Family Engagement Specialist

Family Engagement Specialist

Salary Range: $46,668- $79,682 (Grant funded-Commensurate with experience) Supervisor: Coordinator of Family Engagement Job Classification: Exempt Contract Length: 10.5-months (210 days)

The Family Engagement Specialist is responsible for working with the families of Petersburg City Public School students in order to positively impact student achievement and overall school performance. The Family Engagement Specialist supports and strengthens the link between community-based organizations, businesses, faith-based organizations, parents, families and schools.

Essential Job Functions:

• Encourages and increases parental/family involvement in school by providing ongoing activities, educational programs, and workshops to enhance student learning through family learning
• Collaborates with school Principals, staff, and other stakeholders to achieve measurable outcomes, and meet school and district goals
• Plans, coordinates, and implements a comprehensive family engagement program for various school sites. School focused on assisting families in preparing their student to be college and career ready
• Recruits parents and representatives from school, business, and community organizations to participate in school partnerships
• Partners with families, staff, and community organizations to develop a cohesive approach to curbing student chronic absenteeism
• Develops flyers and other print materials to promote the family engagement initiative and opportunities
• Collaborates with school staff, guidance counselors, and other staff to develop a process to authentically engage families in supporting student transition through different grade levels
• Promotes parent and community volunteerism through the utilization of pertinent data to inform practice
• Develops and fosters community partnerships with faith-based organizations, businesses, and non-profit organizations that provide services to families in need
• Coordinates family engagement opportunities that support school goals and addresses key focus areas
• Conducts periodic home visits to assess family needs pertaining to the academic support of their student
• Works closely with identified families to ensure necessary supportive services are available for their student's educational goals
• Increases family awareness regarding available community resources and connects families to appropriate supports
• Maintains a database of parent volunteers, interventions, supports provided, and other relevant parental involvement data

Job Specifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required):

• Knowledge of content, concepts, principles and methodologies of family engagement strategies and truancy policies in a public school setting
• Proven expertise working with traditional and non-traditional families
• Demonstrated ability to observe, monitor, and evaluate individual progress toward established goals
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate complex programs and activities and ability to organize, schedule and monitor work assignments
• Ability to communicate effectively (orally and in writing) and demonstrate skills in decision-making, problem-solving, conflict resolution, interpersonal relationships, program management and planning
• Demonstrated ability to use and access a variety of media and technology to support job functions, but not limited to, proficient use of Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to analyze and monitor data is required
• Demonstrated ability to prepare and present presentations to a wide variety of audiences
• Demonstrated leadership qualities and personal characteristics necessary for working effectively with students, teachers, administrators, parents, and community members
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong computer skills with a working knowledge of Microsoft applications
• Excellent organization, planning, and human relation skills
• Ability to identify and work with community support agencies
• Ability to function in a work schedule flexible enough to accommodate some evening work hours
• Prior experience working in an educational, social service, or family support service environment
• Prior experience working with families of diverse cultures and economic backgrounds

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in Education, Social Work, Counseling or related field

Working Conditions and Physical Demands: The duties are primarily performed in an office environment, with no unusual physical demands. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.