Neighborhood Navigator

Founded in 1867, the Sacramento Children's Home is the oldest active charity in Sacramento and among the most highly respected. SCH is an equal opportunity employer who values an inclusive work environment that celebrates and recognizes the diversity of its employees. At SCH, we appreciate that having employees of many different backgrounds strengthens our organization, and we strive to create a workforce that reflects the diverse and culturally rich communities that we serve.

OVERVIEW: The Neighborhood Navigator acts as a communication and trust bridge between the family, the neighborhood and service providers. This position acts as a liaison to the African American community and embraces the culture towards building the neighborhood one family at a time. Under the direct supervision of the Program Manager, this position provides culturally appropriate advocacy, family development and strengthening services for African American families. This position affects the lives of African American families involved in services to result in better outcomes for African American children and families.

DUTIES

1. (60%) Community Relationship Building

• Connect with Community Incubator Leads (CILs) and Cultural Brokers and provide support if/when needed.
• Act as a cultural guide to decrease the likelihood of cultural misunderstandings.
• In collaboration with the FRC Intervention Specialist, maintain an up-to-date directory of community resources to support the African American families by identifying resources and services appropriate to the family’s need.
• Assure culturally congruent service planning and service delivery through participation at designated decision-making meetings such as, multi-disciplinary resource team meetings, case staffing, family conferences, court hearings and other planning meetings requested by the family.  
• Serve as a catalyst for change by modeling and mentoring behavioral change, which can break down bias, prejudice, and other institutional barriers that exist.
• Improve access to African American infant and maternal health resources through participation in collaboratives, meetings, streamline referral processes, warm handoffs, educational opportunities and additional coordination as needed.
• Increase the ability of African American men, women and children to manage chronic stress by cultivating relationships with community partners through participation in collaboratives, meetings, streamline referral processes, warm handoffs, educational opportunities and additional coordination as needed.
• Decrease the barriers to resources that lead to Black-White health disparities and social inequities for men, women and children.
• Engage the community to support African American families' health and well-being with education and outreach efforts.

2. (20%) Ongoing Services

• Link family to crisis intervention services and work collaboratively to assist family when crisis situations arise.
• Link families to appropriate Family Resource Center supports as needed.
• Support family in understanding school, judicial or institutional processes.
• Provide cultural interpretations and support in order to decrease the likelihood of cultural misunderstandings in meetings, Team Decision Making (TDM), family meetings, school meetings, Multidisciplinary Resource Team Meetings, and other meetings as requested by the family.
• Facilitate FRC Workshop as needed.

3. (20%) Meetings and Other Duties

• Participate in Multi-Disciplinary Resource Team Meetings as scheduled
• Attend weekly supervision meetings.
• Attend trainings provided by the Child Abuse Prevention Center and other internal/external training sources to stay relevant.
• Provide transportation support to assist families to attend meetings and support services as needed.
• Submit accurate data in a timely manner as required by Birth & Beyond Policy and Procedures.
• Model nurturing attitudes and behaviors in all contact with program participants and teammates.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and enriching work environment for families and staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

LOCATION:   4343 Williamsbourgh Dr. Sacramento, CA 95823

SCHEDULE:   Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm, Occasional weekends and evenings

SALARY:        $23.25 - $26.16 per hour, to start

Education and Experience

A high school diploma or general education degree (GED) is required.

Knowledge of the African American community and 2 years’ experience successfully engaging with the African American community is required. Knowledge and understanding of historical context, values, beliefs, and practices of African American culture is required.

Must reflect those who reside in the identified service neighborhoods identified in contract with First 5 Sacramento. Must be able to meet the background clearance standards of First 5 Sacramento and Sacramento Children’s Home requirements

Driving is an essential function of this job. As such, employees in this position will be required to furnish their own vehicle to be used in the course of employment. A valid driver’s license and minimum insurance coverage is also required. Must be at least 21 years old.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
• Possess exceptional mediation skills.
• Ability to be culturally sensitive.
• Ability to establish and maintain appropriate boundaries with families as established by the lead agency.
• Ability to develop and sustain partnerships and collaborations with schools, churches, and other community agencies.
• Ability to serve as a catalyst for change by modeling and mentoring behavioral change, which can break down bias, prejudice, and other institutional barriers that exist.
• Knowledge of child abuse issues.
• Knowledge of child development and behavior.
• Knowledge of family dynamics.
• Knowledge of substance abuse issues.
• Knowledge of local cultures.
• Skill to communicate effectively in written and oral form.
• Good organizational skills.
• Skill to maintain a professional, confidential work environment.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks at one time in an efficient manner.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word/Outlook.
• Ability to report to work on a regular and reliable basis.
• Baseline understanding of African American maternal and infant health disparities, especially related to historical and systemic issues on both a national and local level.

BENEFITS: Excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life and accident insurance, short and long-term disability plans, retirement plan with company match, paid vacation, sick leave, 11 paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, professional development and career advancement opportunities.

TO APPLY: Qualified employees must submit a completed Request for Promotion or Transfer form along with their resume to Human Resources. External candidates must complete our on-line employment application available at www.kidshome.org/careers.

PLEASE NOTE: Non-SCH employees who are made an offer of employment will be required to pass a post-offer, pre-employment background process that includes passing a drug test, including marijuana. Applicants who do not pass any part of this pre-employment process will have their offer of employment rescinded.