Program Coordinator, Level 3 (Early Literacy… at City Of… · Cambridge

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT VISION:

The Community Engagement and Family Support Division (CEFS) is under the Department of Human Service Programs for the City of Cambridge. The Division provides Center for Families (a universal family support program that includes parenting education workshops, parent support programs, early literacy playgroups, gross-motor playgroups, short-term case management, information and referral services, community building events, parent/child activities, one-on-one support through Case Management program, and concrete support in times of need.), Baby University (an intensive family support program), Cambridge Dads (programming and supports just for dads/male caregivers), The Community Engagement Team (supports Cambridge families access and understanding of resources, information, and system navigation), and The Agenda Literacy Initiative (CEFS early literacy program).

All Division activities and services are welcoming and respectful of participants' racial, cultural, family structures, and socio-economic backgrounds. The Division is comprised of 20 full-time and 20-25 part-time staff. The Division values diverse, flexible, creative teamwork-oriented staff members who are committed to serving all families, especially those traditionally marginalized, isolated, and under-served.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Early Literacy and Numeracy Coordinator is responsible for leading the development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of early family literacy and math programming within the Community Engagement and Family Support Division (CEFS) and in partnership with community organizations. The position supports the integration of developmentally appropriate evidence-based, early family literacy and math strategies across family support programs, provides support and resources to staff, and strengthens the capacity of programs and community partners to engage with families. Early Literacy and Numeracy Coordinator works collaboratively across CEFS to ensure programming reflects early family literacy and math research practices, division goals, responds to the needs of families with young children, and promotes positive early learning experiences that families can incorporate into their everyday lives. This position also requires schedule flexibility including weekend and evening coverage.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Full participation in the Department of Human Service Programs’ mission to eliminate racism within our department.
• Lead the design and delivery of best-practice family literacy and numeracy initiatives, collaborating with city stakeholders to expand reach and promote equitable access across all neighborhoods.
• Collaborate with the Office of Early Childhood to coordinate administrative supports and ensure family literacy practices and provider supports are aligned.
• Work with the CEFS Parent Education Specialist to offer parent education programming that supports parents' understanding of family literacy practices, including workshops, playgroups, and community-building events.
• Oversee Cambridge Book Bike program, which includes, but is not limited to, purchasing books, coordinating and facilitating the Book Bike program, and working with community partners (Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge Public Health Department, and Center for Families).
• Coordinate local community partners to offer Family Literacy Month events and opportunities, including city-wide Family Literacy Fun Day event.
• Conduct ongoing evaluation to ensure programming goals are aligned and strategies are effective in supporting Cambridge families.
• Develop and monitor program budgets.
• Actively promote the professional growth and development of program staff to support them in working effectively with families in ways that are consistent with best practices in adult learning and family engagement.
• Work with CEFS Community Engagement Team to ensure early literacy and math strategies are accessible to families with diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
• Support staff to build and sustain trusting relationships with parents and caregivers through outreach, engagement, and ongoing family support.
• Ensure all Cambridge families with young children have access to early family literacy and math opportunities and resources, with a specific focus on those living in public and subsidized housing.
• Represent early family literacy and math at community meetings, outreach activities, community-building events, and alumni events, including evenings and weekends.
• Recruit, train and supervise four (4) part-time early family literacy and math staff. Coordinate outreach worker staffing and schedules to ensure effective coverage.
• Maintain current knowledge of community resources.
• Complete program documentation, data entry, and other administrative responsibilities in a timely and accurate manner.
• Complete all required paperwork.
• Attend monthly staff meetings.
• Attend staff trainings as required.
• Attend monthly supervision meetings.
• Work some evenings and occasional weekend hours as required
• Perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, social work, human services, psychology or library sciences with a concentration on early development or a related field is preferred.
• Five (5) or more years of experience working with diverse families and young children in early literacy, early childhood education, family engagement, or a related setting is required
• Experience using strength-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approaches when working with families and supporting parents and caregivers in their child’s learning and development is strongly preferred.
• Experience developing, implementing, or facilitating early childhood programming, family literacy and numeracy activities, parent education, or other family-centered programming is preferred.
• Training or professional development in early childhood development, early literacy and numeracy, family engagement, parent education, or related areas is preferred.
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, community-based organizations, and early childhood partners to coordinate programming and strengthen supports for children and families is preferred.
• Multilingual skills are preferred; proficiency in Spanish, Amharic, Bangla, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, or Arabic is an asset given the communities served.
• At least three (3) years of staff supervision experience required.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of child development and early literacy and numeracy practices for young children, including language development, early literacy and math skills, and promoting early learning through play, routines, and everyday family interactions
• Ability to assess family needs, identify strengths and challenges, and partner with families using a non-judgmental, empowering approach.
• Knowledge of available community resources in Cambridge and the greater Boston area, including early childhood programs, educational programs, child enrichment and family engagement and the ability to connect families to resources
• Experience facilitating parent education workshops, literacy workshops and family education or similar experience; ability to adapt facilitation style to the needs and cultural backgrounds of participants.
• Knowledge of evidence-based and developmentally appropriate early childhood practices, with the ability to translate early literacy and numeracy research into practical strategies, resources, and guidance for staff, families, and community partners.
• Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills; ability to build trusting, effective relationships with families from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain accurate and timely documentation and track referrals and resource connections in accordance with program and data privacy standards.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage a caseload, prioritize competing demands, meet documentation deadlines, and track time-sensitive family needs simultaneously.
• Technology skills including proficiency with email, Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Workspace, Zoom, and the ability to use case management and data entry platforms with moderate instruction.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity, cultural humility, and inclusive community engagement; ability to work effectively with families across diverse identities, languages, and lived experiences.
• Ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups across diverse identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the general direction of the Director of the Division Director for Family & Community Engagement or a designated supervisor as determined by the department head, exercising independent judgment and initiative; work is reviewed through regular meetings, reports, and evaluation of program outcomes.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Provides direct supervision to program staff, including setting priorities, assigning work, approving time, and conducting performance evaluations; may oversee interns, volunteers, and temporary staff as needed.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in a standard office environment with fluorescent lighting, carpeted floors, air conditioning, and a moderate noise level, and requires some evening and occasional weekend hours.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Requires the ability to use a computer to access, input, and retrieve information, answer phones, maintain multiple files, lift up to 10 pounds, and maintain sufficient mobility to travel throughout the City of Cambridge.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the below documents to complete your application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.