Executive Director of Family and Community Engagement

Job Description

The Executive Director of Family and Community Engagement is responsible for innovating, implementing and maintaining strategies, systems, and structures that help students to become fully equipped to engage constructively as academic achievers in school and as citizens in our community. The Executive Director is responsible for the overall management and direction of student and family support services across various departments and programs. The Executive Director is responsible for ensuring that all Youth Development and Family Services activities are consistent with the district's mission and vision as well as the Board of Education's and Superintendent's goals. The Executive Director is also responsible for ensuring that essential policies and procedures are in place to enable transparency and accountability across all service, program and fiscal activities within each department. He/she represents the district on key committees, task forces and coalitions that foster constructive student and family engagement in our schools and community.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• Supervises departmental staff responsible for youth development and family services functions, setting performance standards and objectives, providing proper training and professional development opportunities, evaluating performance, and other duties as required.
• Directs and facilitates the departmental goals in the planning, implementation and evaluation of Youth Development and Family Services programs and services.
• Provides leadership to all Family and Community Services in the utilization of best practices, research based strategies, and the innovation of new strategies and programs.

Family and Community Engagement

• Becomes well versed in key areas of parent and family concerns around student engagement, well-being, and development and ensure that the Office of Parent and Community Involvement develops strong relationships with school leaders to implement solutions in a timely fashion.
• Engages the Office of Family and Community Involvement, schools leaders, and community partners in on-going dialogue to develop solutions to challenges around parent engagement, communication, access to information; ensure the Office of Family and Community Involvement executes solutions.
• Works closely with senior Cabinet members to address obstacles to family and parent engagement and initiate district-wide, cross-department solutions.
• Guides and directs the Office of Family and Community Engagement to:
  
  • Develop, maintain, and evaluate partnerships with community organizations that provide services or other resources that support parent and family engagement in schools.
  • Create and grow opportunities for youth, families, and the community to provide input in the planning and delivery of services that will enhance their success.
  • Coordinate and collaborate with community agencies to ensure that partnerships are developed to provide essential support services to students and families.
• Supervises the development and implementation of community agency networking, service delivery collaborations and community relations.
• Maintains ongoing contact with community organizations that are involved with providing services to support the school's educational program.
• Ensures regular evaluation of programs, services, and initiatives to inform continuous improvement efforts.
• Implement systems and structures that invite, enable, and empower parents and families to easily communicate with schools, access information, participate in events, and make informed decisions and choices that help support their children's success in school and society.
• Establish, maintain, evaluate and continuously improve partnerships with the community including community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, businesses, agencies and other partners that support youth development and parent and family engagement.
• Organizes regular staff meetings to solicit input for the continuous improvement of departmental goals and objectives that are aligned with the Superintendent's objectives.
• Updates the Deputy Superintendent regularly on division activities, emerging issues, and provides data driven recommendations and information to inform solution development.
• Collaborates with other key departments within the District to promote departmental objectives including the Grants Department, Office of Accountability and Management Information Systems.

Policy & Operations

• Coordinates and facilitates communications with federal, state, county and local agencies and stakeholders of the district promoting effective school/community relations.
• Supports the Superintendent and Cabinet in the development of Youth Development and Family Services policies
• Applies, recommends, and implements data-driven and technology concepts to improve the operational efficiency and effectiveness of each department.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• Proven knowledge and demonstrated competencies in administration and management in an educational or related setting.
• Knowledge and understanding of youth development and family support systems, parent and community involvement.
• Proficiency in budget development, grants and fiscal management.
• Knowledge and competencies in the design, development, implementation and assessment of service delivery programs.
• Comprehensive knowledge of local, state and federal legislation, regulations and systems affecting youth and family services and student support services.
• Proven expertise in conflict prevention and resolution.
• Demonstrated initiative, creativity and vision.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree / Master's Degree in Education, Public Administration, Counseling, Psychology, Social Work or related field
• Five (5) to Seven (7) years of experience in developing and managing youth development programs.
• New York State School District Leader or School District Administrator Certification required.

About Us

The Rochester City School District (RCSD) is at the heart of Rochester, New York-a city known for its rich history, cultural vibrancy, and strong sense of community. Nestled in the Finger Lakes region, Rochester offers the best of both worlds: a welcoming, mid-sized city with easy access to major destinations. We are a short drive from Buffalo, Syracuse, and the breathtaking Niagara Falls, with Toronto and New York City just a few hours away. Residents enjoy world-class attractions such as the Eastman Museum, the Strong National Museum of Play, and the scenic shores of Lake Ontario.

RCSD serves nearly 23,000 students across 48 PreK sites and 39 schools, reflecting the diversity and spirit of our community. With a deep commitment to equity, academic excellence, and student empowerment, we offer a range of specialized programs, including bilingual education, alternative learning pathways, and innovative college and career readiness initiatives.

We are driven by a mission to cultivate a culture of academic excellence, empathy, and accountability, ensuring every student is prepared for success beyond graduation. Led by a dedicated team of educators and staff, we embrace forward-thinking strategies to inspire critical thinking, creativity, and lifelong learning.

Join us in activating dreams and unlocking potential-because in Rochester, we're building brighter futures together.