] Office of Human Resources - Montgomery County Public Schools

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT → CLASSIFICATION → FAMILY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST, OFFICE OF FAMILY ENGAGEMENT, SCHOOLS-EFFECTIVE 7/1/25

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Family Engagement Specialist, Office of Family Engagement, Schools-Effective 7/1/25

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLASS DESCRIPTION
OFFICIAL TITLE: Parent Community Coordinatr CODE: 6515 SQ/OQ: Optimal Qualified
WORKING TITLE: Family Engagement Specialist, Office of Family Engagement, Schools-Effective 7/1/25 GRADE: 22 MONTHS: 12
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION; PHYSICAL DEMANDS; AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION: Under direction of the principal and Division of Family and Community Engagement, the Family Engagement Specialist (FES) collaboratively leads the development, planning, and implementation of parent/guardian and family engagement efforts that promote a culture of respect and value for all families in the educational process. In collaboration with school administrators, teachers, staff, and stakeholders, the FES provides extensive, ongoing guidance, services and resources by proactively engaging families and responding to critical needs impacting academic achievement and well-being of students. The FES works in collaboration with school staff to assess and identify educational, social, behavioral, and cultural needs of students and their families that can be met using school, community, or other resources. The FES is engaged in collaborative problem-solving and participates in coordinated student service team meetings in order to meet the education and social-emotional needs of students and families experiencing language, cultural, and economic barriers by serving as a home-school liaison. Collaborates with school teams to plan and conduct parent/guardian engagement activities that promote student learning and help to build a positive and welcoming school climate, including specific parent/guardian groups. Contributes to an understanding of diverse cultures to enhance cultural proficiency of school staff members. The FES delivers trainings and presentations to school-based staff and administrators. Work of this class is independent and requires proactive, ongoing engagement of students and families. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (Special requirements such as lifting heavy objects and frequent climbing.) None SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: (Frequent overtime or night work required, etc.) Availability for evening and occasional weekends for school and school system meetings and events, as well as for home visits and telephone calls related to supporting families.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS ABILITIES: KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of best practices in family engagement to support student learning and the ability to use and model them. Knowledge of culturally relevant approaches in communication and effective outreach. Knowledge of how current events impact families. Ability to resolve complex issues independently and collaboratively. Demonstrated ability to effectively manage the level of support, resources and guidance necessary to assist with critical issues and needs; ability to plan and implement parent/guardian and community engagement efforts that address the cultural and language barriers experienced by families to support the academic achievement and social and emotional learning of all students, with a focus on those from diverse backgrounds. Knowledge of the school system, its policies, regulations, and procedures, and its programs and resources such as Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE), English Language Development (ELD) and special education. Knowledge of community resources to support families in need. Ability to work collaboratively with staff, parents/guardians, and parent and community organizations. Skill in organizing and working with diverse parent/guardian groups. Highly skilled in effective communication; decision/making and problem solving; and advocacy. Fluency in a second language desirable. Ability to collaborate to problem solve and serve as an advocate in the best interest of students and families. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Knowledge of and the ability to meet the seven core competencies of the Supporting Services Professional Growth System (SSPGS).
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE; CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s degree required. Coursework in education, family studies, counseling, social work, or communications desirable. Experience with crisis intervention techniques and procedures and considerable experience working directly with families from other cultures required. Experience creating training materials and delivering training and presentations. Experience with school and community activities and programs, preferably in a leadership role. Bilingual and bicultural work experience desirable. Other combinations of appropriate education, training, and experience that provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Current valid driver’s license required.
OVERTIME ELIGIBLE: Yes

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Note: (Incumbents may perform any combination of the essential functions shown below. This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or ability associated with this classification, but is intended to accurately reflect the principal\ job elements.)Develops and implements outreach strategies to engage students, parents and the community in order to build relationships, facilitate ongoing communication, support, services and resources; responds promptly to provide support and appropriate referrals to content experts, to parents in crisis or challenging situations in critical areas impacting safety and well-being, such as: immigration; language barriers/acculturation; human trafficking; abuse, neglect; gang membership, activities and victimization; drugs, violence and other safety issues. Using a strategic targeted approach, assesses and monitors families’ needs on an ongoing basis.Maintains relevant training and knowledge of current issues impacting the MCPS community, related laws, policy and trauma-informed practices.Facilitates trainings and presentations to school and school-based staff and administrators.Facilitates communication and meetings between school staff members and parents/guardians, with special attention to parents/guardians who may face language, cultural, or socio-economic barriers.Participates in regular professional learning meetings and data chats around family engagement best practicesAttends Individualized Education Program, Educational Management Team, Collaborative Problem Solving, and other meetings with parents/guardians to help them navigate the process, as needed.Informs school administrators and designated school staff members about the needs of individuals or groups of parents/guardians.Participates in school-based team collaborative student services team meetings such as student well-being teams.Provides orientation services for families of newcomer students. Maintains communication and support, providing families with needed services, resources and guidance.Assists parents/guardians in such matters as procedures for exploring special school programs for their children, including choice and magnet programs, understanding Montgomery County Board policies and MCPS regulations and procedures, students and parents/guardians rights and responsibilities, due process rights, SLIFE, ELD, and special education services availability of school system and community programs and assistance.Supports interventions to address school attendance issues in conjunction with the Pupil Personnel Worker (PPW) and other staff.Encourages and promotes parent/guardian participation in student and school activities, with special attention to those parents/guardians who are traditionally underrepresented to support improved student academic performance and social and emotional learning.Serves as an advocate and liaison for parents/guardians within the school and the school system, with special attention to those parents/guardians who are traditionally underrepresented.Works to create a welcoming and supportive environment for parents in the school, building trust and relationships, with special attention to those parents/guardians who may face language, cultural, or socioeconomic barriers.Assists schools with requesting interpretation and translation for parents/guardians.Serves as a member of school-based teams such as the instructional leadership team to infuse family engagement best practices, initiating, recommending, and implementing a variety of strategies to engage and involve parents/guardians in the life of the school.Plans and facilitates parent/guardian meetings and workshops in collaboration with staff at the school, to address a variety of topics, including the curriculum and student learning expectations.Provides parents/guardians tips and strategies to support at-home learning, with a special focus on our most marginalized families.Works in close collaboration with other school-based groups that provide parent/guardian and student support, including Linkages to Learning.Collects, analyzes, and utilizes data for continuous improvement.Conducts professional learning and training for school staff members related to effective parent/guardian engagement and cultural responsiveness, with special attention to bridging language and cultural barriers.Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.

This description may be changed at any time.