Program Specialist – Family Engagement

The Program Specialist for the Department of Family Engagement will provide programmatic, training, and data support to clusters and schools for their respective family engagement initiatives. This role is key in fulfilling the district’s vision as it relates to families engaging, student academic outcomes, and building community trust. The programmatic support will include the provision of targeted professional development and technical assistance to staff. Will be responsible for defining, evaluating, and analyzing the effectiveness of family engagement initiatives on student attitudes towards learning, academic success, attendance, and family participation. Will serve as liaison to internal and external stakeholders to include students, parents, and the APS Research and Evaluation Department.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Becomes an expert on defined and emerging APS Family Engagement strategic initiatives. Defines, evaluates, and analyzes the effectiveness of these initiatives.

Listens to, processes, and assesses school campus environments to ensure optimum use of family engagement strategies.

Ensures that school based administrators and staff have the capacity, skills, and training to foster effective parent and family engagement.

Creates and facilities a school based, Districtwide family engagement training system that is tailored to the needs of each school community.

Creates and defines tools and measures for program evaluation. This data gathering will include interfacing with parents, school campus staff, and community based organizations. With the support of the APS Research and Evaluation Department, creates tailored, relevant, and data driven stakeholder surveys for evaluation.

Creates and sustains a positive and collaborative environment for school based staff, parents, students, the community, and central office through relationship building.

Possess the ability to work with diverse populations and communities.

Bridges community resources to support school campus family engagement initiatives.

Creates high level and diverse reports that marks the progress of family engagement initiatives.

Remains updated on new family engagement practice models and research.

Has a working knowledge of Title I Parent Involvement work.

Updates and ensures school campus staff, parents, students of two way communication tools to foster consistency and trust.

Other duties as assigned by the appropriate supervisor.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Is able to assess and deliver the professional development needs of school campus staff.

Experience executing school/district level initiatives that involve multiple stakeholders and subject matter experts.

Deep applied knowledge of data systems common to educational settings (e.g. student information systems, student assessment data, etc.).

Must have excellent skills in Microsoft Office and presentation programs (PowerPoint, Prezi, etc.).

Possess strong analytical and interpersonal skills.

Works well independently and in a team setting.

Is an excellent problem solver and makes informed decisions.

Pays attention to detail and is organized.

Has excellent listening, verbal and written communications skills.

Requirements

EDUCATION:
Bachelor?s degree in related field required. Bachelor?s degree in Education preferred.

Master?s in Education, Counseling, Social Work, Human Services, or Public Administration also preferred.

CERTIFICATION/LICENSE:
Valid Georgia driver?s license and availability of private transportation, or the availability to get to off-site meetings.

Requires travel to school campuses and community based sites an average of three days per week.

WORK EXPERIENCE:
Minimum of 3 years relevant experience required.

Experience working with students, parents, and communities in or with an urban school district.

Compensation

SALARY GRADE: 126

SALARY RANGE : $51, 526 to $74, 069

WORK DAYS: 254 Days (Annual)

FLSA Status

Exempt

Employment Category

At-Will

Reports to:
Director of Family Engagement