Make a Difference for Children and Families Every Day
Do you believe every child deserves a great start? Are you passionate about helping families navigate one of the most important decisions they’ll ever make?
Early Years is seeking a Child Care Consumer Education & Referral Specialist III to join our Child Care Referral Central team. In this role, you’ll help families find quality child care, connect them with community resources, provide consumer education, and support children from birth through school age across North Carolina.
We’re looking for someone who is compassionate, resourceful, and committed to making a difference. If you enjoy building relationships, solving problems, and helping families succeed, we’d love to meet you.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Join a collaborative, mission-driven team where your work truly matters every day.
Job Title: Child Care Consumer Education and Referral Specialist III
Job Summary
Provides high-quality consumer education, consultation, referral, and family support services to assist families in identifying, accessing, and evaluating child care and early childhood education programs that meet their unique needs. Conducts individualized family assessments to provide personalized child care referrals, consumer education, and connections to community resources that promote children’s healthy development and family well-being. Serves as a trusted resource for families by providing accurate information on early care and education, school-age programs, financial assistance, and community services that improve access to quality child care. Represents Early Years through community outreach, educational presentations, and collaborative partnerships while supporting child care providers through recruitment, data quality, and resource development. Maintains accurate records, contributes to continuous quality improvement efforts, and supports the agency’s mission of improving outcomes for children and families through equitable access to high-quality early childhood education.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Family Consumer Education & Referral Services
- Provide high-quality, personalized consultations and child care referrals by phone, email, text, virtual appointments, and in person.
- Assess each family’s unique needs, preferences, and circumstances to provide individualized child care referrals, consumer education, and connections to community resources.
- Educate families on selecting high-quality early childhood education and school-age programs using recognized quality indicators and best practices.
- Connect families with community resources and support services that address barriers to accessing child care and promote family well-being.
- Provide enhanced referral services and ongoing support for families requiring additional assistance, including follow-up, facility tours, and problem-solving as appropriate.
- Conduct guided child care program visits to assist families in evaluating early childhood education options and making informed decisions.
- May transport families and their children in an agency vehicle to visit child care programs or other approved locations as part of enhanced family support services, in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
- Pre-screen families for eligibility for child care scholarships and other financial assistance programs.
- Community Outreach & Consumer Education
- Represent Early Years and Child Care Referral Central through community outreach events, employer partnerships, educational workshops, webinars, and public presentations.
- Promote awareness of Child Care Referral Central services and educate families, employers, and community partners about available early childhood resources.
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community organizations, child care providers, employers, and other stakeholders serving children and families.
- Provider Engagement & Resource Development
- Recruit and engage licensed child care programs to participate in Child Care Referral Central.
- Assist child care providers in maintaining accurate program information to support quality referrals and consumer decision-making.
- Maintain current knowledge of local early childhood programs, community resources, licensing regulations, and services available to families.
- Data Management & Quality Assurance
- Accurately document family interactions, referrals, provider information, and service outcomes using agency databases and technology systems.
- Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and confidentiality of consumer and provider information in accordance with agency policies and funding requirements.
- Collect, maintain, and report data necessary for program evaluation, contract compliance, and continuous quality improvement.
- Participate in quality assurance activities to support exceptional customer service and program effectiveness.
- Team Collaboration & Professional Development
- Participate in department meetings, agency trainings, and professional development activities to maintain current knowledge of early childhood systems and best practices.
- Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, and team-oriented work environment that values diversity, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Support the onboarding and training of new team members through peer mentoring, knowledge sharing, and shadowing opportunities.
- Maintain confidentiality and adhere to all agency policies, procedures, customer service standards, and ethical practices.
- Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission and goals of Early Years.
Special Skills
- Demonstrated ability to build trusting relationships with families, child care providers, employers, community partners, and colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
- Demonstrated resourcefulness and curiosity with the ability to research, identify, and connect families to appropriate child care and community resources in a dynamic service environment.
