Organization Overview
Marion \& Polk Early Learning Hub (MPELH) is a nonprofit organization serving Marion and Polk counties. Together with community partners, we work to ensure children enter kindergarten ready, families are stable, and services are coordinated and aligned.
Our mission is to bring people and resources together so families with young children get what they need, when they need it. We coordinate programs, back the early childhood workforce, and speak up for practical solutions that make care and learning work for everyone.
Position Summary
The Preschool Family Navigator Specialist helps families start and sustain Preschool Promise enrollment so children can thrive. The role provides strengths\-based navigation, warm referrals, and consistent follow\-up, coordinates with providers to support attendance and problem solving, assists during coordinated enrollment peaks, and tracks outcomes so services stay welcoming, responsive, and equitable for families. The position maintains strong referral and follow\-up systems, and supports case management practices.
This role is responsible for accurate documentation, tracking outcomes, and equity measures. This work is in support of continuous improvement efforts and helps support community safety and health initiatives such as car seat safety, family centered outreach related to childhood immunizations and safe sleep practices.
Core ResponsibilitiesRole Purpose \& Outcomes
● Provide strengths\-based, culturally responsive navigation so families can start and sustain Preschool Promise (PSP) enrollment and children thrive in development.
● Turn family goals into clear action steps and warm handoffs; reduce barriers and document outcomes consistently.
● Assist with community safety and health initiatives focused on equitable access.
Family Navigation (Direct Service)
● Provide strengths\-based case management: assess needs, set short action plans with families, troubleshoot barriers (transportation, documents, appointments) and make warm referrals (e.g., physical health, BH, EI/ECSE, housing/food, parenting classes), troubleshoot barriers and follow up to closure.
● Maintain accurate documentation, confidentiality, and informed consent; track touchpoints and outcomes (referral acceptance, closure time, barriers resolved).
● Surface system friction from families/providers and propose fixes (e.g., alternative hours, translation gaps, simplified instructions).
Provider Coordination (PSP Site Support)
● Partner with PSP site staff to sustain enrollment and attendance: resolve routine issues, align on expectations, coordinate supports and facilitate meetings between families and providers as needed.
● Surface system gaps/trends from the field (e.g., language access, scheduling, documentation to MPELH supervisor(s) and other staff as needed with suggested fixes).
Seasonal Coordination Enrollment (CE) Support (as assigned)
● During peak seasons, assist CE with outreach, application intake and processing, documentation gathering and accurate data entry per CE Standard Operating Procedures, as needed.
● Provide clear guidance on eligibility steps; close the loop with families and CE staff on next actions.
● Reflect on strengths and opportunities of CE process with CE team and providers.
Child Passenger Safety \& Car Seat Support
· Assist with community car seat events, supporting safety checks, education, and installations as needed.
· Support scheduling, outreach, and follow up for families requesting car seat assistance or education.
Immunization Outreach \& Family Education
· Offer family\-centered navigation support (e.g., education, assistance scheduling visits, appointment reminders, helping address barriers such transportation, language or clinic navigation) to increase childhood immunization awareness and access among families in Marion \& Polk counties.
· Receive training related to motivational interviewing, culturally and linguistically appropriate services, and immunization education to ensure families receive accurate and respectful information to support family decision\-making and child well\-being.
· Maintain documentation of outreach, family engagement, and referrals to support program evaluation and quality improvement.
· Help conduct outreach and co\-host community education events at trusted locations in the community.
Partnerships \& Community Presence
● Represent MPELH in community meetings; ensure consistent feedback loops with families and partners.
● Joint protocols with Child Care Resource \& Referral \& Willamette Education Service District/Every Child Belongs: when to engage, how to consent \& share info, warm transfers, and more.
Data, Reporting \& Learning
● Log each contact, referral, and outcome; monitor referral acceptance and closure timelines.
● Keep accurate records for Navigation/Family Support Funds/Car Seat Clinics: caseloads, Performance Indicators, and action items with clear next steps.
● Run brief monthly reviews (what we tried, what we learned, what we’ll change).
