POSITION SUMMARY:

A certified parent educator supports families during the crucial early years of a child’s life through the Parents as Teachers model components, which include personal home visits, group connections, child screenings and linkages to a network of resources. Parent-child interaction, development-centered parenting and family well-being is emphasized in their work with families. Utilizing the Parents as Teachers Foundational Curriculum in culturally sensitive ways, the parent educator partners, facilitates and reflects with families to build protective factors.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post-secondary degree or diploma preferred in a human-services related field such as child and youth care, early childhood development and education, education, nursing, social work, health or psychology. Combination of equivalencies and experience may be considered.
• Minimum of two years supervised experience working with young children and their parents.
• Strong work ethic.
• Knowledge of early childhood development and parent education.
• Knowledge of Indigenous perspectives on well-being and resiliency, parenting practices and traditional sources of knowledge.
• Strong working knowledge of community and cultural resources to assist families.
• Ability to establish rapport with diverse families and empower them to build their strengths.
• Familiarity with developmental screening tools such as the Ages and Stages 3 and Ages and Stages Social-Emotional 2 Questionnaires.
• Demonstrated group facilitation skills.
• Exceptional, effective verbal communication and interpersonal skills (i.e. non judgmental, strength-based, objective, reflective, empathic, patient, tactful).
• Ability to be a self-starter, work independently and contribute in a team environment.
• Strong written communication, organizational and record-keeping skills.
• Computer skills including utilizing a database, web browsing, e-mail, Internet and word-processing.
• Ability to work flexible hours when necessary.
• Physically able to carry large items, go up and down stairs, and join families in play on the floor.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Successfully complete the Parents as Teachers Foundational and Model Implementation Trainings.
• Maintain current certification as a parent educator by completing the required professional development hours for years of service.
• Valid Alberta Driver’s License, insurance and a reliable vehicle.
• Current clear Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check.
• Current satisfactory Child Intervention Record Check.
• Documentation of a valid Social Insurance Number.
• Proof of Photo Identification.

• Provide personal home visits focused on parent-child interaction, development-centered parenting and family well-being (including planning, delivering and documenting the visit).
• Deliver culturally rooted services and supports with care and consideration to individual unique family and cultural context including Indigenous.
• Use the PAT Foundational Curricula to share research-based information with families.
• Complete all required documentation regarding personal home visits, group connections, developmental screenings and resource connections in a timely manner.
• Facilitate group connections to give families an opportunity to build social connections with each other, engage in parent-child interaction activities and increase their knowledge of ways to support children’s development.
• Complete developmental monitoring, developmental screenings and health reviews for each enrolled child.
• Complete family-centered assessments with each family.
• Develop, monitor and review goals with each family.
• Connect families to resources that help them reach their goals and address their needs.
• Help parents and children transition to other services as needed, such as to preschool or to kindergarten.
• Organize and clean inventory supplies/materials, etc.
• Participate in regular, reflective supervision, professional development, and engage in setting personal goals for self-development.
• Participate in regular staff meetings.
• Offer support, orientation, mentoring as requested to new staff/practicum students.
• Obtain competency-based professional development and renew parent educator certification annually.
• Participate in continuous quality improvement.
• Engage in recruitment activities including community awareness events and presentations.
• Assist with the preparation of newsletters and promotional material.
• Participate in interagency meetings/committees as required.