Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Manager

Who We Are:
Waukegan Community Unit School District No. 60 serves nearly 14,000 students in preschool through grade 12 and is located halfway between Chicago, Illinois and Milwaukee, Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Michigan. The District has 1 early learning center, 15 elementary schools, five middle schools and a high school program divided between two 9th – 12th grade campuses. The District encompasses portions of Waukegan, Beach Park and Park City.

Why We Do This Work:
The Waukegan Community Unit School District No. 60 has set an ambitious agenda for change, guided by the belief that all children, regardless of circumstances, can achieve at high levels and academic gaps can and will be eliminated with the support of teachers who deliver engaging, relevant, and academically rigorous instruction that excites students and instills a love of learning in them.

What We Need:
Under the primary direction of the Director of Equity and Inclusion, the Family and Community Engagement Manager will be the individual who will plan, organize, and lead community engagement activities within our schools and throughout the Waukegan community. This position will work with our parent engagement team on efforts related to implementing effective family and community engagement strategies to help boost student achievement. They will seek ways to engage diverse populations, particularly those that are underrepresented. Furthermore, this role will foster relationships and develop champions with parents, community-based organizations, faith leaders, elected officials, and civic and community leaders, which will lead to the positive engagement of the Waukegan community and neighborhoods. This role will also include helping the schools develop and successfully implement community partnerships.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist the Director of DEI with data collection and the development of family and community programs and resources.

• Assist schools in the development and implementation of effective Family and Community Engagement strategies and programming at the school level; Programs include Guardian, Parent and Teacher Organizations (GPTO), and other programs.

• Plan, implement, and evaluate Family Institute training/workshops to help staff/parents/families participate more effectively in improving their children’s learning.

• Identify training opportunities that address school/district/community needs and ensure the training opportunities are provided to all stakeholders, including families and community partners.

• Manage and develop the capacity of our cohort of School Outreach FACE Facilitators to support the growing demand and need for professional learning on best practices in Family and Community Engagement utilizing the WPS Equity framework.

• Establish school-based Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Liaisons.

• Facilitate and organize regular program training and meetings for Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Liaisons.

• Continually recruit, build, and maintain partnerships and relationships with local organizations, community groups, and Alumni that support Waukegan Public Schools and host monthly meetings with our Central Partners.

• Work with the communications department to facilitate regular communications between schools, families, and community partners on various platforms such as school websites, publications, social media, and other marketing tools.

• Develop and implement parental engagement strategies that lead to meaningful parent-led advocacy.

• Support and partner with schools to advise and develop school-level strategies to increase parent engagement, levels of trust and support, proactive relationship building, and a welcoming environment, and assist schools/districts in addressing parent concerns as needed.

• Facilitate meetings and conduct presentations for families and community-based organizations, non-profits, faith-based organizations, other outside organizations, etc.

• Provide regular status updates on project management, including scope, time, cost, and quality.

• Develop annual goals that align with the strategic plan that supports FACE at the schooland district level while increasing participation in all programs.

• Develop and maintain a database/record of all FACE programs, activities, and partnerships.

• Serve as liaison between the central office of Family and Community Engagement and the schools.

• Serve as an active and contributing member of the Department of Equity and Inclusion team, and engage in continuous improvement, problem-solving, and individual and collective self-reflection and learning around issues of racial equity and other Interdepartmental initiatives.

• Remains up-to-date on current and relevant research, best practices, and other pertinent policies that relate to Family and Community Engagement.

• Communicates, collaborates, and exhibits professional behavior, tact, and sound judgment while working with administrators, colleagues, central office and school-based staff, students, parents/guardians, and the community.

• Find and distribute tangible resources equitably throughout the district.

• Use technology and other web-based productivity and collaboration tools to support logistics and create publications and presentations.

• Serves on the Waukegan Public Schools Foundation

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects flexibly.

• Perform additional ad hoc duties as assigned.

Note: The above statements are intended to describe the essential functions and related requirements of persons assigned to this job. They are not intended as an exhaustive list of job duties, responsibilities, and requirements.

Qualifications:
1. Bachelor’s degree in education or related field required; master’s degree in education or related field preferred;
2. At least four years of increasingly responsible experience in public education or related setting, experience in the development, administration, and facilitation of meetings and community groups.
3. Must have a valid Illinois Professional Educators License.
4. Bilingual Preferred
5. Professional experience designing and implementing training and programs for families with a background in Family and Community Engagement.
6. Demonstrate proficiency in various instructional technology tools, including web-based productivity and collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, etc.).
7. Evidence of successful interpersonal skills that will enable the candidate to communicate with diverse and multicultural populations in written and oral forms.

Compensation:TBD based on education, experience, etc.

Application Deadline: Candidates must submit an online application to be received by the closing date.