● Contribute results and stories to Parent Advisory Council \& Board packets as needed; provide concise monthly notes to supervisor(s).
● Participate in short and long program evaluations and report results.
Cross\-Functional Collaboration
● Finance; ensure audit\-ready documentation.
● Marketing/PR: align family\-facing messaging (plain\-language, multilingual) for Family Navigation; provide stories/metrics for campaigns.
● Events: support enrollment and family events (e.g. check\-in, navigation table, resource handouts); provide day\-of feedback for improvements
● Coordinated Enrollment: exchange warm leads, confirm status updates, and align on documentation during surges.
Customer Experience
● Provide welcoming, plain\-language explanations; send reminders and summaries of next steps.
● Capture family feedback; bring practical suggestions to improve clarity, timing, or access.
Equity, Access \& Language
● Prioritize language access, cultural responsiveness, rural reach, and higher\-need families; disaggregate results and adjust tactics to close gaps; ensure service access is equitable.
● Track outcomes by language/zip/priority groups; participate in analysis of data and help create system changes using an equity lens.
Systems, Safety \& Safeguarding
● Maintain and follow Standard Operating Procedures for Family Navigation (i.e. intake, documentation, approvals, reporting).
● Keep checklists/templates current (i.e. referral scripts); use approved scripts, forms, and referral templates; flag needed updates.
● Observe field safety protocols (check\-in/out, incident reporting) and complete required trainings (i.e. mandatory reporting, privacy, boundaries).
● Protect Personal Health Information (PHI)/Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and adhere to consent, records retention, and data\-sharing terms; document and resolve incidents/corrective actions.
Decision Rights \& Cadence
● Authorized: approve routine Navigation supports within thresholds and create standard communications/templates, as needed.
● Escalates: policy exceptions, high\-risk cases, safety incidents, non\-standard agreements, or budget variance.
● Rhythm: bi\-weekly 1:1, monthly snapshot to managers, quarterly improvement review, quarterly meetings with Executive Director, seasonal Coordinated Enrollment huddles during peaks, semiannual Parent/Caregiver Advisory Committee/Board roll\-up, annual workplan and budget build.
Qualifications
Required Requirements
● Bachelor’s degree preferred or 2\-4 years of experience.
● Education or experience in Early Childhood Education, Social Work, Human Services, or a related field.
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
● Bilingual proficiency (spoken and written) in English and Spanish.
Additional Requirements
● Proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
● Reliable, insured vehicle, valid driver’s license, and acceptable driving record.
● Current enrollment in Oregon’s Central Background Registry or ability to obtain clearance prior to hire.
● Completion of abuse prevention training within one month of hire.
● Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time
● Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs
● Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, or climb
● Ability to use hands and fingers for typing, handling tools, or controls
● Ability to see, hear, and communicate effectively
● Ability to operate standard office equipment or job\-specific machinery
● Ability to read, analyze, and interpret written information
● Ability to communicate clearly, verbally and in writing
● Ability to concentrate for extended periods
● Ability to solve problems and exercise sound judgment
● Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
● Ability to respond appropriately in high\-stress or time\-sensitive situations
Work Environment
Hybrid team environment with both in\-office and remote work. Requires collaboration with the Executive Director, leadership team, community partners, state agencies, and governance bodies.
Some evening and weekend hours are required for events, community meetings, and partner engagement.
This position requires the ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. The Company will provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable law.
Training \& Support
· Ongoing professional development opportunities provided through MPELH.
· Regular supervision and access to family\-centered coaching and support.
Salary \& Benefits
Salary range: $57,000\-$66,000 commensurate with experience.
MPELH offers a comprehensive benefits package including PTO, medical/dental/vision coverage for employees and dependents, employer\-funded retirement plan, and life insurance.
To Apply:
Please submit your resume, cover letter, and three (3\) references to Claudia Rodriguez, Family Stability Manager, at: Crodriguez@earlylearninghub.org
Applications will be reviewed as received.
Pay: $57,000\.00 \- $66,000\.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Salem, OR 97301