Overview: The New Jersey Department of Labor is partnering with the Children’s Home Society of New Jersey to run a  program aimed at better understanding how a paid leave “navigator” role can assist Trenton-area families. The focus is on underserved caregivers, helping them learn about state family leave programs, complete applications, and access benefits they qualify for. 

Length of Assignment: November 1, 2026 to June 1, 2027

Schedule: Part-Time: Up to 5 Hours per week with Flexible Schedule including mornings, evenings, or weekends if needed. Remote work is also possible based on client or program needs.

Salary Range: $25.00 per Hour 

Job Description: A navigator is someone who, as a former participant of a program or service, provides compassionate guidance and support to individuals and families navigating complex systems, with a focus on maternal and child health. Navigators serve as connectors, leveraging their lived experience and training to bridge the gap between families and essential services.

Qualifications:  Must have strong knowledge of Trenton community resources, support services, and benefits programs for families.

Must be willing to participate in and contribute to developing v1 Navigator training materials and processes.

Must be willing to send and receive text messages, make and receive phone calls, and participate in video conferencing.

Preferred Qualifications: Lived experience with applying for paid family leave programs in NJ; Reside in the Trenton area;

Bilingual skills, English/Haitian Creole or English/Polish are always a plus.

Responsibilities Include:

• Assist families in navigating paid family leave benefits programs, including providing education on TDI/FLI based on what participants may be eligible for, and helping these participants complete applications.
• Support parents before, during, and after having a child, in coordination and collaboration with [The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey’s existing staff, e.g., community health workers, community-based doulas, family support specialists, nutritionists, clerks, breastfeeding lactation counselors, mental health providers, health liaisons, case managers, teachers, etc.]
• Support group-based programming and family engagement activities, either in person or virtually.
• Establish and maintain connections with DOL claims examiners and other community members who are focused on supporting families in accessing paid family leave.
• Support the Children’s Home Society of New Jersey’s staff and pilot evaluation team in tracking, documenting, and monitoring participants’ access to and use of services.
• Follow application process guidelines, including outreach, information dissemination, education, and the completion process, to advance from referrals to actual linkages and application completion for eligible participants.
• Serve a minimum of 2-3 clients per week.

The Children’s Home Society is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/D/V. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.