PARENT EDUCATOR

POSITION GOAL

To assist in meeting the social service needs of families with Early Childhood Education students, by providing targeted services, including encouraging parental involvement in their children’s education, explaining programs and procedures, providing support in locating community resources, participating constructively in parental group meetings and performing other related duties.

ESSENTIAL PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Visit studentsâ homes to explain school programs, help parents/families to become full partners in their childâ s education, reinforce positive attitudes of parents and students towards school, and to learn of any home problems that may have a bearing on student accomplishments in school; report such problems to the appropriate program and/or school personnel.
• Assist in organizing, recruiting, and providing support to the Early Childhood Education classrooms, Policy Council, and committees that require parent involvement; and assist in coordinating activities that will encourage parent involvement in the school and community programs.
• Assist in the development of criteria used in the screening process and determine appropriate program participants.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings, individual supervisory sessions, workshops, and parent group meetings.
• Compile, edit, and maintain information required for program reports and assist with the preparation of the reports, as requested.
• Conduct all personal contacts with parents, students, school staff members and the general public in the appropriate manner to maintain positive relations and assist in meeting the social service needs of early childhood education students.
• Become knowledgeable of all public and private service agencies, which could be utilized to serve the participating families and direct the families to these agencies, as needed.
• Provide feedback on the attitudes, opinions, and concerns of the program participants to appropriate individuals.
• Assist in monitoring attendance and recruitment.
• Confer, on a regular basis, with the assigned school Social Worker, to ensure that all federal and state program standards are met, and appropriate documentation is submitted, including Head Start Performance Standards, if applicable.
• Provide family literacy materials, resources, and activities to support emergent literacy in the home environment.
• Perform and promote all activities in compliance with the equal employment and non-discrimination policies of The School Board of Broward County, Florida.
• Participate in professional learning programs offered to enhance the individual skills and proficiency related to the job responsibilities.
• Review current developments, literature, and technical sources of information related to job responsibilities.
• Ensure adherence to safety rules and procedures.
• Follow federal and state laws, including Head Start/Early Head Start Performance Standards, if applicable, as well as School Board policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Director or designee.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Standard high school diploma or satisfactory completion of an approved General Educational Development (GED) Testing Program.
• A minimum of two (2) years, within the last five (5) years of experience, in the field related to the title of the position.
• Valid certification in one of the following discipline(s): social work, human services, family services, counseling or related field.
• Certification must be obtained within the first eighteen (18) months of employment.

OR

• An earned associate or bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field. Note that candidates with associate and bachelor's degrees that are not in the specified field of study must obtain valid certification in one of the following discipline(s): social work, human services, family services, or counseling. Certification must be obtained within the first eighteen (18) months of employment.

AND

• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of community resources and programs.
• Access to reliable transportation
• Able to work flexible hours.
• Computer skills as required for this position.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bilingual skills.

SIGNIFICANT CONTACTS-frequency, contact, purpose

On a daily basis, the Parent Educator assists families with Early Childhood Education students to identify and meet their social service needs by providing targeted services and encourage parental involvement to meet the needs of the student population

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force as frequently as needed to move objects.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Salary and benefits shall be paid consistent with the District's approved compensation plan. Length of the work year and hours of employment, shall be those established by the School Board.