Are you a socially conscious, dedicated individual who is committed to building a better future for children, families, and their communities? If so, join us as we support early childhood education programs across the country to create positive outcomes for the children and families served.

The Lead ERSEA Advocate is responsible for implementing and providing support and monitoring oversight to assure that our Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment & Attendance policies are carried out in full compliance with the Head Start Performance Standards. The Lead ERSEA Advocate assists FSH leadership in coordinating and assuring the accuracy and timeliness of ERSEA-related responsibilities, with specific responsibility to support the ERSEA Assistants and Floaters/Clerks in the implementation of their job responsibilities.

Responsibilities:

• Provides support to ERSEA and FSH staff to assure adherence to Head Start Performance Standards in determining eligibility, selection, and enrollment of families into our program.

• Coordinates with the Early Learning Leads with the placement of children following Head Start Standards and the program’s best practices.

• Monitors vacancies and enrollment “hot spots” in order to assist FSH leadership in ensuring that the program maintains full enrollment and fills vacant spots as quickly as possible.

• Keeps abreast of new or revised Head Start compliance in ERSEA utilizing Policy Clarifications, Program Information, and Memorandum of Information and share with other ERSEA and FSH staff. Works with FSH leadership to maintain an active, updated waitlist. Reviews and approves applications.

• Coordinates the recruitment of families in all program options, working with community partners and school districts and/or private daycare provider collaborations.

• Collaborates with any Lead Advocates to build and nurture community partnerships to support ERSEA efforts.

• Prioritizes recruitment for categorically eligible populations (children experiencing homelessness or placed in foster care), as well as previously underserved eligible populations from a defined recruitment area.

• Ensures timely follow-up on program inquiries by maintaining an updated tracking system of potential enrollees and that family contact is occurring at the site level.

• Works with the Director and/or Coordinators to deploy staff and resources for recruitment.

• Supports family services leadership with scheduling, planning, and coordinating recruitment and outreach activities throughout the year, including setting enrollment benchmarks and campaigns.

• Participates in updates to Recruitment Plans, including for special needs, disabilities, and mental health.

• Supports FS Directors with compiling, tracking, and assessing attendance and chronic absenteeism data and trends by center, classroom, and family level.

• Provides support/consultation regarding planning and implementing center-level, classroom-level, and family-level strategies and campaigns to improve attendance based on the data and families’ circumstances in collaboration with Directors, Center Directors, and Coordinators.

• Monitors attendance and absenteeism and provides support to Advocates who are establishing goal partnerships with families around attendance.

• Participates and supports the implementation of automated attendance policies and procedures, as prioritized by the local delegate.

• Collaborates with ERSEA Coordinator to provide ERSEA training, mentoring, and capacity building to ERSEA staff and Advocates.

• Generates reports as needed and requested, such as monthly summary tracking reports, etc.

• Ensures all child files are completed and maintained according to program guidelines and expectations.

• Maintains timely and accurate documentation in SHINE Insight of all ERSEA work.

• Participates in assigned meetings, events, and training as required.

• Leads assigned department personnel, which may include providing oversight and input into hiring, training, scheduling, evaluating, as well as ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and the completion of all work performed by team members.

• Educates team members on all department and company policies and procedures.

• Meets with team members regularly to identify and resolve problems, manage projects, track goals, and review work processes and procedures.

Requirements:

• Bilingual in Spanish is required

• A high school diploma, GED, or HSED is required

• AA or BA in Family Engagement, Child Development Preferred

• Minimum two (2) years of experience working in community-based organizations or schools in diverse low-income communities.

• Physical exams and background checks are required for this position.

• Travel throughout the program area is required.

• Must have a valid driver’s license and/or reliable transportation.

Additional Information:

• Work Location: 310 Augusta Street, South Amboy, NJ 08879

• Work Hours: 33.75 hours per week

• Pay Range: From $40,000 to $43,203.07 annually Based on Education and Experience

• This is a full-time position with benefits.

Why Acelero Learning or Shine Early Learning?
- Ability to make an impact in the lives of the children, families, and partners we serve
- Career growth and professional development opportunities
- Supportive working environment
- Average of 5 weeks of paid time off during 1st year of employment
- Comprehensive benefits, including 401K matching and 100% vesting program

We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and healthy work place.

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