Position Summary: The New York City Department of Education (DOE) is dedicated to creating and supporting partnerships among schools, families, and the community. As a central resource for family engagement, the Office of Family and Community Empowerment (FACE) strives to involve and inform parent leaders as essential partners in helping students achieve college and career readiness. FACE will develop and implement new strategies to strengthen the DOE’s efforts to engage and support public school parents and families throughout New York City.
The Parent Leader Specialist will provide support to parent leaders and parent leadership structures. The Parent Leader Specialist will lead professional development sessions for Superintendents, Principals, Teachers, parents/parent leaders, coordinate community-based meetings, and provide technical support to assist parent leadership structures during meetings and other activities. Each Specialist will work with parent leadership structures to ensure effective communication to/from DOE’s central offices. Performs related work.
Reports to: Program Director
Direct Reports: N/A
Key Relationships: The Division of Family and Community Engagement and External Affairs, Education Councils, Presidents’ Council, PA/PTAs, School Leadership Teams (SLTs), and community-based organizations (CBOs).
ResponsibilitiesThe Parent Leader Specialist may be assigned to one of the areas below:
Home School Partnership Specialist

• Support the Home School Partnership Team Director/Lead and fellow Home School Partnership Specialist staff in the development of strategic priorities, program calendars, materials, and toolkits.
• Work with Superintendents, District Staff, Principals and teachers to implement family engagement structures and strategies.
• Assist the Director for Home School Partnerships in the development of strategy and curriculum to engage and support public school parents and families throughout New York City.
• Collaborate with district and school leaders to implement comprehensive family engagement plans that include multiple ways for families to become involved in the school, families taking responsibility for carrying out various components of the plan, and supporting others through leadership development and training.
• Develop and continually improve family engagement initiatives and programs that reduce barriers and shift mindsets.
• Train district and school leadership in how to welcome and activate family expertise in schools through our customized family engagement framework.
• Help schools structure events with families and communities to elicit full and meaningful parent and community participation.
• Work with a broader set of schools and district level staff to build capacity for more effective family outreach and for building stronger parent participation in schools and in school decision-making processes.
• Advise other NYC DOE Central Offices on best practices to incorporate family expertise and engage families in NYC DOE Central policies, resources, and programs.
• Build strong working relationships with district and central staff.
• Assist in the collection, recording, and maintaining of data/information, and assist in the drafting of briefings related to the status of parent empowerment in assigned districts/schools.
• Oversee implementation of digital strategies and tools (websites, peer-to-peer texting, social media, etc.) to expand and deepen family engagement.

Parent Mentorship Specialist

• Support the Parent Mentorship Director/Lead and fellow Parent Mentorship Specialist staff in the development of strategic priorities, program calendars, materials, and toolkits.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of best practices, tools, and technology in the field of outreach, organizing, and family engagement.
• Work with Parent Coordinators, and Family Support Coordinators (where applicable), and key members of school staff in supporting them in developing their inner strengths and life skills. Build involvement in assigned schools.
• Work with schools to hold school- and district-level family information and training sessions.
• Oversee implementation of digital strategies and tools (websites, peer-to-peer texting, social media, etc.) to expand and deepen family engagement.
• Assist in the development and presentation of training curricula for a variety of family engagement stakeholders, aligned with strategic plans.
• Support the Director in all family empowerment work, including attendance at school and/or district-based meetings.
• Assist in the collection, recording and maintaining of data/information, and drafting of briefings related to the status of parent empowerment in assigned districts/schools.
• Oversee data management and produce relevant daily, weekly, and monthly reports for Director and internal/external offices.

