Engagement, Education, and Outreach Specialist

Office of Black Student Acheivment 

SUMMARY Under general supervision, supports & monitors development of districtwide and school-based engagement plans; provides required and voluntary educational workshops; represents the District in local communities and drives engagement through networking, marketing, and partnership development.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS -- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:  Develops relationships with community partners to provide information about District services and strategize opportunities for collaboration.

• Educates target populations about their rights and responsibilities and provides advocacy in overcoming barriers and accessing educational services when appropriate.
• Participates in community coalitions, collaborative meetings, and other multidisciplinary, multisector partnerships of relevance to MPS students and families.
• Monitors community issues, trends, and other factors that may impact program operations.
• Promotes strategies that value and utilize families' expertise and knowledge of their children, staff's educational training and knowledge/experience, and student self-advocacy skills in order to support the student from all perspectives.
• Plans, organizes and delivers educational presentations to community, including securing locations, preparing materials, evaluations and follow up.
• Works with parents and teachers in improving the achievement level of students by assisting parents and volunteers in locating learning activities; disseminates information regarding support services and extracurricular activities.
• Hosts information tables at conferences, fairs and other community events to share information about the District and distributes materials.  Integrates multicultural marketing campaign strategies into outreach messaging.
• Assists school-level, department leadership and school-based staff members by providing professional development opportunities for staff on family engagement topics as requested to meet the needs of diverse learners.
• Identifies potential outreach locations and build partnerships within the community.
• Develops culturally and geographically appropriate educational materials
• Demonstrate courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with students, clients, visitors, and MPS staff; act in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace environment.
• Enthusiastically promote the Superintendent’s goals and priorities in compliance with all policies and procedures.
• Maintain absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, records and MPS information.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines Bachelor’s Degree in social work, communication, public affairs, cultural studies, or a related field; AND four (4) years of community engagement and outreach experience; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources. Engagement, Education, and Outreach Specialist page 2 of 2 Knowledge of:

• Facilitative skills, group dynamics, group learning modalities.
• Principles and practices of engagement across multiple cultures and ethnicities, marketing, and public communications.
• State and Federal laws and regulatory issues governing public education, including rules and regulations of the Minnesota Department of Education and other governing agencies.
• Principles of record keeping and records management.
• Correct English grammar, composition, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Project management and analytical techniques.
• Computer software applications related to duties.

Skill in:

• Working with students and families of children with and without identified special needs.
• Building, maintaining and expanding partnerships to deliver ongoing, high quality services and opportunities for students.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Dealing successfully with a variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong problem-solving, critical-thinking, and independent decision-making skills
• Functioning as an independent, self-motivated, and self-reliant self-starter who initiates appropriate actions and strategies and can work successfully without constant direction and close supervision.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

A valid Minnesota State Driver’s License may be required. PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT Work is performed in a standard office environment which requires occasionally lifting such articles as file boxes or heavier materials with help from others and/or lifting and carrying light objects frequently. A job in this category may require walking or standing to a significant degree or may involve sitting most of the time with long periods of computer work and heavy phone usage.

ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION

• Bargaining Unit: AMP
• Grade: 58
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Job Group: Communications and Engagement
• New: June 9, 2017