Family Advocate, Early Learning Center Job Listing at Bellevue College in Bellevue, WA (Job ID 15054)

Description

Position Summary  

The Family Advocate serves as a resource and support for center families enrolled at the Early Learning Center (ELC). In accordance with the ELC philosophy and policies, this position provides and/or connects families to social work services, assessments for children, parenting education, resources for clients with varying degrees of vocational, social, cultural and/or medical concerns. This position specifically helps Head Start families identify and achieve their goals by providing additional comprehensive health, nutrition, mental health, social services, and parent involvement opportunities. This position works under the general supervision of the Early Learning Center Director.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule  

Position Salary Range: $49,272/year - $66,036/year

The salary information shown above is a general guideline only. The salary will be determined based on candidate's qualifications and related experience, as well as market and business considerations. Individuals newly hired to Classified position are placed in a salary range based on the WPEA Collective Bargaining Agreement.

We offer comprehensive compensation package with salary and benefits as the main components. Competitive salary is within the Range stated above, and commensurate with qualifications and experience. Generous benefits package is offered through Washington State plans that includes multiple medical, dental, life and disability coverage choices for employees and dependents; choices of retirement and deferred compensation plans; paid holidays, sick, and vacation plans; transit program, reduced tuition, employee discounts and memberships, etc.

The employee is scheduled to work 40 hours per workweek. This is a Classified, overtime eligible position and represented by the Washington Public Employee Association of Higher Education (WPEA-HE).

About The College  

Bellevue College is a diverse student-centered, comprehensive and innovative college, committed to teaching excellence that advances the life-long educational development of its students while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of its diverse community. Bellevue College is located just 10 miles east of Seattle where we serve a student population of over 54% students of color and over 1,300 international students. The college promotes student success by providing high-quality, flexible, accessible educational programs and services; advancing pluralism, inclusion and global awareness; and acting as a catalyst and collaborator for a vibrant region.

We strive to create a vibrant and inclusive campus community that supports a diverse student body, faculty and staff. As an essential part of our mission and goals, diversity, equity and pluralism are promoted and fostered in all aspects of college life. By enriching student life through leadership opportunities, personal learning and cultural experiences, we are committed to building an inclusive and diverse campus community that fosters creativity, innovation and student success.

For more information, visit BC Facts at a Glance @ Bellevue College.

About the Department  

As a department of Bellevue College, our mission is to provide high quality, family centered, developmentally appropriate care & early education for young children and their families. In addition, we strive to provide a creative, safe, learning environment that nurtures, respects, and supports each individual's unique qualities and potential.

The Early Learning Center encourages discovery, creativity, overall development, independence, self-regulation, problem solving, and exploration in a safe, respectful, yet stimulating, relationship based environment. Our program maintains a child-centered philosophy that accepts each child at his/her own developmental level and encourages him/her to learn through rich experiences.¿When planning the curriculum, teachers provide experiences that reflect families' interests, hobbies, cultures, and languages.

Essential Functions  

Act as advocate for families

• Encourage and support families in working towards the goals they have set.
• Develop partnerships with service providers for counseling, health, mental health and dental and emergency assistance or intervention.
• Provide appropriate counseling or referral, emergency assistance, crisis intervention; assist in accessing health care systems, dental providers, nutritional referrals and mental health referrals.

Recruit family participation in program opportunities

• Supervise the recruitment of children and families in the community and on campus for Head Start; determine family eligibility based on federal guidelines.
• Participate in outreach throughout the community by attending events and sharing marketing materials.
• Call families from the wait list to determine their eligibility for the Head Start program according to their income.
• Attend campus events to recruit families. Create flyers to distribute in the community.
• Coordinate and encourage parent participation in leadership groups, parent meetings, program volunteers, and Puget Sound-Educational Service District opportunities including Policy Council at site and regional level.

Arrange and conduct new Head Start parent orientations

• Arrange and conduct parent orientations for new Head Start families in conjunction with the Head Start lead teacher.
• Assist parents to their responsibilities, opportunities and rights in Head Start.
• Meet with families at school or in their home to build relationships, to provide parent education that includes child development and health mental/health and social services.
• Assist with identifying strengths and needs, support goal setting and planning towards goal achievement and to support parent¿s engagement in their child¿s education.

Develop monthly parent education opportunities

• Implement quarterly family events, including parenting skills, child development, and health/mental health and social service advocacy.

Support Head Start children in the classroom

• Support in the classroom with Head Start children to stay within state licensing ratios.
• Support teachers and guide them when Head Start standards need to be met by covering their classroom to stay within ratios.

Other

Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications  

• Bachelor's or Associate degree in human services, health or early childhood education field or any combination of relevant experience can be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
• Two (2) years experience in the human service program, serving low-income families and working directly with families.
• Experience in delivering training for adult learners.
• Knowledge of Head Start standards.
• Ability to identify family strengths and plan/advocate around family goals.
• Ability to build relationships with community services.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple projects in a timely manner.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Ability to work effectively with culturally diverse individuals and groups.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Preferred Qualifications  

List special requirements or conditions of employment beyond the qualifications above:

• Must possess or obtain within 90 days of hire: current certification in Infant/Child CPR, Basic First Aid including Bloodborne Pathogen training, and a valid Food Handler¿s card.
• Proof of physical exam, including TB skin test and MMR immunity on file.
• Successful completion of a Washington criminal background check.
• Knowledge and ability to meet minimum licensing requirements for WA Dept. of Early Learning (DEL).
• Ability to safely supervise groups of children and their activities by standing, walking, reaching, sitting (on floor, small chairs, &/or outdoors), frequent stooping, and lifting up to 40 pounds.

Conditions of Employment  

Bellevue College intends to provide a drug-free, healthy, safe, and secure work and educational environment. Each employee is expected to report to work in an appropriate mental and physical condition to perform her/his/their assigned duties.

Bellevue College employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. 

Sexual Misconduct and Background Check:

Prior to start of employment, finalists(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check as a condition of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment, but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington State Law.

Check frequently in your inbox, spam, junk, clutter email folders for any communication regarding the next steps from Bellevue College and our background check partners.

Reference Check:

Reference checks may include, but are not limited to, contacting references and verification of work experience, and/or past job duties. 

Other Information  

• This position is NOT eligible for relocation allowance.
• This position is NOT eligible for sponsorship for employment-based visa.

How To Apply  

Applications received by 08/25/2025 will be given full consideration. Applications received after that date may be considered until the position is filled. 

All individuals interested in this position are encouraged to apply. Your application must include a complete online application and all of the required documents below to be considered complete. Any application that does not provide all requested information will not be considered for the position (only submit required documents with the application, additional will not be reviewed.) Please review Application Tips before applying. Current Bellevue College employees should apply the position through Employee Self Service.

Required application materials:   

• Attach a Cover Letter (min 1 pg., max 2 pgs.)
• Attach a Resume
• Complete the Job Questionnaires 

Contact: 
If you have questions with regards to the application or the hiring process, please contact Office of Human Resources at jobs@bellevuecollege.edu

EEO Statement  

Bellevue College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, language, ethnicity, religion, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, including gender identity or expression, disability, or age in its programs and activities. Please see policy 4150 at www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/. The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Title IX Coordinator, 425-564-2641, Office C227, and EEOC/504 Compliance Officer, 425-564-2178, Office B126. 

Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the recruitment process may contact hraccommodations@bellevuecollege.edu .

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