ELRC Allentown Works Specialist

Want to make a difference? Come work with us!

Community Services for Children is seeking a customer-focused, detailed professional for a new opportunity as the ELRC Allentown Works Specialist. This position is an integral part of the ELRC Allentown Works team and works in collaboration with ELRC staff and community partners. The ELRC Allentown Works Specialist assists families seeking early learning information and opportunities that will ensure their children’s future success by providing friendly, comprehensive customer service and program implementation utilizing best practices, and in keeping with CSC’s mission, vision, and values. The Specialist assesses family needs, provides local resources and referrals, and utilizes established program criteria to determine eligibility for Allentown Works subsidy or emergency funding, and general eligibility for other publicly funded early learning programs. This role also collects attendance data and supports the provider payment process. 

Work Environment:

We are a large, well-established, high-performing organization located in the heart of the Lehigh Valley. Selected as a 2015, 2017, 2020, and 2021 Top Workplace, CSC is a leader in early childhood education. We work together to prepare young children and their families to succeed in learning – and life! Our culture encourages a growth mindset and promotes work/life balance - offering generous paid time off packages and comprehensive benefits.

Job Description:

• Conducts outreach activities independently and in collaboration with Allentown Works partners.


• Provides excellent customer service to families of young children seeking information and opportunities that will meet their children’s healthy development.


• Meets with families in a variety of community settings to conduct a needs assessment and provide related information and referrals, collaborating with external providers and providing comprehensive follow-up services.


• Maintains familiarity with a variety of community resources and related eligibility requirements including childcare programs, Child Care Works, PreK Counts, Head Start/ Early Head Start, WIC, Nurse Family Partnership Programs, Early Intervention, CHIP, and other social and health-related entities.


• Acts as a primary resource for participating childcare providers, answering questions and providing support around the invoicing process.


• Maintains case files and childcare schedules ensuring accurate payment and reporting.


• Analyzes and verifies the accuracy of attendance forms submitted by providers for payment and authorizes invoices for payment.


• Tracks subsidy funds and keeps supervisor informed regarding expenditures.


• Utilizes EXCEL and other relevant databases to process parent requests and maintain complete, accurate records.


• Participates in department and agency trainings, staff meetings, monthly supervision, staff development activities, and Allentown Works meetings/events as required.

Requirements:

• Minimum Associate’s degree in social work, business, early childhood, human services, or related field. Bachelor’s degree preferred.


• Ability to utilize relevant regulations and policy to determine program eligibility.


• Prior customer service experience with strong communication skills.


• Ability to utilize and manage computer technology, including tracking and reporting systems.


• Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) skills required.

• Able to work an occasional weekend and/or evening as needed.


• Valid driver’s license and full-time use of vehicle, or reliable transportation to community locations as required.

Benefits:

• Full Time.


• Low cost/rich benefits plan.


• Paid leave for vacation, sick, and personal days.


• Thirteen paid holidays.


• Agency sponsored 401k retirement plan.

Learn more at Allentown Works