Thrive Initiative Coordinator

Sieda Community Action is seeking an engaged, collaborative leader to serve as the Thrive Initiative Coordinator for Wapello and Mahaska Counties. The Thrive Initiative helps strengthen families and build lasting partnerships throughout our communities. This position serves as the local leader for the Thrive Initiative by bringing together community organizations, businesses, schools, healthcare providers, government agencies, and residents to identify community needs, develop collaborative solutions, and improve outcomes for children and families.

Utilizing the Restore Hope model, the Thrive Initiative Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Thrive Initiative within the service area, facilitating community partnerships, leading the local Thrive Alliance, monitoring progress toward shared goals, and ensuring compliance with grant and agency requirements. This position also provides leadership and support to Thrive Navigators and works closely with community stakeholders to create a coordinated network of services that empowers individuals, strengthens families, and builds healthier, more resilient communities. 

EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, or related fields from an accredited college or university is required. Master’s degree in social work, counseling, health, or related fields from an accredited college or university is preferred.

Five years of relevant experience of case management or program coordination with experience in family services that embrace the concepts of family-centered and strength-based service provision and demonstrated leadership, communication, and problem-solving are required. Bilingual or multilingual skills, five years of experience in administration, supervision, or program management with experience in budget development and management, experience with reflective practice, and experience in providing services to culturally diverse communities/families are preferred. 

See the full job description below for more information. 

This is a full-time, 40 hours per week, non-exempt position with full benefits. 

This includes:

• Competitive salary, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Paid holidays.
• Generous vacation and sick leave.
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance options.
• IPERS retirement.
• Professional development and required training support.
  

For consideration, please submit your resume and complete the online application process. Applications will be accepted until Friday, July 24, 2026 at 4pm. For questions, please contact Jenna Fleener at jfleener@sieda.org  

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Thrive Initiative Coordinator
UNIT: Economic and Family Support Services (EFSS)                          

REPORTS TO: EFSS Unit Director
FLSA STATUS:   Non-Exempt

SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the EFSS Unit Director, the Thrive Initiative Coordinator is responsible for the implementation, coordination, and day-to-day operation of the Thrive Initiative within the assigned service area. The Coordinator develops and maintains collaborative relationships with community partners, facilitates monthly Thrive Alliance meetings, supports implementation of the Thrive model, collects and reports program data, advocates for individuals and families, and ensures grant requirements are met. The Coordinator represents Sieda and the Thrive Initiative through community collaboration while promoting positive outcomes for children and families.

DUTIES: (Essential Functions)  

• Perform complex varied duties requiring advanced skills. 
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with Thrive Alliance Partners, nonprofit organizations, state and local government representatives, community business leaders, faith-based organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Organize, facilitate, and coordinate monthly Thrive Alliance meetings.
• Serve as the local subject matter resource regarding the Thrive Initiative and Restore Hope model and processes.
• Support Thrive Alliance Partners in implementation of the Thrive model.
• Collect, analyze, and present community-wide data 
• Develop trust and maintain positive relationships with community partners and stakeholders.
• Advocate for individuals and families by connecting them with community resources.
• Participate in required Thrive Initiative meetings, training, and professional development.
• Promote collaboration among community organizations and service providers.
• Provide direct supervision of Thrive Navigators
• Conduct all duties in accordance with professional standards and agency expectations.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Travel throughout the assigned service area and work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Attend and participate in all supervision meetings and all required monthly meetings.
• Collect data for compiling the monthly and annual reports.  Submits data when needed to HHS and/or asking and/or the Economic and Family Support Services Director.
• Must be available to work varying work hours for special events/training.
• Other duties deemed necessary to support the Thrive Initiative, EFSS unit and Sieda as an organization
  

INDEPENDENT ACTION:

• Receive minimal supervision regarding task guidelines and completion.
• Manage their schedule and make decisions concerning programs, tasks and completion within specific timeframes.
• Maintain a regular attendance pattern to assure continuity of services and staff coverage.
• Demonstrate professional behavior at all times, including appearance and maintaining an orderly functional office area.

DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY

• Independent decision-making authority.  
• Provide daily, ongoing supervision of Navigators and operational management for the entire program.

 ADDITIONAL TRAINING:

• Obtain Certification that requires additional job-related training.
• Must pass a criminal background check including a registry check of past/current founded child abuse.  

