EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND HEALTH BOARD

Address:  1940 MESQUITE AVE, STE E, LAKE HAVASU CITY,  AZ 86403

Salary: $54,000 - $60,000 

Grade: 21

The Program Coordination Specialist will report directly to the Hualapai Tribe Regional Director and the La Paz/Mohave Regional Director and will be responsible for supporting a variety of coordination efforts leading organizations in achieving high levels of coordination that result in significant changes in policies, programs and practices in the delivery of timely, culturally responsive, family driven and community based services to families with children birth to age five not enrolled in kindergarten.

The Program Coordination Specialist will work extensively with the Hualapai Tribe Region and the La Paz /Mohave Region and follow the implementation plan that will apply to La Paz and Mohave Counties. The Program Coordination Specialist will carry out the strategic service coordination plan that will connect families to appropriate resources (including the development and ongoing update of region-specific resource guides); sustain the coordinated referral system in place so that families receive services from the program that best meets their needs; increase collaboration between agencies; and educate health care, child care and family support providers on community resources so that referrals are made to the most appropriate service providers.

Under the guidance of the Hualapai Tribe Regional Director and the La Paz/Mohave Regional Director, the Program Coordination Specialist will be responsible for executing the following:

• The position requires substantial effort to coordinate and work with stakeholders, including local providers, governments, the volunteer Regional Council members and internal First Things First staff.
• Gain a strong familiarity of the regional needs and assets reports to identify community assets, needs and service gaps as it relates to the service delivery system in the identified service area(s).
• Identify, engage and convene partners and key stakeholders, including participants with diverse perspectives, who share an interest and commitment to improve service coordination and represent a wide array of services. Build the interest and support for the formation of local service coordination groups; conduct and facilitate stakeholder meetings.
  
• Promote and assist with facilitation of the ongoing work of the Early Childhood System Coordination group and other stakeholders regarding service delivery.
• Implement the strategic plan for coordination of services through convening of partners to continue the work in systems change. Document progress and barriers to achieving progress. Update the plan as needed.
• Establish agreements, including the roles, responsibilities and shared commitments, with community partners to further enhance the early childhood service delivery system.
• Develop and maintain an early childhood resource database.
• Implement evaluation activities to assess impact, change and progress toward the coordinated service system envisioned, including quarterly and end of year progress reports. Report regularly to Regional Directors and Regional Partnership Councils.
• Research and identify resources to leverage services and funding to help support services within the communities.
• Travel to meetings located throughout Mohave and La Paz Counties, and occasionally throughout the state of Arizona to develop collaborative efforts, make presentations and meet with stakeholders. Some overnight travel is required.
• Work closely with the other program coordination specialists throughout the state, attend quarterly meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a field related to the purpose of the service coordination effort (i.e. children’s health, early learning, family support, social work, organizational development or project management).
•  Strong familiarity with the Hualapai Tribe and La Paz/Mohave Regions.
• Knowledge of and experience in the following:
  • Public presentations and facilitating coordination and collaboration efforts.
  • Graphics development, production of print products, and the use of websites, social media and other forms of media to share written information.
  • Computer skills in Google Suite, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, as well as, database, internet proficiency and other communication devices.
  • Researching and analyzing complex data and concepts with the ability to communicate information so it is easily understood.

The ideal candidate will:

• Have strong familiarity with the early childhood, education and health systems, including tribal education and health systems and the Indian Health Service.
• Have strong facilitation skills in leading various coalitions within the early childhood providers system.
• Experience in coordinating efforts with providers of different programs/agencies with a focus on meeting the needs of families and children.
• Be able to become a trainer in early childhood tools, assessments and resources in order to train community partners first hand.
• Be self-motivated, proactive and able to take responsibility for initiating and following through on tasks. Be organized, detail-oriented, and have the ability to handle multiple projects under a deadline.
• Be able to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Be able to work effectively in a team environment to meet goals.
• Have excellent communication (oral, written, presentation and interpersonal) skills, including the ability to write and speak clearly and in a manner that appeals to a wide audience.
• Have a history of creating and fostering a mutually respectful environment where diverse contributions and perspectives are valued.
• Be comfortable with and have experience that demonstrates reliability and productivity working with minimal supervision and maintaining multiple responsibilities with regular and punctual attendance, including the ability to maintain a flexible schedule.

The ideal candidate will enthusiastically support the vision and mission of First Things First and possess the personal qualities of integrity and credibility. They will have the proven ability to work within teams to accomplish multiple tasks and keep various projects organized and progressing.

Professionals implementing service coordination strategies have knowledge of and experience in the following:

• Human services systems and community development.
• Facilitation, working effectively with groups, coalition building, community organizing or systems development and change.
• Using tools and resources to assess systems coordination.
• Demonstrate culturally responsive practices in working with diverse families and children, including the impact of regional and cultural factors related to tribal communities and at-risk populations of people; however, this is not a direct service provider position.
• Familiarity with appropriately handling sensitive and/or confidential sharing of information.
• Have an understanding of early care and education.

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

ASRS

HR@FirstThingsFirst.org