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Family Engagement Liaison
Title: Family Engagement Liaison
Department: (Early Childhood)
Reports To: Social Services Coordinator
The School District of Philadelphia is committed to becoming the fastest improving District in the country and transforming the educational opportunities it offers to our city’s more than 200,000 students. The District seeks leaders who have a passion for working with schools and communities who are committed to ensuring all students achieve. Serving a population as diverse as ours requires creativity, commitment and vision. 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.
Early Childhood Specialty
• 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.
• Develops and implements effective family involvement strategies to empower families as key decision makers in schools and how to be advocates for their children.
• Responsible for classroom assignments and monitoring attendance.
• Develops volunteer activities at school sites and improves recruitment, enrollment and attendance by increasing parent attendance and participation.
• 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 children succeed.
• Assists in hosting parent meetings and attend community meetings off school site and in the local community and/or neighborhoods.
• Serves as a school-based intermediary contact and liaison between administrators and families for concerns and comments made by community members with the goal of finding a resolution.
• Conducts home visits with families to provide access to needed resources when necessary.
• Attends required collaboration meetings and training led by the administrator.
• Reports daily activities and goals to administration.
• 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.
All work experience related to the position must be included on the resume.
NOTE: An applicant who does not meet the minimum education or work experience requirements listed above may be considered if, at the sole discretion of the Talent Office, they have a unique combination of education and work experiences that indicates potential for success in this role.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Demonstrated knowledge of:
• communication skills and techniques.
• the economic and social problems experience by urban families.
• the functions and resources of community organizations and social service
agencies providing services to families and children in Philadelphia.
• office principles, practices and procedures.
• personal computer applications that are used to create reports and documents.
Early Childhood Specialty
Demonstrated ability to:
• work effectively with parents/guardians to address their specific concerns.
• work flexible hours including evenings and weekends, as initiative’s outreach events dictate.
• have reliable transportation as the position requires working in multiple school locations.
• employ tact, diplomacy and sound judgment in dealing with sensitive issues and
hostile attitudes.
• promote and encourage parental participation in PreK program wide and initiatives.
• promote and encourage parental participation in a variety of District-wide initiatives.
• understand and respect the diversity of families’ economic, linguistic and cultural backgrounds and situations.
• use appropriate technology and a variety of software applications in order to create reports, maintain records and provide data as needed.
• host parent meetings and attend community meetings off school site and in the local community and or neighborhoods.
• communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• 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.
Nondiscrimination
The School District of Philadelphia provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, disability, pregnancy, marital status, gender identity, or genetic information. Please refer to Board Policy 348 for further information regarding the District's commitment to Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices.