Family Engagement Liaison, School District of Philadelphia

Posted by School District of Philadelphia on August 22, 2016

Reports To: Administrative Superior
The School District of Philadelphia is the cornerstone provider of public education in Philadelphia. For forward-thinking administrators and educators, opportunities abound. The 130,000 students entrusted to the District arrive at school every day with an extraordinary range of needs and aspirations. We are committed to delivering on their right to an excellent public school education, and we are particularly focused on ensuring every student has access to exceptional educational opportunities. Equity is our mandate. Will you join us?

Job Summary
Serves as the liaison between school and parents, relaying the needs of one to the other. Provides opportunities to develop effective family-school partnerships to support student achievement and school improvement. Assists parents with understanding the school system so they can become better advocates for their children’s education.   Expands opportunities for continued learning, voluntary classroom service and school participation. Advises and trains parents on how to address issues with teachers and the school leadership staff. Provides referrals for community-based services for families dealing with conditions that impact the academic achievement of their students. Develops community collaborations and promotes sharing of power with parents as decision-makers.

• Essential Functions
• Responds to concerns/issues raised by parents/guardians with empathy, dispatch and effectiveness; helps the school community develop a family-friendly school climate amongst staff, students and families.
• Develops programs and activities designed to engage families in improving student achievement.
• Prepares monthly family engagement action plans to reach and engage all families in the school community and maintain records on program activities; organizes family engagement events and parent information nights/workshops that support the implementation of Family University sessions on topics such as: Common Core
• Curriculum Standards, school report cards, the Parent Right to Know Clause, response to concerns policy, child development, parenting skills, school policies, homework help, reading, writing, math, standardized testing, school safety, bullying, college and career readiness, etc.
• Develops and implements effective family involvement strategies to empower families as key decision makers in schools and how to be advocates for their children.
• Provides coordination and technical assistance to ensure that Title I, Part A parent involvement regulations are met under this section of the law, to include annual Title I meeting, development of the written parental involvement policy, and school-parent compact; compiles materials and creates files for documentation of compliance with the Title I parent involvement components.
• Develops volunteer activities at school site and improves recruitment, training, work, and schedules to involve families as volunteers to support internal and external District
  initiatives by increasing parent attendance and participation, including coordinating family leaders, room parents, parent-teacher conferences, parent roundtables,
  community meetings, school advisory council meetings, Family University, and the use of the Translations and Interpretation Center.
• Prepares and disseminates school newsletter and other school communication; reaches out to families through mailings, phone calls, and face-to-face meetings in an effort to inform families about ways in which they can help their students succeed.
• Assists with the development, coordination and implementation of school advisory councils; attends selected meetings of school advisory councils to observe compliance with program guidelines, to provide assistance in the conduct of meetings, and to serve as an informational resource; requests and maintains documentation of meetings; serves as a member of compliance review teams.
• Serves as a school-based intermediary contact and liaison between administrators and families for concerns and comments made by community members with goal of finding a resolution.
• Conducts home visits with families to provide access to needed resources when necessary.
• Works flexible hours in order to meet the needs of parents, including early mornings, evenings and weekends.
• Works two weeks in August for training and school opening support, not to exceed 20 hours per week.
• Attends required bi-weekly collaboration meetings and trainings led by central office.
• Reports weekly activities and goals to school staff and administrator.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the appropriate administrator.
• Minimum Requirements
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Three years of full-time, paid experience in social services or a related field that has included working with parents, schools and children or community organizations.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Demonstrated knowledge of:
  o communication skills and techniques.
  o the economic and social problems experience by urban families.
  o the functions and resources of community organizations and social service agencies providing services to families and children in Philadelphia.
  o office principles, practices and procedures.
  o personal computer applications that are used to create reports and documents.
• Demonstrated ability to:
  o work effectively with parents/guardians to address their specific concerns.
  o work flexible hours including evenings and weekends, as initiative’s outreach events dictate.
  o have reliable transportation as the position requires working in multiple school locations.
  o employ tact, diplomacy and sound judgment in dealing with sensitive issues and hostile attitudes.
  o promote and encourage parental participation in a variety of District-wide initiatives.
  o understand and respect the o use appropriate technology and a variety of software applications in order to create reports, maintain records and provide data as needed.
  o host parent meetings and attend community meetings off school site and in the local community and or neighborhoods.
  o communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
  o establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

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