Parent Liaison

Job Title: Parent Liaison
Minimum Salary: $44,499 (Commensurate with experience)
Supervisor: Coordinator of Family Engagement
Job Classification: Exempt
Contract Length: 10-months (200 days)
Job Summary
The Parent Liaison is a school-based position responsible for building the capacity of schools
to authentically engage families. The Liaison’s primary role is to develop family engagement
systems and activities that create strong partnerships to support teaching, learning, student
achievement and school improvement. This position will work in conjunction with the principal
and school staff to create a welcoming environment that values parents/guardians as full
partners in the education and development of their children. The Liaison will serve as a bridge
between school and home in ways that build trustful relationships, foster understanding, and
relay the needs of the one to the other. As a member of the school staff, the Parent Liaison will
be responsible for achieving a set of benchmarks annually.
Essential Job Functions
? Promotes the Petersburg City Public Schools vision for family and student
engagement within the PCPS and greater Petersburg community.
? Conducts preliminary/annual assessment of family engagement structures and
activities that exist in the assigned school utilizing school climate survey results.
? Develops an individual work plan, with quantifiable deliverables, that detail the Liaison
role in the implementation of the schools’ goals and family/student engagement plan.
? Responds to concerns/issues raised by parents/guardians with empathy, and
effectively follows through to resolution, and to develop strategies for building the
capacity of parents to become more effective advocates for themselves and their
children.
? Develops families’ understanding and ability to navigate the larger PCPS system
including making referrals to school administration and other departments.
? Provides school-based, regional and community support and outreach to families
around school registration and transportation with support and guidance from the
Transportation Office and the Office of Student Support.
? Refers students and their families to internal school supports and/or outside agencies
(e.g. state agencies, medical professionals, counselors, foundations, non-profit
organizations, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the need of students and families are
met
? Supports the school develop a plan that ensures consistent, effective, timely, and
accessible communication with families in a variety of ways including the home
languages of families.
? Collects, maintains and reports accurate data to document outcomes and impact of
family engagement activities at the school level, using an electronic database.
? Provides support for the recruitment and retention of parents/guardians to the
PTA/PTO while engaging and developing parent leadership in decision-making
processes.
? Organizes family engagement events and workshops that address areas of interest
and need for families such as: understanding the school report card, child
development, school policies, effective parent-teacher conferences, bullying, college
and career readiness, parenting skills, understanding the curriculum, effective
advocacy.
? Provides coordination and technical assistance to ensure that parent involvement
requirements are met; compiles materials and creates files to document compliance.
? Manages outreach to families and students at risk of chronic absenteeism.
? Ensures that every student is enrolled in a summer program including tracking
progress and providing program and opportunity information to parents/guardians.
? Ensures that families understand their rights including retention and discipline.
? Works with the school social worker, counselors, and nurse to coordinate supports for
students and families.
? Participates in regular professional development as directed by the district to improve
skills and gain knowledge about family engagement research and best practice.
Job Specifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required)
? Excellent verbal and written communication skills
? Deep knowledge of the functions and resources of community organizations and social
service agencies providing services to families and children in Petersburg or surrounding
communities.
?Proficient verbal and written communication skills in dominant home language of the families
of the desired school (see attached list of schools with languages)
? Ability to take independent initiative, while committing to collaboration
? Ability to work a flexible schedule including early mornings, evenings, and weekends based
on school, family, and district needs
? Ability to employ tact, diplomacy, and sound judgement in dealing with sensitive issues
and challenging situations
? Strong organizational skills
? Proficient in the Microsoft Office suite
? Ability to leverage (and when needed learn) technology and software applications to
create reports, maintain records, and provide data
? Ability to create and maintain strong community collaborations
? Some experience in developing and/or leading interactive workshops and
trainings
? Willingness to learn and apply new skills and content
? Demonstrated cultural proficiency and ability to lead others in conversations of race and
culture.
? Deep knowledge and understanding of, and demonstrated ability to connect with the ethnic
background of students and families served.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:High School Diploma or GED, Forty-eight (48) Credit Hours of College
Coursework or an Associate's Degree
Experience: A minimum of 3 years of experience working with diverse families and in an
urban setting and knowledge of their needs
Certification and License: Virginia Postgraduate Professional License or eligibility for
Virginia licensure is required.
Working Conditions and Physical Demands
The duties are primarily performed in an office environment, with no unusual physical
demands. The physical requirements described are representative of those necessary to
perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to
enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.