Family Engagement Specialist

Family Engagement Specialist

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports To: Director of Elementary Education

Supervises: None

Employment Terms: 10.5-Month Full-time Position (210 Contracted Days)

Grade: Teacher Scale (funded by Title I)

Position Summary


The Family Engagement Specialist partners with school staff, parents/caregivers, and community members in Title I schools to provide ongoing educational opportunities to support positive literacy outcomes; builds capacity in parents/caregivers to be actively engaged in their child's literacy progress which allows them to make well-informed decisions for their children.

Qualification Requirements


To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential function. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Essential Functions

1. Supports the Division Literacy Plan by collaborating with Title I school staff to plan quarterly literacy events.
2. Assists with communicating Dinwiddie County Public Schools' Literacy Plan, initiatives, events, and resources for families.
3. Assists with conducting literacy assemblies for parents/caregivers during each Title I school's Open House event.
4. Plans and implements Title I division-wide engaging literacy-centered events for parents/caregivers.
5. Assists with planning and implementing division-wide quarterly literacy nights (to be held at each Title I school).
6. Expand community partnerships around literacy development.
7. Plans and organizes regularly scheduled literacy-focused family support service workshops.
8. Builds one-on-one relationships with students, parents/caregivers, staff, and appropriate community change agents as necessary to establish collaborative partnerships designed to meet individual student and family needs.
9. Supports the Title I strategic family and community engagement plan.
10. Assists with the ongoing Title I Needs Assessment and uses parent input to drive monthly literacy workshops/events for families.
11. Assists with constructing Title I Schoolwide plans with ongoing stakeholder collaboration.
12. Assists with the Title I Parent Advisory Council at the school and division level.
13. Provides literacy tools and strategies during Title I Parent Advisory Council meetings to help parents and caregivers support their child's literacy development.
14. Utilizes division platforms, data, programs, and initiatives to offer prescriptive literacy resources for families.
15. Works with division leaders to maintain all records and documentation following state and federal mandates.
16. Perform other tasks and assume such responsibilities or special projects as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Thorough knowledge of literacy practices, methods, and techniques.
2. Thorough knowledge of The Virginia Literacy Act and the Division Literacy Plan.
3. Thorough knowledge of School Board policies and procedures.
4. Skill in using personal computers and related software packages, hardware and peripheral equipment.
5. Must have the ability to report to work on a regular and punctual basis.
6. Ability to communicate complex ideas effectively in both oral and written formats.
7. Ability to motivate others to reach their fullest potential.
8. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, the School Board, elected officials, parents/caregivers, students, and the general public.

Qualifications, Education, and Experience

1. Must hold a valid Virginia teaching license with an endorsement in elementary education, special education, or school counseling. Advanced degree preferred.
2. At least three years of successful or related teaching experience.
3. Experience in literacy, Title I federal programming, compliance, and family engagement.
4. Strong organizational and communication skills.
5. Experience working with educational and family support services.
6. Experience working with families of diverse cultures and economic backgrounds.
7. Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
8. Must be familiar with the community and support agencies.
9. Flexible hours to accommodate parent work hours and schedules.
10. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

Physical Requirements

1. This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force.
2. Work regularly requires speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions, frequently requires standing, walking and sitting and occasionally requires stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and lifting.
3. Work has standard vision requirements.
4. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas through the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
5. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels, receive detailed information through oral communications, and make fine distinctions in sound.
6. Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
7. Must be mobile enough to monitor students in all instructional settings (in school, virtually, or in related school environments).
8. Work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions and bloodborne pathogens. Workers may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment.
9. Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Special Requirements

1. Possession of or ability to acquire appropriate license(s), certificate(s), and/or endorsement(s) for the position as required by the Commonwealth of Virginia or School Board.
2. You must have a valid driver's license in the Commonwealth of Virginia to operate division-owned/leased motor vehicles. Your driving record will be subject to periodic review and must be acceptable in accordance with the provisions of the Dinwiddie County School Board's policy manual.
3. All candidates must successfully undergo the following pre-employment screenings:

1. Tuberculosis Screening
2. Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigation
3. State Police Criminal History Investigation
4. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)/National Criminal History Investigative Search

Evaluation


Performance of this position will be evaluated following the provisions of the Dinwiddie County School Board's policy


manual.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement


As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Dinwiddie County Public Schools does not discriminate against applicants based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, marital status, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.


We will recruit and select applicants for employment solely based on their qualifications. Our guidelines and practices, including those relating to wages, benefits, transfers, promotions, terminations, and self-development opportunities, will also be administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex/sexual orientation, gender/gender identity, age, marital status, genetic information, national origin, ancestry, political affiliation, disability, protected veteran status and all other classes protected by the Federal and State Law. Dinwiddie County Public Schools is a Drug & Alcohol Free Workplace.