Job Description

SUMMARY: Develops, plans and implements meaningful activities for parents to ensure effective and consistent participation of parents at all levels of Head Start and Early Head Start programs coordinates and oversees the parent involvement component for Head Start and Early Head Start program; organizes parent activities, parent education and parent groups; recruits, trains and supervises parent volunteers and performs all other related duties.

40% PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Coordinates the parent involvement component of the Head Start and Early Head Start programs; plans, and formulates goals, policies and activities designed to implement parent involvement objectives and performance standards; supports and encourages parent participation in all Head Start and Early Head Start activities; assists families with their own self-improvement efforts and utilization of community resources; acts as a liaison between Head Start or Early Head Start and community agencies; oversees the development of parent communications; regularly monitors, tracks, assesses, analyzes and evaluates parent involvement activities; assists in the development and implementation of activities of the Policy Council (PC) and other parent committees; coordinates with other program content experts and with agencies and services that can provide resources that would facilitate parent involvement; collects and analyzes information for specialized reports; develops, distributes and analyzes the results of parent surveys; and prepares routine and narrative reports in accordance with assigned functions.

30% PARENT TRAINING/EDUCATION

Trains parent committee members concerning their role, duties and responsibilities while serving on the Parent Policy Council; trains program staff in implementing parent involvement strategies; provides program orientation to parent groups in parent involvement opportunities within the program; develops and implements training modules and activities for parents; and promotes parent involvement and participation in Head Start or Early Head Start programs.

20% PARENT LIAISON

Serves as a liaison between parents, staff and community groups, interpreting their roles in the Head Start/Early Head Start/Pre-school effort; maintains confidentiality of records and information on Head Start program families; serves as an intermediary in complaints by parents and community members; and serves as an advocate for parent involvement in Head Start, Early Head Start and community.

10% RELATED ACTIVITES:

Participates in general program evaluation and monitoring processes; participates in writing the grant plan of action in conjunction with the Director, management staff, policy council, parents and staff; monitors parent involvement budget; and perform all other related duties.

DECISION-MAKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING: Determines parent training content; Develops and implements short-term and long-term plans, and provides data for and participates in long-term planning; requires frequent exercise of discretionary judgement and specialized knowledge in interpreting and applying policies; situations are varied and moderately complex; and participates in program decisions that frequently have major impact on a division and/or its clients.

REQUIRED MINIMUM SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of community social services agencies; knowledge of federal, state and local regulations; knowledge of principles and practices of organization, management, supervision and training; ability to relate effectively with parents and community; ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedural manuals; ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, parents and the general public; ability to perform outreach and gain the cooperation and confidence of parents; skill and ability to speak, read and write a language other than English is preferred; advanced skill in communicating orally and in writing, with large and small audiences; skill in collecting, assembling, and analyzing data, preparing complex reports, and monitoring (tracking) progress; skill in budget preparation; ability to administer programs as well as coordinate functions and activities between the Head Start program and outside agencies; and skill in adapting style to divergent situations.

REQUIRED MINIMUM TRAINING, EDUCATION AND LICENSING: A Bachelor’s degree in human services, social welfare or a related field from an accredited college or university. A Master's degree is desirable. A valid Class C Driver’s License.

REQUIRED MINIMUM PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE: Three years of job related experience with demonstrated competence in community organization or working with organized community groups. Prior experience in a head start program is preferred.

REQUIRED INTERACTION (NON-AUTHORITY): Contacts are somewhat unstructured; contacts are frequently with high-level individuals inside and outside the work unit; contacts require planning, promoting, strategy development, decision making and problem solving.

ENVIRONMENT: While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hand to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk or sit. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Personnel Commission Approval: April 28, 2005