Intake Specialist

Make a Difference from Day One — Join Programs for Parents (PFP)

Are you passionate about helping employees thrive while supporting an organization that strengthens children, families, and communities?

At Programs for Parents (PFP), you'll have the opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven nonprofit that helps ensure every child gets the best possible start in life. We serve Essex County, NJ by empowering families, supporting childcare providers, and advocating for quality early childhood education. Our work encompasses providing education and referrals, promoting best practices, and connecting families with essential financial resources to help them thrive.

At Programs for Parents, we look for team members who:

• Lead with respect and empathy.
• Communicate openly and professionally.
• Embrace change and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate across departments to solve problems.
• Take ownership and accountability for their work.
• Support our mission of strengthening children, families, and communities.

We believe that the people who support our mission deserve support too. That's why we prioritize employee well-being with competitive salaries and benefits.

This is a full-time, exempt position working a 35-hour work week with a hybrid work schedule.

Pay Rate: $25.83/hour

• We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:
• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching
• Life Insurance and Long-Term Care Insurance
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick, personal, and self-care days
• Employee Assistance Program
• Professional development opportunities
• Parking and Transportation benefits

Position Summary

The Child Care Resource and Referral Department provides families with access to a broad selection of childcare referrals and community resources; conducts parent engagement events, community events, and parent workshops; and provides customer service to families and childcare providers seeking information regarding program eligibility and subsidy payments. As the Intake Specialist, you will provide superior customer service to families and child care providers seeking information regarding program eligibility, payment, and child care options in accordance with standard procedures outlined in the Subsidy Operations Manual.

Requirements

• Communicating with families and providers in person, by phone, and through written correspondence.
• Reviewing applications and calculating household income to determine program eligibility with a minimum 90% accuracy rate.
• Operating various computer systems to conduct searches for initial applications, redetermination, and/or updating information.
• Providing an overview of program requirements and procedures to families and childcare providers on how to choose quality care. Informing program participants of childcare options
• Explaining program requirements and procedures to families and childcare providers.
• Providing community referrals as needed.
• Linking participants to childcare resources and referrals as needed.
• Assisting childcare providers with payment and eligibility inquiries.
• Entering data into internal and external databases.
• Participating in staff meetings and training workshops.
• Maintaining, securing, and safeguarding confidential information
• Providing other related duties as requested, assigned, or directed.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations
• Strong critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to perform intermediate-level math
• Ability to enter data with a high degree of speed and accuracy
• Ability to meet productivity standards within established timelines
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma required; an associate's degree preferred
• Experience in human services or the child development industry is preferred
• Bilingual, Spanish/Creole preferred