auto insurance, and daily access to a reliable vehicle.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule with the possibility of early morning, evening, and weekend work.
• Physical work environment: While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, lift up to 25 pounds, talk, and/or hear.