Community & Parent Engagement Specialist

POSITION PURPOSE:  

Parent Engagement & Community Engagement Specialist serves as the liaison between school and parent, relaying the needs of one to the other; educates teachers and staff on how to communicate and work effectively with parents as equal partners; advises and trains parents on how to address issues with the leadership staff in school meetings; serves as a school-based intermediary contact for concerns and comments made by parents and community members; provides referrals to community-based services for families; expands opportunities for continued learning, voluntary community service and civic participation. The Parent Engagement & Community Engagement Specialist develops community collaborations; promotes sharing of power with parents and decision-makers; helps parents understand the educational system so they can become better advocates for their children’s education.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills
• Self-motivated who can work independently as well as part of a team
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Understands and respects the diversity of families’ economic, linguistic and cultural backgrounds and situations
• Ability to host parent meetings off school sites and in the local community and/or neighborhoods
• Strong understanding of student achievement data
• Ability to participate in trainings that require flying and overnight stays

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience with developing collaborative partners and building relationships with constituents in the community
• Experience serving as an advocate for children and parents
• Experience working in Title I schools

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Must hold a valid Teacher’s License issued by the state of NC in the applicable field and for the level assigned.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license issued by the NC Department of Motor Vehicles

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• National Board Certified
• Spanish Speaking

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assembles, compiles and distributes information pertinent to families such as community resource information, programs, legislation, strategies, etc. as requested.
• Maintains a variety of confidential and non-confidential lists and records for the purpose of documenting and /or providing reliable information.
• Communicates information and participates in a variety of meetings, workshops and committees
• Facilitate family participation in various activities: identify and encourage recruitment of parent volunteers; explain and assist in determining program eligibility; arrange parent activities including recruitment, training, and scheduling.
• Works with parents to update the district and school parent involvement policies and the school-parent compact on a yearly basis.
• Provides regular communication with parents and community members to apprise them of events and opportunities at the school.
• Assists site and District personnel to develop a positive school climate that welcomes parents and community members.
• Identifies and develops strategies to increase parent participation and community involvement in educational matters.
• Work with parents to evaluate trainings and workshops.
• Surveys parents district-wide to assess the effectiveness of parent involvement.
• Provide regular communication with parents to apprise them of events and opportunities at the school.
• Compiles materials and creates files for documentation of compliance with the Title 1 and LCAP parent involvement components.
• Plans and organizes meetings by setting meeting dates, coordinating participation, and preparing and distributing meeting materials.
• Plans and implements parent education/training program activities related to parents’ rights, advocacy and parent support designed to enhance parents’ involvement in student education.
• Facilitates related training activities, workshops and events by coordinating the development of presentations and arranging presenters, facilities, equipment and materials.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.