These checks are conducted at hire and every two years thereafter.

INITIATIVE REPRESENTATION:

• Requires expansive levels of interaction with staff, customers, other agencies or funders. 
• Represent the agency with other organizations
• Implement, monitor, and coordinate interagency grants and contracts..
  
• Demonstrate professional behavior, including work ethic, communication, team building skills, positive attitude, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Be able to assume responsibility and work as a team member and leader.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to relate, engage and connect with both staff and clients.
• Attend both Sieda and non-Sieda meetings to collaborate and promote Thrive and EFSS.

INITIATIVE
DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION:

• Involved in the planning of a
  single program reflective of their job responsibilities.
• Ensure staff receive administrative, maintenance, and reflective supervision.
• Form partnerships with outside, collaborating providers. 
• Ensure families develop and achieve meaningful goals to promote family stability and growth.
• Ensure the Initiative is fully enrolled to maintain required capacity levels as outlined in the contract.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

• Provide overall supervision for Thrive personnel.  
• Supervise and provide support to the Navigators in the counties served.
• Ensure Navigators complete all required training and certifications.
• Plan, implement changes, suggest, and make improvements within the Thrive program.
• Ensure services are provided in a strength-based and family-centered manner.
• Provide orientation to new Navigators regarding policy and procedures for the agency and best practice standards.
• Provide and document a minimum of 1.5 hours per week to each Navigator for individual supervision.
• Assist staff in all areas of their position to include implementing practices, utilizing available community resources, engagement with families, professional growth, retention, recruitment, documentation, screenings and tools,
• Monitor and observe Navigators to maintain compliance. 
• Maintain full familiarity with best practices..
• Coordinate and/or implement screening processes for all referrals to the Thrive Initiative. Serve as the Initiative contact for Sieda for the statewide coordinated intake.  
• Takes a lead role in the development of local coordinated intake.
• Maintain on-going contact with Navigators
• Monitor record keeping, correspondence and self-scheduling of Navigators
• Attend Thrive Initiative statewide meetings.
• Ensure Navigators receive on-going training and Professional Development opportunities to enhance their skills and provision of quality services.

OTHER REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

ORGANIZATIONAL EXPECTATIONS: (Essential Functions)

• Support and model the agency’s mission, vision, and values.
• Maintain a regular attendance pattern to assure continuity of services and adequate staff coverage.
• Demonstrate professional behavior at all times, including appearance and maintaining an orderly functioning office area.
• Treat all individuals in a courteous, non-judgmental, reasonable and confidential manner.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

• Ability to communicate comfortably, effectively and in an engaging manner to any audience.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and spoken formats.
• Ability to utilize good listening skills.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret documents related to the program/funders/agency.
• Ability to speak to staff in a way that is both respectful and compels positive change.

REASONING ABILITY:

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. 
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of written rules and regulations and translate that information to program staff in a format resulting in contractual compliance in the delivery of program services.
• Ability to make ethical, operational and logical decisions confidently and effectively.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. 

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to extreme cold and extreme heat.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate, stand, walk, climb stairs, use hands and arms, drive, crouch and sit.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move 20 pounds.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to be considered for this position. 

FORMAL EDUCATION:

• Required:
  • Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, or related fields from an accredited college or university. 
• Preferred:
  • Master’s degree in social work, counseling, health, or related fields from an accredited college or university. 

EXPERIENCE:

• Required:
  • Five years of relevant experience of case management or program coordination
  • Experience with family services that embrace the concepts of family-centered and strength-based service provision.
  • Demonstrated leadership, communication, and problem-solving. 
• Preferred:
  • Bilingual or multilingual.
  • Five years of experience in administration, supervision, or program management with experience in budget development & management.
  • Experience with reflective practice.
  • Experience in providing services to culturally diverse communities/families.

TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY:

• Moderate level of computer knowledge and experience.
• Ability to enter documentation and information into databases and documents.
• Ability to use Google and Microsoft software applications/programs (calendar/Gmail/docs/sheets/drive/Word etc.) with minimal training and perform simple maintenance to keep computers operational.
• Ability to invite/schedule/attend/present virtual meetings using various platforms (Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, etc.)
• Ability to maintain and operate a laptop computer and cell phone.