First 4 ME Community/Family Support Coach

The Opportunity Alliance is adding a new First 4 ME Community/Family Support Coach role to join the First4Me Early Care and Education Program with our Children and Youth Services department.

The First4ME Early Care and Education Program located in Portland is a two-generation framework for a coordinated birth to kindergarten-entry program which provides quality early care to support a child’s school readiness, regardless of risk factors. This community supported framework looks to improve a child’s social, emotional, educational, and health outcomes by providing family stabilization support and education to families with young children identified as “at risk” with the goal of increasing resiliency. To support these efforts, First4ME will also focus on intensive support to childcare providers for the obtainment and sustainability of high-quality staff and programming. 

TOA is looking to hire two First4Me Community/Family Support Coaches to work with families and their children in an identified community Early Childhood setting to identify their needs and aspirations. The coach will utilize a family led strategy that will provide adults and children in the family with the tools and social supports to collectively set life goals, create actionable plans and achieve their goals. The coach will work in partnership with others to conduct a family needs assessment, collaboratively create family goals, gather health information, and facilitate community building and parent engagement. The coach will work with the family to create and maintain a network of supports, remove barriers resulting in family stability & well-being increased. 

Schedule: Full-time/40 hours per week

Location: Office is based in South Portland; work will be conducted in the greater Portland community.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related Human Service field required. Master’s Degree in Social Work or related Human Service field preferred.
• 3-5 years of Parent/family education experienced desired.
• Knowledge of the important role that culture plays in child & family development, and an ability to adapt interventions accordingly.
• 3-5 five years of experience effectively navigating complex systems and connecting families to needed resources preferred.
• Flexible, enthusiastic, reflective, and self-motivated.
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills.
• Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office and Outlook required. SharePoint is a plus.
• Ability to respond calmly to rapidly changing situations and adapt coaching approach in order to maintain a safe environment.
• Must have a distinct comfort level for working independently, while remaining mindful of role as part of a team.
• Must be able to successfully pass a criminal background, child protective service check & sex offender check.
• Must not be on the state or federal suspension and disbarment list.
• If residential or ECE employee must be able to pass pre-employment physical and TB screen.
• ECE must be current on MMR and TDAP immunizations.
• Must be able to exert moderate physical effort with occasional standing, walking, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, typing and frequently lift and carry small children or material weighing up to 25 pounds. VDT Exposure (computer screen).
• Driving may be necessary to attend meetings and trainings and for the occasional need to meet with clients offsite and within the program service area. This may include transportation of clients or driving to agency location to complete work. A good driving record is required.

Benefits: Our benefits include but are not limited to:

(offered to full-time and part-time employees)

• Generous paid time off accrual
• 9 paid holidays per calendar year and up to 3 floating holidays per calendar year 
• Excellent medical benefits at very reasonable cost 
• Dental and Vision insurance options 
• Agency paid basic life insurance and STD & LTD disability insurances 
• 403(b) retirement with a generous agency match (all employees are eligible)
• Tuition Reimbursement – offered once per year through an application process
• The Opportunity Alliance (TOA) is a qualified employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

To learn more about our benefits please visit, https://www.opportunityalliance.org/explore-our-benefits

Who we are…

The Opportunity Alliance is “Helping People Reach for a Brighter Future”.

Mission: The Opportunity Alliance works with people to build better lives and stronger communities. We provide advocacy, leadership, and support to identify the goals and address the needs of individuals, families, and communities.

The Opportunity Alliance (TOA) is a dynamic, results-focused Community Action Agency providing approximately 50 integrated community-based and clinical programs serving more than 20,000 people annually throughout the state of Maine. With over 50 years of experience, TOA draws from a comprehensive set of programs which address issues such as mental health, substance use, homelessness, lack of basic needs, and access to community supports. Through an extensive array of services, TOA provides opportunities for individuals to stabilize fragile situations and then works with them to achieve self-sufficiency. TOA is client-focused with extensive experience working with diverse client populations. TOA programming includes four key sectors of service:

• Mental Health & Wellness
• Community Building
• Family & Early Childhood Education
• Economic Resources

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The Opportunity Alliance is an affirmative action / equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are viewing this posting on a third-party site, please visit our website at https://opportunityalliance.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/Careers to apply.

Please submit a cover letter and resume along with your application.

Thank you!