Parent Ambassador- CREC Resource Group - Temporary/Per Diem - Job ID #13689

Parent Ambassador - CREC Resource Group - Temporary/Per Diem - Job ID #13689

JOB DESCRIPTION
Since 1966, the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) has been dedicated to providing innovative, high-quality, and cost-effective educational programs and services to meet the diverse needs of children and adults in Greater Hartford. Serving 33 member districts and reaching additional communities statewide, CREC supports approximately 12,000 students annually through more than 120 educational programs. Our offerings include professional learning and coaching for educators, specialized programming for students with diverse needs, and PreK-12 education across 16 interdistrict magnet schools. Additionally, CREC provides school construction, operations, and cooperative business services, while also delivering programs that help adults build real, job-ready skills. 

POSITION SUMMARY: 
Parent Ambassadors are trusted community members who help connect families with local early childhood programs and services. As parent leaders, they build relationships, share timely information, and help ensure that parent voices shape the direction of the Local Governance Partnership (LGP) in their town. Reports to the Local Governance Partnership Liaison.
NOTE: This is a grant-funded position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Community Outreach and Engagement: Build relationships with families in (Town) to raise awareness of Early Start CT (ESCT) and other local resources.

• Parent Voice and Advocacy: Gather input from families about their experiences with early learning, child care, and family services. Share key themes with the LGP Community Table.

• Support Events and Meetings: Participate in family events, listening sessions, and LGP Community Table meetings to help ensure family perspectives are represented.

• Collaboration: Work closely with the LGP Liaison and partners to promote family-centered practices and identify service gaps or needs.

• Resource Navigation: Help other caregivers understand and access available services like child care, education, health, and family supports.

• Monthly Updates: Submit a short tracking form each month that includes outreach activities, family feedback, and success stories.

• Comply with all company policies and procedures.

• Other duties as assigned.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: 
This position has no supervisory responsibility. 

COMPETENCIES: 

• Comfortable speaking with families and building community relationships.
• Able to work independently and communicate respectfully with diverse groups.
• Familiar with early childhood services or willing to learn.
• Available to work some evenings and weekends with advance notice
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities are a plus.

      Training and Support Provided:

• Orientation on the Local Governance Partnership and Early Start CT
• Ongoing support from CREC and Shine Early Learning
• Opportunities for leadership development and community engagement

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED)
• Is a parent, grandparent, or caregiver of a child under age 8 living in the community.
• Must reside in Newington

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Motor Vehicle Operator's License or ability to provide transportation to job sites, meetings, and trainings as required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described here 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. 

• Standing (continually, more than 2/3)
• Walking (frequently, 1/3 - 2/3)
• Sitting (frequently, 1/3 - 2/3)
• Lifting up to 25 lbs. (frequently, 1/3 - 2/3)
• Moderate Noise 

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION STATEMENT
CREC strives to understand and confront the symptoms and causes of racism and prejudice - ranging from biases to aggressions to discriminatory policies, practices, and traditions - that harm people from systemically marginalized groups or that benefit privileged groups. CREC staff and students acknowledge and respect people of all identifiers, such as race,