Governance Specialist

• Support the Governance Director/Lead and fellow Governance Specialist staff in the development of strategic priorities, program calendars, materials, and toolkits.
• Develop and coordinate Professional Development to Family Leadership Coordinators (FLC) to increase awareness and understanding supports needed to assist the Education Councils and the Presidents’ Councils.
• Coordinate logistics and prepare briefings for meetings and public appearances.
• Develop and implement programs for supporting the Education Councils and the Presidents’ Council in carrying out their legal responsibilities. Serve as advisors for regulatory compliance.
• Provide technical assistance and Professional Development to the Family Leadership Coordinators to help provide support to assigned Education Councils and their Administrative Assistants, including mediation.
• Support the Director in researching, developing, coordinating, and providing training and professional development programs to support the Education Councils and the Presidents’ Councils.
• Gather, analyze, and share parent, community and council member feedback with DOE staff pertaining to council-related initiatives.
• Conduct complex, qualitative and quantitative analysis to support and inform the FLC’s effective implementation of the Education Council and Presidents’ Councils Initiative, including gathering information on current practices related to community outreach and educational planning.
• Facilitate and support the Office of Family and Community Empowerment (FACE) priorities regarding the school community.
• Support in all family empowerment work, including attendance at school and/or district-based parent leadership meetings.
• Assist in the collection, recording, and maintaining of data/information, and assist in the drafting of briefings related to the status of parent empowerment.
• Oversee the implementation of digital strategies and tools (websites, peer-to-peer texting, social media, etc.) to expand and deepen family engagement.

Community Partnerships Specialist

• Support the Community Partnership Team Director/Lead and fellow Community Partnership Specialist staff in the development of strategic priorities, program calendars, materials, and toolkits.
• Work with Community Based Organizations, Advocacy Groups, External City Agencies and central DOE offices Directors (where applicable), and key members of school staff to creating and supporting partnerships among schools, families, and the community.
• The Community Partnerships Team will help to coordinate community-based meetings and provide support to ensure effective communication to/from DOE’s central offices. Work with schools to develop and systematize comprehensive, effective direct outreach methods.
• Work closely with existing and developing partners to ensure resources and services are responsive to the needs of children and families in the educational system and to maximize efficiency of the services in communities across NYC (New York City).
• Work closely with advocates, NGO’s, CBO’s, Public/Private partners, and internal and external agencies to steer policy and planning for strategic partnerships, with the goal of creating transparent, responsive service delivery mechanism in line with the agency’s mission and commitments with varying levels of intensity along the service continuum.
• Represent the Agency with advocates, NGO’s, CBO’s, Public/Private partners, and internal and external agencies regarding partnerships, collaborations, and policies to support current agency mission.
• Work with advocates, NGO’s, CBO’s, Public/Private partners, and internal and external agencies to share best practices and learn from their experiences.
• Work in collaboration with all DOE Divisions to develop and implement new service models that address the needs of specific high need populations.
• Create and maintain multiple databases that capture the DOE’s activities in community outreach and developed partnerships.
• Preparing comprehensive reports and maintaining records.
• Assist in the collection, recording, and maintaining of data/information, and assist in the drafting of briefings related to Community Partnerships.
• Provide regular updates to supervisory staff.

Qualification RequirementsMinimum

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two (2) years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or
• High school graduation or equivalent and six (6) years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or
• Education and/or experience which is equivalent to “1” or “2” above. However, all candidates must have at least one (1) year of experience as described in “1” above.

Preferred

• Familiarity with the New York City public school system.
• Ability to function and meet aggressive deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working on community relations and parent issues in education or related fields.
• Strong logistical and long-term planning experience.
• Experience in formulating and executing field mobilization and participation plans for specific goals and audiences.
• Advocacy, complaint resolution, customer service, or other problem-solving experience.
• Excellent communication, writing, interpersonal, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Bilingual (Spanish).
• Strong Microsoft Office skills in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Salary$60,733 (New Hire Rate)
$69,844 - $94,279 (Incumbent - 2 years of full-time continuous City service)
(Internal candidates who are selected for this position and who currently hold comparable or less senior positions within the DOE will not earn less than their current salary.)
Please include a resume and cover letter with your application.NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to budget availability and/or grant funding.

• New York City Residency is NOT Required *

We encourage all applicants from the New York City tri-state area to apply.AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERDOE Non- Discrimination PolicyThe Department of Education of the City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's actual or perceived sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or pregnancy. For more information, please refer to the DOE Non-Discrimination Policy.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.