THE ORGANIZATION

Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement (Riis Settlement), a community-based non-profit organization offering comprehensive services to the youth, adults, older adults, immigrants, and families of Western Queens, is dedicated to civic engagement and organizing as integral to our mission “to build and strengthen underserved communities and act as a catalyst for change.” For more information about Jacob A Riis Neighborhood Settlement, please view our website at

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced PACT (Parent and Child Together Time) Counselor to join our Family Literacy Program—an initiative rooted in a four-component model that promotes multigenerational learning and community impact. The PACT Counselor will facilitate interactive, family-centered learning sessions designed to strengthen the parent-child relationship, promote literacy, and foster the educational development of both parents and children. The ideal candidate will be passionate about early childhood education, family engagement, and empowering immigrant families through intergenerational learning experiences.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct regular PACT sessions for parents and children to engage in joint literacy and educational activities.
• Develop and deliver lesson plans that align with program objectives, promoting language development, reading readiness, and other foundational skills for children.
• Create a welcoming and supportive environment for families to interact, encouraging positive communication and bonding between parents and children.
• Provide guidance to parents on how to support their child’s learning at home and create a literacy-rich home environment.
• Adapt activities and materials to be culturally relevant and accessible to families from diverse backgrounds.
• Address language and cultural barriers that may impact family engagement and learning, offering support and resources as needed.
• Track attendance, participation, and developmental progress of children and parents.
• Prepare regular reports on family engagement, program challenges, and successes, providing recommendations for improvement.
• Work closely with other program staff to ensure alignment with the Family Literacy Program’s goals and standards.
• Attend staff meetings, training sessions, and workshops to enhance skills and knowledge relevant to the role.

Statement of Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Education, Social Work, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience working with children and families, preferably in a community-based or non-profit setting.
• Proficiency in Spanish (spoken and written) is required for this position.
• Strong understanding of early childhood development and literacy education.
• Experience working with immigrant families and a strong understanding of cultural diversity in learning environments.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with children and adults.
• Familiarity with literacy programs and family engagement best practices.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Benefits:

• 40 hours’ sick leave
• 21 hours of personal leave
• Retirement plan with 50% employer match up to 6% of total salary
• Student Loan Assistance and Education Assistance
• EAP Services

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex, or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $40.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Flexible spending account
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement

Work Location: In person