Child Care Navigator Specialist

About our organization

Since 1981, Options for Learning has been at the forefront of helping families break the cycle of poverty and improve their lives by providing tools to create a positive foundation for school, social, and life success. Our dedicated and passionate employees have helped our organization become one of Southern California’s most innovative and progressive child development organizations, serving nearly 9,000 children throughout the San Gabriel Valley.

About this position

This position is responsible for collaborating with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to place children with child care providers. The successful candidate must be able to communicate effectively, work both independently and collaboratively within a small, close-knit team, and thrive in a fast-paced environment. We are looking for someone with an upbeat, positive attitude who is eager to support the organization’s mission and achieve its strategic goals.

What you’ll be doing

• Processing emergency child care referral requests and identifying child care providers for placement of DCFS-supervised children between the ages of birth through 5 years old (and their siblings) within required time frames;
• Working with identified providers to ensure child care services are provided and supporting documentation is complete for payment;
• Continuing to work with families to identify child care providers and alternative child care program placement as needed, with the goal of securing long-term care;
• Submitting bi-weekly placement status reports as required by organization contracts;
• Maintaining a co-location presence at DCFS regional offices where the State Bridge Program is implemented for outreach, education, and placement of children;
• Performing outreach and education to DCFS staff, as well as working on developing and posting informational flyers in designated areas throughout the DCFS regional offices where the State Bridge Program is implemented;
• Informing DCFS staff of emergency child care spaces available through the State Bridge Program during DCFS staff and unit meetings;
• Maintaining family and child records for the State Bridge program;
• Working collaboratively and cooperatively as part of a team with colleagues and staff within the organization, DCFS, Child Care Alliance of Los Angeles, and other agencies for effective program implementation;
• Maintaining records of program activities and tracking participation;
• Providing technical assistance and resources to parents, resource families, and providers;
• Maintaining and ensuring data integrity and accuracy for required databases;
• Preparing oral and written reports as needed;
• Attending designated community meetings and other meetings, as needed;
• Performing other duties as assigned.

What you bring to the table

• Associate’s degree in related fields of early childhood education, human services, social work, or psychology;
• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, human services, social work, or psychology (preferred);
• Minimum of three years of relevant experience working with children and families, including working with children ages birth to 5 years;
• Knowledge of California child development programs, the child care delivery system, and Community Care Licensing;
• Ability to understand the needs of children and caregivers to provide adequate placement into child care services;
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively with diverse client populations;
• Ability to be flexible, innovative, and adaptable to the changing needs of the program, department, and organization;
• Previous experience that demonstrates effective problem-solving and decision-making skills and the ability to work autonomously with multiple sites;
• Effective time management/organizational skills and the ability to successfully meet position requirements;
• Strong and effective presentation skills;
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and competing priorities while meeting deadlines;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suites;
• Ability to correctly and effectively communicate in written and oral English;
• Command of Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, or Vietnamese;
• California driver’s license, daily use of an automobile, and automobile liability insurance.

What we can offer you

• Medical/dental/vision for part- and full-time employees (organization pays up to 90% of employee’s premiums; prorated for part-time);
• Organization-paid and matching retirement plan;
• Professional growth opportunities, including free child development courses and college reimbursement;
• Generous and flexible PTO;
• Dedicated, mission-driven colleagues, and much more!

Job specifications

• Reports to the Resource and Referral department supervisor;
• Full-time, 12-month work year;
• Eight-hour workday;
• Opportunity for hybrid-work schedule may be available and to be determined by management;
• Alternating Friday or Monday off (every Friday or Monday off, beginning July 2024);
• Requires some evening and weekend work hours;
• Employment, responsibilities, compensation, and other factors may be affected by changes in governmental regulations, the organization’s contracts, or at the organization’s discretion.

Salary

• $27.74 per hour