Enrollment Couselor-EEC

JOB DESCRIPTION 

DEPARTMENT: Head Start & Early Learning Programs/ERSEA 

POSITION TITLE: EEC Enrollment Counselor  

LOCATION: Vernon Street, Northampton, MA 

STATUS: Non-Exempt 

SUPERVISOR: ERSEA Manager  

POSITION SUMMARY

Head Start & Early Learning Programs partners with families from pregnancy to kindergarten to form strong relationships and support their children’s learning and development. As a key member of the Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA) team, the EEC Enrollment Counselor works directly with families who have low income or who are involved with the Department of Children and Families to help them enroll in our program. The EEC Enrollment Counselor ensures that our full-day/full-year center-based program is enrolled with children eligible for EEC financial assistance and that we are in compliance with MA Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) policies.  

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Overall day-to-day management of enrolling children into EEC Income-Eligible and Supportive contracted slots and slots reserved for vouchers. 
2. Educate, support, and empower, parents in their search for quality childcare and education services. 
3. Assist families in accessing their most appropriate subsidy; and compliance with all procedural and documentation requirements of ACF, DOE, EEC and HS&ELP. 
4. Manage and monitor waitlist, enrollment, reauthorization and termination of children with vouchers and in Supportive and Income Eligible contracted slots in assigned Center-based locations 
5. Follow all required enrollment and reauthorization procedures consistent with the EEC Financial Assistance Policies and HS&ELP’s enrollment procedures. 
6. Meet with families in person or virtually to complete enrollments and reauthorizations for children with EEC funding. 
7. Send out reauthorization/end date letters to families and notify staff of reauthorization/end dates.  
8. Collaborate with all HS&ELP departments to ensure smooth enrollment transitions and procedures. 
9. Be knowledgeable and remain up-to-date on current memos, policies, and other EEC and HS communications. 
10. Refer families to community resources as necessary 
11. Report status of enrollment and wait list to supervisor on regular basis. 
12. Maintain relationships with EEC, Seven Hills, DTA and DCF as they pertain to financial assistance for enrolled children. 
13. With other members of Enrollment Team, assist with outreach/recruitment. 
14. Keep accurate files and computer records. 
15. Manage phone calls and inquiries from parents for all HS&ELP program options. 
16. Promote the availability of quality, affordable childcare and education services by representing Community Action /HS&ELP in a professional manner on community councils and committees. 
17. Relate in a professional manner to children, clients, Community Action/HS&ELP staff 
18. Provide backup coverage for other enrollment staff, as needed. 
19. When working remotely, comply with the agency’s policy.  
20. Maintain strictest confidentiality. 
21. Comply with agency and funders’ paperwork requirements and procedures 
22. Attend regularly scheduled supervision meetings, team meetings, mandatory agency trainings, and participate in professional development activities. 
23. Perform related work as required. 

This does not cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may be adjusted to meet the operational needs of the agency. 

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS??

We invite individuals with lived experience who are part of communities that?have?been historically?denied a full opportunity in aspects of economic, social, and civic life to apply. These communities include,?but are not limited to, BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S, persons with disabilities, and?persons adversely impacted by multigenerational?poverty or?other?inequality.????

• The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following competencies:???? 
• Interpersonal communication – verbal and written; in-person and phone.? 
• Conflict resolution, problem-solving, establishing priorities, navigating change. 
• Judgement and decision-making. 
• Organizational and assessment skills; detailed oriented and meet required deadlines. 
• Cultural competence and sensitivity to the needs of families with lower incomes.  
• Promote equity and create work environments that value truth-telling, courage, vulnerability, space to think and reflect, community-mindedness, hope, and openness to difficult conversations.? 

Key Knowledge and Experience:?? 

• Experience with child and family serving systems. 
• Experience working with families with lower incomes. 
• Experience with data management, data capture, tracking methods and analysis for outcome measurements. 
• Adapt to changing priorities and demonstrate close attention to details?? 
• Computer skills (Microsoft Suite, including SharePoint, Outlook/Calendar) and databases 

To Qualify??

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills:

• High school diploma or High School Equivalency and two years of related experience  

We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.? We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying. Please be clear and specific in application materials how your background, lived experience, and transferable skills are relevant to this position.??

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Requires sitting for long periods of time. 
• Working in office environment. 
• Some bending and stretching required. 
• Extensive use of telephone and computer required. 
• Manual dexterity required for use of calculator and computer keyboard. 
• Must be able to lift from 20 – 30 lbs. 

Community Action is an AA/EOE/ADA 

Employment is contingent upon the following: a satisfactory Background Record Check (BRC) which includes Criminal Offender Record (C.O.R.I.), Department of Children and Families (DCF) background check, Sex Offender Registry information (SORI) checks, fingerprint-based national and state criminal history database checks, National Sex Offender Registry (NCOR), and Out-of-State checks (CORI, SORI, DCF) if an individual has lived in another state within the last five years. BRC and fingerprinting-based national and state criminal history check is completed every three years. In addition, employment is contingent on evidence of physical exam within the past year, plus verification of MMRs. Documentation of subsequent physical exams must be submitted every 2 years.