- Excellent oral, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively and professionally with internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong customer service skills with the ability to actively listen, assess family needs, problem-solve, and provide individualized guidance and support.
- Knowledge of, or the ability to learn, North Carolina’s early childhood system, child care licensing regulations, quality initiatives, financial assistance programs, and community resources.
- Ability to conduct family assessments and apply sound judgment to identify appropriate child care options, community resources, and support services.
- Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing program needs.
- Demonstrated initiative, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, virtual meeting platforms, internet research, database applications, and other technology used to deliver services and maintain accurate records.
- Strong attention to detail with the ability to accurately document services, maintain confidential information, and ensure data quality and integrity.
- Ability to present educational workshops, facilitate meetings, and represent Early Years professionally at community outreach events and partner meetings.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and providing culturally responsive, family-centered services.
- Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is strongly preferred.
Education and Experience Requirements
- Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Human Services, Social Work, Education, Psychology, Family Studies, Public Health, or a related field.
- A minimum of two (2) years of paid experience providing direct services to children and families in early childhood, child care, education, family support, human services, public health, child welfare, or other related children’s services.
- Demonstrated experience building relationships with families and providing individualized support, education, consultation, or resource coordination.
- Experience using computer applications, databases, and technology to document services and maintain accurate records.
- An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
- Preferred Qualifications
- Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.
- Knowledge of North Carolina’s early childhood system, including child care licensing, quality initiatives, subsidy programs, and community resources.
- Experience providing child care consumer education and referral services, family support, home visiting, case coordination, community outreach, or related early childhood services.
- Experience presenting educational workshops, facilitating groups, or conducting community outreach.
Special Working Requirements
- Valid, non-suspended North Carolina driver’s license, reliable personal transportation, and continuous automobile liability insurance. Regular travel throughout the assigned service region is required. Must possess and maintain a driving record that meets agency insurance requirements and be eligible to operate an agency vehicle.
- Ability to travel occasionally for regional, statewide, and national meetings, conferences, trainings, and outreach events, including occasional overnight travel.
- Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends to support community outreach events, educational workshops, and agency initiatives.
- Ability to work in a hybrid environment, including remote and in-office work, in accordance with agency policies. Must have reliable internet access to support remote work responsibilities.
- Ability to effectively use computers, databases, virtual meeting platforms, office equipment, and other technology required to perform essential job functions.
- Ability to communicate effectively by phone, email, video conferencing, and in person with families, providers, community partners, and colleagues.
- Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy, confidentiality, and attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to occasionally lift and transport materials weighing up to 25 pounds for outreach events, trainings, or office needs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
- Must successfully pass all required background checks and maintain eligibility to work with children and families in accordance with agency policies and applicable regulations.
- Must comply with all agency policies, confidentiality requirements, health and safety protocols, and other conditions of employment.
Early Years Benefits
Early Years has a generous benefits package. Permanent employees that work at least 20 hours per week are eligible for benefits. Some of the benefits we offer include:
- Section 125 Cafeteria Plan
- Health, dental, vision and life insurance
- Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Employer contribution to 401k Retirement Plan
- Paid annual and sick leave
- 15 paid days of holiday leave
- Paid child Involvement Leave
- Paid discretionary leave
- Paid wellness leave
- Employee Assistance Program
- Child Care Tuition payments
- And more…
Early Years also offers many fringe benefits. Some of the fringe benefits include:
- Casual dress work environment
- Direct deposit
- Standing and emergency payroll advances
- Child Care Referral assistance
- And more…
Early Years has been awarded Living Wage Employer Certifications in Orange and Durham Counties, and is a Family Forward NC Certified Employer.
Employment is contingent upon passing a criminal background check. Early Years is no longer requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for employment due to the fact that there is significantly less risk of severe illness. However, Early Years strongly recommends that employees receive this vaccination in order to minimize the risk of infections in our workplace.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $42,840.00 - $47,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Education:
Ability to Commute:
- Durham, NC 27703 (Required)
Work Location: In person
