FAMILY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST

Location: Chester County

Salary: $15.12-$17.00 (commensurate with experience)

Benefits include: State of TN Health Insurance, State of Tennessee Retirement,

State paid holidays, Dental/Vision, Life/LTD, Paid Time Off

Work Schedule: 8:00 am-4:30 pm, 5 days per week, 45 weeks/75 hours bi-weekly

Key Responsibilities:

1. Fatherhood Engagement:
• Promote father engagement through activities like Focus on Fathers Days and Read Across America Day, encouraging male participation in literacy and program activities.
• Create and maintain a spreadsheet to track Fatherhood engagement in events such as Family Fun Nights, field trips, and classroom activities.
2. Parent Materials Preparation:
• Assist in preparing materials, supplies, and folders for parent packets, teacher boxes, registration boxes, and parent committee boxes.
3. Organizing Parent Committee Meetings:
• Assist in organizing and coordinating monthly parent committee trainings and parent day activities.
• Facilitate parent committee meetings as needed, during various hours (day or night), and keep track of these activities in spreadsheets.
4. Adult Literacy Tracking:
• Track adult literacy activities, ensuring parents are referred to GED/ABE services, vocational training, college enrollment, and library services.
• Be responsible for maintaining records of literacy and transition activities for children and families.
5. Program Orientation:
• Assist in orienting parent committees, officers, and staff on program governance, Head Start policies, and Performance Standards.
6. Schedule and Roster Maintenance:
• Maintain up-to-date schedules for parent meetings and Policy Council rosters.
7. Parent Involvement and Volunteering:
• Work closely with Family Advocates and center staff to encourage parent participation as classroom volunteers and observers.
• Provide volunteer training as needed, and maintain a list of volunteers for recognition at the end of the program year.
8. Community Engagement:
• Be knowledgeable of community resources in the seven-county area to assist families with their needs.
• Serve on community committees and boards to enhance services to Head Start children and families.
• Establish collaborative relationships with community agencies to enhance services for children and families.
9. Parent Communication and Reports:
• Collect and track reports from monthly parent committee meetings, ensuring all information is scanned and kept up to date.
• Collaborate with Family Advocates and parent committee reporters to ensure monthly newsletters are posted at centers.
10. Collaboration and Partnerships:
• Draft and maintain compliance with collaborative agreements with regional LEAs for transitions and various agencies that provide literacy services.
• Coordinate partnerships with organizations like WLJT-TV, and work with the Family Services Manager to set up parent trainings and encourage participation.
11. Reporting and Administrative Duties:
• Submit monthly reports as requested to the Head Start Director and Managers.
• Perform other related duties as requested.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• Education:
• Graduation from an accredited four-year high school or GED program is required.
• An Associate's Degree (AA) in Social Work, Early Childhood Education, Social Services, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience and Skills:
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to multi-task and accurately handle detailed, confidential information.
• Ability to form basic partnership agreements.
• Strong written, verbal, and computer skills for providing parent and staff trainings.

Applications will be accepted until October 29, 2025, or until filled.

Southwest is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.