Purpose of Job

The purpose of this classification is to provide educational support and counseling activities to families enrolled in the evidence-based Parents as Teachers home visitation program which focuses on pregnant women and families with children from birth through kindergarten with risk factors. This is a grant-funded position.

Essential Functions

The Parent Educator is responsible for the following essential functions:

• Conduct family assessments and screenings through client home visits, develop family service plans, develop and review family goal plans, and connect to community resources
• Provide educational support and counseling activities to parents according to Parents as Teachers program model and KCHD guidelines assuring confidentiality of all client information
• Prepare and implement family plans based on the Parents as Teachers program requirements
• Provide comprehensive developmental assessments for children
• Regularly evaluate family progress in plan; engage family members to facilitate outcomes
• Approach families from a strengths-based perspective and maintain professional boundaries
• Maintain an overall caseload as assigned and determined by program guidelines
• Keep all documentation including electronic web-based records, paper records and daily calendar up-to-date and accurate
• Participate in regular reflective supervision, staff meetings, trainings, continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities, and professional development
• Meet contractual guidelines and accreditation requirements
• Plan, conduct and participate in educational parent group activities and/or targeted community-based events, including occasional after-hours and/or weekend events
• Respond to and report immediately if called upon by local, regional or central office supervisors, as part of a coordinated emergency response by the Knox County Mayor’s Office
• Ensure regular, punctual attendance during scheduled work hours
• Perform other duties as required
  

Minimum Training & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Studies, Education, Psychology, Social Work, or related field required; Nursing Degree preferred
• Minimum of three (3) years’ related experience
• Successfully complete Parents as Teachers certification training within eighteen (18) months of hire and engage in continuing professional education post-hire
• Ability to communicate bilingually (English and Spanish) and non-smoking preferred
• Must hold and maintain a current valid Tennessee driver’s license
• Must have reliable transportation and carry appropriate insurance coverage on personal automobile; must have a reliable home internet connection.
• Must be able to enter homes of clients
• Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered for employment into the position
  

Specialized Knowledge

• N/A
  

Competencies

• Proficient in use of PCs, tablets, smartphones and other electronic devices
• Ability to focus and demonstrate great attention to detail
• Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a team
• Ability to perform in a position of moderate complexity
• Ability to solve somewhat difficult problems
• Ability to communicate moderately complex information verbally and in writing in an effective manner
• Ability to direct the work of others and/or persuade or instruct others, if necessary
• Ability to demonstrate cultural sensitivity and skill in assisting clients with a wide variety of socioeconomic statuses and treat them with courtesy and respect
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of client information
• Ability to work independently with limited direct supervision
• Ability to use the Microsoft Office suite of programs including the Word word processing program, Excel spreadsheet program, Access database program, and PowerPoint presentation program
• Ability to use the various online programs such as RedCap, Intergy, TennIIS, and PTBMIS
• Ability to participate in occasional after-hours and/or weekend events
  

Physical Requirements

• This position requires the ability to engage in occasional light physical activity and be required to lift and carry items weighing up to thirty (30) pounds.
  

Occupational Hazards

• Regularly perform duties in client homes that may be unhygienic or dilapidated and located in high crime areas; the Parent Educator must be responsible for personal safety and security to minimize risks associated with his or her duties.

Knox County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Knox County Government may provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.