Program Assistant - Parent Engagement

Program Assistant
- Parent Engagement

Under the direction of the Area Director, the Program Assistant
- Parent Engagement position manages a wide range of projects and activities designed to implement an integrated, multi-faceted parent engagement service delivery system.

Examples of essential duties:

• Work with program staff to implement the policies/procedures and practices designed to ensure compliance with the HS Performance Standards and Head Start Act and meet the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the Family and Community Engagement Framework by integrating family engagement strategies into all systems and program services;
• Responsible for coordinating family engagement services to children and families enrolled in the Head Start and Early Head Start program options;
• Plan, develop, and deliver Family Engagement training for staff and parents;
• Collaborate with staff to promote parent engagement by helping to plan and implement parent meetings, workshops, parent conferences, training, and other activities that meet the needs and interests of families
• Plans and organizes family engagement outreach, programs, and activities;
• Evaluates and develops trainings/workshops to help parents/families participate more effectively in school readiness activities;
• Confers effectively with appropriate site personnel, parents and community agencies to increase parent engagement;
• Prepares materials for parent engagement activities;
• Attends and assists with Area Parent Advisory Committees;
• Participates in professional development opportunities;
• Keeps abreast of development and research in the professional area of Parent Engagement;
• Facilitates or leads parent engagement activities;
• Coordinates, monitors, and reports all program data related to Parent Engagement;
• Develop and implement annual leadership training for Head Start/Early Head Start parents; track and monitor parent training requests;
• Encourage and partner with Head Start parents as they become and/or remain actively engaged in Head Start activities;
• Orients parents in the philosophy, policies, and practices of parent engagement in the Head Start Program;
• Promotes and supports engagement of parents/guardians in Parent Committees and Policy Council;
• Coordinates with grantee Specialists in arranging for experts in diverse subject matter to provide workshops and training sessions;
• Provides staff assistance to help plan, implement, evaluate and report on program activities;
• Assists in the development and updating of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs);
• Update resource materials when needed;
• Assists in pre-service and in-service trainings;
• Designs family engagement activities to help families participate more effectively in improving their children's learning;
• Helps staff and families develop strong partnerships and enhance communications;
• Maintain records of work activity and the family engagement resource office;
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Desired minimum qualifications:

• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws and regulations applicable to the Head Start program and the assigned areas of responsibility and expertise;
• Head Start Program Performance Standards and Head Start Act;
• NHA goals, objectives, policies and procedures;
• Child development theories/strategies, community resources and adult learning concepts;
• Computer and related software programs;
• Ability to organize, set priorities and exercise sound independent judgment; interpret, apply, explain and reach sound decisions in accordance with program regulations, policies and procedures;
• Instruct and train individuals in a group setting and one-on-one;
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing; prepare clear, concise and accurate reports, correspondence and other written materials;
• Exercise tact, objectivity, sensitivity, strategy and judgment in dealing with volunteers, parents and staff;
• Develop and implement program plans, organize work activities around multiple assignments and follow up on assigned tasks;
• A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities is through attaining an Associate's Degree in Child Development or a closely related field or a minimum of three (3) years of increasingly…