Family Engagement Specialist (Elementary School, Middle School, Specialized Schools) (Multiple [...]

Fort Worth ISD; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 27,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Fort Worth ISD seeks a Family Engagement Specialist to accelerate parent involvement and strengthen school/community partnerships. You will work with teachers, campus leaders, and families to promote student achievement and social-emotional growth.

Responsibilities include coordinating communication, supporting enrollment/attendance efforts, and hosting parent learning sessions using district tools and multiple channels.

Qualifications

• Accredited high school diploma required; associates degree preferred.
• 1 year in an educational setting with parent involvement coordination.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred in some settings.

Responsibilities

• Accelerates parent engagement to support student achievement and social emotional growth.
• Collaborates with teachers, campus administrators, and families to build partnerships.
• Uses data to track family participation in district and school events.
• Assists with enrollment, attendance, and family communications via multiple channels.
• Supports parent learning opportunities and information sessions on college/career readiness.

Skills

Parent engagement strategies

Social media awareness

Communication skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Interpersonal skills

Education

High School diploma

Associates degree preferred

Tools

Office software

Email & databases

Job description

Reports to: Principal and Director Parent Partnerships

Pay Grade: 603

Duty Days: 197

Salary Range: $26,792 - $32,276

FLSA Status: Non - Exempt

This is a grant-funded position and is contingent on availability of funds.

Position Purpose

Accelerates engaging parents in the critical efforts around student achievement by focusing on the whole school community, working with the teaching staff, campus administrators and families to build partnerships that support students academic achievement and social emotional growth. Helps to identify and address parent and related school/community issues in a timely manner. Supports campus enrollment and attendance efforts. Serves on campus/community organizations and committees that support parent engagement. Distributes and collects all Title I policy and parent compacts.

This position reports to the campus Principal and to Parent Partnerships Director to understand and address parent and school/community-related issues and respond to them in a timely manner. The Family Engagement Specialist also uses data to track family participation in all District, campus, and partner events, which should exceed Title I and other legally mandated activity.

Essential Job Functions

• Supports strategies for building relationships between parents and schools in order to increase parent involvement and empowerment.
• Assists teachers and staff in contacting parents daily, especially for academic support and attendance concerns.
• Helps create a technology-driven culture by educating families and partners regarding District opportunities and communication tools (such as Parent Portal, District App, Campus website, email, cell/text, and so forth).
• Facilitates ongoing parent learning opportunities, outreach, and information sessions that emphasize early education for college and/or career readiness.
• Coordinates with student support staff to utilize an effective referral process for assisting students and families in accessing school and community support programs and services.
• Assists with communication and interaction in all segments of the campus to provide increased opportunities for parent involvement in schools (such as email lists, campus websites, newsletters, and so forth); assists with maintaining current school social media posts/accounts.
• Communicates with campus Principal, and other campus staff to exceed Title I mandates: parent policy, parent notifications, parent compacts, meetings, and events.
• Supports and promotes special activities in the building that contribute to a positive and comprehensive school experience for the family and school community.

Safety

• Follows established safety procedures and techniques to perform job duties including lifting and climbing; operates tools and equipment according to established safety procedures.
• Corrects unsafe conditions in work area and promptly reports any conditions that are not immediately correctable to supervisor.

Personal Work Relationships

• All Fort Worth ISD employees must maintain a commitment to the Districts mission, vision, and strategic goals.
• Exhibits high professionalism, standards of conduct and work ethic.
• Demonstrates high quality customer service; builds rapport/relationship with the consumer.
• Demonstrates cultural competence in interactions with others; is respectful of co-workers; communicates and performs as a team player; promotes teamwork; responds and acts appropriately in confrontational situations.

Other Duties As Assigned

• Performs all job-related duties as assigned and in accordance with Board rules, policies and regulations. All employees are expected to comply with lawful directives in rare situations driven by need where a team effort is required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of parent engagement strategies and methodologies.
• Knowledge in the use of social media software to create and maintain informational posts.
• Knowledge of instructional methodology and effective school concepts.
• Knowledge of multicultural diversity issues in the work place.
• Knowledge of spelling, punctuation, syntax, grammar, and pronunciation of formal English.
• Knowledge of regional differences in word usage and idioms as well as cultural and attitudinal differences, customs, and social norms.
• Knowledge of resources to interpret/translate to and from English and languages represented in the District without altering the original meaning and intent.
• Skill in demonstrating multicultural experiences and experience with second language learners.
• Skill in interpersonal relationships, including using tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Ability to engage with families and parents in education and/or community issues to build support and participation.
• Ability to plan, coordinate/present workshops/seminars to parents, educators, and community.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both oral and written forms, with parents, staff, and community in a multi-ethnic educational environment.
• Ability to use software to access databases, email, create spreadsheets, and do word processing.
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work.

Travel Requirements

• Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.

Physical & Mental Demands, Work Hazards

• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment, including computer and peripherals.
• Posture: Prolonged sitting and standing; occasional stooping, squatting, kneeling, bending, pushing/pulling, and twisting.
• Motion: Frequent repetitive hand motions, including keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching; frequent walking and climbing stairs.
• Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds).
• Exerting: Frequent exertion up to 25 pounds to move objects; sometimes with the aid of a cart.
• Environment: Works in an office, school, or facility elsewhere in the community; regularly required to talk or hear; 90% indoors in a controlled environment; 10% outdoors exposed to weather elements, extreme heat/cold, noise and dust; noise level is usually low to moderate; may require occasional irregular and/or prolonged hours; may work evening or weekend shifts in order to effectively communicate and make appearances at Fort Worth schools and community facilities.
• Attendance: Regular and punctual attendance is required for this position; may require occasional irregular and/or prolonged hours, including evenings, nights, and weekends.
• Mental Demands: Maintains emotional control under stress; works with frequent interruptions; regularly required to speak publicly and listen intently to other points of view; may be required to work evenings and weekends.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Education:
  • Accredited High School diploma, GED, or Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency required;
  • Associates degree from accredited college or university preferred.
• Certification/License: None.
• Experience:
  • 1 year in an educational setting with parent involvement coordinating and facilitating communication with others required;
  • Presently or formerly a Fort Worth ISD parent preferred or 3 years campus or community service preferred.
• Language: Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred in some settings.

This is a grant-funded position and is contingent on availability of funds.

This document is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.