Family and Community Engagement Specialist - Elementary

The Family and Community Engagement Specialist at Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools works to build partnerships with families and community organizations to enhance student engagement in education. Responsibilities include supporting systemic initiatives, collaborating with school teams, and conducting outreach programs. The role requires participation in evening and weekend activities, focusing on improving family engagement and advocacy within the educational system.
LOCATION: Elementary Schools

The Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) is a nationally recognized urban school district that serves approximately 22,000 students and 60+ different languages are spoken in the homes of our students. KCKPS is home to Sumner Academy, the #6 highest rated High School in the Nation and #1 High School in Kansas according to the US News rankings.

With Head Start/preschools, 28 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 5 college and career academies/high schools, we are the fifth largest district in the state of Kansas and our student population is approximately 51% Hispanic, 27% African American, 11% White, and 7% Asian. To serve our students, the district employs approximately 4,000 employees including more than 1,600 teachers.

JOB GOAL:

Specialists will work closely with family members and community organizations and resources to build a partnership that supports and engages them in the educational process for all students.

Family and Community Engagement Specialist (FACES) supports systemic engagement initiatives as determined by the Director of Family and Community Engagement while receiving on site supervision, and time/leave record/management from each Principal of the assigned one (1), two (2) or three (3) schools. The FACE specialist serves as a liaison that educates administrators, teachers and staff on how to communicate and work effectively and share power with parents as equal partners. The FACE specialist also advises and educates parents through specific research-based engagement strategies on 1) how to navigate the educational system; 2) building parent capacity so they can become better advocates for their children’s education; 3) how to access referrals to community-based services for families; 4) how to expand opportunities for continued learning, voluntary community service and civic participation; and 5) how to develop community collaborations. The FACE specialist's responsibilities require periodic participation and coordination of evening and weekend systemic activities within the school year.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily for systemic initiatives and for one (1), two (2) or three (3) school communities.
• Supports systemic initiatives as directed by the Director of Family and Community Engagement
• Collaborate with FACE teams aligned by high school clusters to implement a Community Hub model, building out services and resources that address the unique needs of students and families, strengthen family engagement, and expand access to essential supports across KCKPs
• Attend professional development and Professional Learning Community meetings as directed by the Family and Community Engagement leadership team
• Assists principal in establishing effective outreach and engagement programs and school-led workshops for parents to engage parents/families in improving student achievement while creating opportunities for parents who have limited English proficiency, a disability and/or are otherwise underrepresented to participate in education initiatives and enrichment workshops
• Collaborates with parents, staff, and the school's leadership team to develop a family-friendly school climate
• Empowers and encourages families to make use of all identified resources as it relates to school and student wellness and academic success
• Promotes parents as leaders in facilitating the development and maintenance of an effective parent leadership organization such as PTA/PTSA/PTO, etc.
• Maintains databases and reports to document all services and activities provided that support improved family and community engagement and outreach and use the data to evaluate the effectiveness of their parent/family/community outreach programs
• Work with the appropriate school staff (such as: administrator, teacher counselor, social worker and school nurse, etc.) to assess and support additional resources needed for student’s health concerns, and special family needs and services
• Establishes links and working relationships with appropriate service providers/community agencies
• Conduct home visits when needed with appropriate staff, to follow up on progress or make contacts when other means of communication/contact are lacking
• Collaborate with the school leadership team to evaluate and implement effective two-way communication between home and school so parents are made aware of and understand student learning, progress and supports available
• Participate actively in the school improvement process and be on the school improvement planning team
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:
• A minimum of 60 hours college experience
• Experience working with students and staff in an urban school setting
• Ability to work effectively with students, staff and parents from diverse background
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated knowledge of basic computer skills
• In-depth knowledge of the community, community-based agencies, community organizations and resources
• Ability to plan, organize and complete activities and/or programs
• Able to work some evenings, after hours and weekends as needed

COMMUNICATION

Maintains communication with teachers, other school personnel, and parents/guardians to enhance cooperative action which will meet the educational needs of students. Provides health services, information, and counseling in an effective and positive manner to enhance the health and wellness of the school community. Completes accident/incident reports for students/staff. Compiles data for statistical purposes. Maintains confidentiality regarding educational records.

ORGANIZATION

Maintains a daily log of school/staff visits and documentation. Maintains the daily environment of the health office facility and supplies. Utilizes existing technology effectively in the performance of duties. Performs other related work as required.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and analyze and interpret general professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, general curriculum and learning theories, correspondence, and protocols. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, staff, parents, students, and the general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, stand and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee must occasionally push items of 50 pounds such as pushing on a bike ore wheelchair, or moving/rearranging furniture. While performing the duties of the job the employee occasionally may visit a child’s home. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud and is a standard acceptable level for this environment. Is directly responsible for students’ safety, work output and well-being.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES : Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program; ability to plan and implement lessons based on division and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents and community; ability to speak clear and concisely in written or oral communication.

Terms of Employment: 186 Days

Salary: Level 7

Classified Salary Schedule

https://www.kckschools.org/hr/classified-salary-schedule-work-page

FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT

Report to: Director of Family and Community Engagement

Evaluation: Evaluation will be conducted in accordance with the procedures outlines by the USD #500 Board of Education

For more information regarding Title IX please contact:

District Compliance Coordinator

2010 N. 59 th Street

Kansas City, KS 66104

913-279-2262

Title IX@kckps.org