Parent Navigator

Job Purpose

The Parent Navigator plays a critical role in helping families understand and navigate their educational options between the private Christian school and the public charter school located on the Open Sky Learning Center campus. By offering personalized support, the Parent Navigator helps parents and guardians explore both educational paths, ensuring they make informed decisions that best align with their child’s academic needs, personal values, and long-term goals. Throughout this process, the Parent Navigator supports families at every step, addressing their questions, concerns, and aspirations to enhance the overall experience and ensure families feel confident and well-supported in their decision-making journey. The role also involves actively engaging with the community, building lasting relationships with prospective families, providing resources, and generating leads for both schools through outreach, events, and individualized attention.

Essential Responsibilities and Competencies

Essential Responsibilities:

• Family Support and Guidance: Serve as the primary point of contact for families exploring educational options. Provide tailored assistance to parents by offering clear information on curriculum, extracurricular activities, tuition, scholarships, and enrollment processes about the options available at the learning center. Assist families in understanding the differences between private and public education and guide them in understanding and navigating financial aid, state testing requirements, and other essential decision-making factors.
• Parent Engagement: Plan, organize, and execute workshops, tours, open houses, and Q&A sessions to educate and engage parents about the available educational options at the learning center. Foster a supportive and welcoming environment that reassures families in their decision-making.
• Communication and Collaboration: Work closely with school staff to ensure accurate and up-to-date information is shared with parents, including through social media channels. Facilitate smooth communication with parents to address their needs and preferences effectively. Actively listen to concerns and provide solutions tailored to each family’s unique situation.
• Data Collection and Feedback: Gather feedback from parents and analyze trends to continuously improve the support process. Maintain accurate records of family interactions and preferences, ensuring personalized guidance is provided at every stage of the Parent Experience Journey.
• Resource Development: Develop clear, accessible informational materials (digital and print) that explain educational options at the learning center, ensuring they are presented in a professional and welcoming manner.
• Community Engagement and Outreach: Plan, coordinate, and represent Open Sky Learning Center at local community events, education fairs, and marketing activities. Collaborate with local churches, community groups, and businesses to increase awareness and generate interest in educational options at the learning center. Utilize social media, digital marketing, and grassroots strategies to expand outreach and drive referrals.
• Scholarship Support: Assist families in navigating empowerment scholarship accounts and tax credit scholarships, ensuring they understand the available financial resources.
• Lead Generation and Recruitment: Manage a pipeline of prospective families, tracking inquiries, follow-ups, and enrollment statuses. Work closely with school administrators and marketing teams to align messaging and recruitment efforts. Encourage word-of-mouth referrals and testimonials from current families.
• Flexibility: Willingness to travel and adjust work schedules, including evenings and weekends, to host and attend community events and fulfill outreach needs.

Competencies:

• Strong Communication Skills: The ability to communicate clearly and empathetically with parents, both in writing and verbally, to address concerns and provide guidance.
• Active Listening and Problem-Solving: Demonstrated ability to listen to parents’ concerns, understand their needs, and offer tailored solutions to support their child's educational journey.
• In-Depth Knowledge of Educational Options: A solid understanding of school choice policies, educational options, and available resources, ensuring parents are well-informed in their decision-making process.
• Relationship Building: Ability to build strong, trust-based relationships with parents, school staff, and the community to foster collaboration and effective communication.
• Organizational Skills: Ability to manage multiple families and stages of the Parent Experience Journey efficiently, ensuring smooth operations and timely responses.
• Parent-Centered Approach: A commitment to empowering families and ensuring they have the tools and support to make the best educational choices for their children.
• Commitment to Customer Service Excellence: Upholding core values of Care, Expertise, Efficiency, Ease, and Appearance in all interactions, creating a professional and positive experience for parents.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, Communications, or a related field (preferred).
• Experience working with families in educational or community settings (2-3 years preferred).
• Bilingual in Spanish.
• Familiarity with CRM software, digital marketing, and lead generation strategies is a plus.

• A strong understanding of faith-based education and ability to articulate its benefits to prospective families.

• Ability to connect with families of diverse backgrounds and help them feel supported in their decision-making process.
• Strong communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Knowledge of school choice policies, private school financial aid, and public charter school enrollment procedures.

Personal Qualities

• Maturing Christ-follower who sees the fulfillment of this role and our mission as an active expression of their ongoing walk with Christ. (Includes regular participation in a local church and other faith-growing habits and communities to be filled up regularly so he/she is ready to pour themselves into our work, mission, and team.  Also includes alignment with and desire to advance our Statement of Faith and Code of Conduct)
• Integrity, credibility, and a passionate commitment to the Open Sky mission, with a focus on empowering families in the school options.
• A strong ability to understand and share the feelings of others, offering compassionate support as families explore their options.
• A calm, friendly, and open demeanor that builds trust, encouraging parents to confidently seek guidance and make informed decisions.
• Flexibility in adjusting approaches to meet each family’s unique needs, ensuring they feel supported and empowered.
• Critical thinking and creativity focused on the child’s best interests, helping families make choices that align with their values.
• A commitment to going above and beyond to provide timely support, showing initiative and responsibility for each family’s success.
• Trustworthiness and respect for sensitive information, creating a safe space for families throughout their decision-making journey.

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.