ERSEA Coordinator

Join a mission-driven organization dedicated to providing high-quality early childhood education and family support services in Orange and Sullivan Counties.

The ERSEA Coordinator oversees Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA) for the Head Start and Early Head Start programs across Orange and Sullivan Counties. Reporting to the Family and Community Partnership Manager, this position ensures that eligibility determination records are accurate and complete, maintains full enrollment, supports recruitment efforts, and monitors attendance to prevent chronic absenteeism. The ERSEA Coordinator supervises an ERSEA Assistant and works closely with Family Advocates to coordinate enrollment and attendance tracking. This role requires precision, strong interpersonal skills, and proficiency with data management systems.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Planning

• Develop and implement the program’s ERSEA plan in alignment with HSPPS Subpart A and program goals.

• Plan and coordinate recruitment events and outreach strategies to maintain full enrollment.

• Ensure eligibility criteria and selection processes are applied consistently across sites.

Program Implementation

• Oversee eligibility determination for all enrolled families, ensuring proper verification of income, age, and other criteria as required by the Head Start Act.

• Support Family Advocates in conducting application intakes and completing all necessary documentation.

• Monitor and address attendance concerns, working with staff and families to develop attendance improvement plans.

• Maintain inventory of recruitment supplies and order materials as needed to support connections with the community and child development, within available budget.

• Promote positive attendance and lead the program’s messaging and support of developing positive attendance habits.

• Represent the program at community events within the service area.

Family Partnerships

• Engage with families to explain eligibility criteria, program benefits, and the enrollment process.

• Support families in completing applications and providing necessary documentation.

• Collaborate with Family Advocates to address barriers to consistent attendance.

Communication and Service Coordination

• Coordinate with center leadership, Family Services staff, and Education staff to ensure smooth transitions for newly enrolled children.

• Maintain communication with community partners to support recruitment and referrals.

• Report recruitment and enrollment progress to the Family and Community Partnership Manager.

Record Keeping and Recording

• Ensure accurate and timely entry of eligibility, enrollment, and attendance data into the Go Engage database.

• Maintain up-to-date waitlists and selection records.

• Prepare monthly reports on enrollment status, attendance trends, and recruitment efforts.

On-going Monitoring and Self-assessment

• Conduct periodic file reviews to ensure compliance with eligibility documentation requirements.

• Participate in the program’s annual self-assessment and continuous improvement processes.

• Monitor adherence to ERSEA policies and recommend updates as needed.

• Monitor and track enrollment, attendance, and eligibility to assure compliance with HSPPS.

• Prepare attendance reports with available data when monthly attendance is below 85%.

Human Resources and Supervision

• Supervise and support the ERSEA Assistant, providing ongoing training and guidance.

• Provide technical assistance to Family Advocates regarding ERSEA requirements and procedures.

Program Governance and Leadership

• Present ERSEA reports and updates to the Leadership Team.

• Volunteer Management: Recruit and supervise volunteers in assigned service areas, ensuring in-kind documentation is accurate and submitted monthly.

Additional Expectations

• Maintain confidentiality of child, family, and staff information at all times in accordance with program policies and regulations.

• Travel between program sites and occasional overnight travel for training and conferences may be required.

• Perform other duties as assigned to support program success and compliance with HSPPS and NYS OCFS regulations.

• This position requires flexibility to attend community events.

Head Start Employee Expectations

• Uphold the shared values of the center.

• Cooperate with co-workers, provide assistance, information or other support as it is needed to ensure quality service to children and families and to build and maintain positive staff relationships.

• Actively participate in Head Start community, including staff meetings, mandated trainings, committee meetings, and other program-wide functions as needed, including some evening activities.

• Recognize that your job description is service area specific and that a successful employee upholds the overall employment standards outlined in the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual and specifically, but not limited to: confidentiality, child abuse reporting, attendance and dependability, appropriate dress, customer service and support to all families, prudent use of program resources, and promoting and maintaining safe work environment.

• Demonstrate integrity and responsibility by always doing one’s personal best, being honest and ethical, following through on commitments.

• Maintain a commitment to professionalism, continue own professional development and manage performance by taking responsibility for one’s own performance, setting goals, eliciting feedback, tracking progress and addressing performance issues promptly. Attend local, state and regional initiatives to represent the center and to develop professionally.

• Exhibit flexibility by showing an openness to different and new ways of doing things, and changing strategy when an initial strategy is unsuccessful.

• Show initiative by identifying what needs to be done and doing it before being asked or before the situation requires it.

• Familiarize self with Head Start Performance Standards and any State regulations pertaining to Head Start.

• Stay up to date on changing community needs, services, and agency resources to support families in attaining self-sufficiency and assuring program resources are up to date and relevant.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED with experience in verifying and documenting service eligibility.

• Experience implementing Head Start ERSEA policies and procedures is preferred.

• Knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards and New York State OCFS childcare regulations.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, data analysis abilities, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Experience with service delivery for diverse populations, including low-income families, children with disabilities, and English-language learners.

• Proficiency in relevant software systems for data management and reporting.

• Ability to work in a professional manner both independently and with others in a team environment.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong organizational skills.

• Ability to perform assigned duties in a safe and efficient manner.

• Able to tolerate occasional lifting of up to 40 pounds.

• Able to tolerate daily sitting working at computer and standing to operate various office equipment.

• Able to tolerate daily repetitive hand and wrist motions, via production/copying, keyboarding, phone work.

• Able to comprehend assignments, determine and prioritize workload, multi-task, problem solve and meet deadlines.

• Handle frequent in-person, virtual and phone contact with staff and public, often involving confidential information.

• Pass physical examination, background check, and fingerprinting screen.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Regional Economic Community Action Program, Inc. (RECAP) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.