MCCB POLICIES

Section 5: Staff Positions

MS COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL

Title: Early Childhood Academy- Family Engagement Specialist

Initial Date of Adoption: May 18, 2018

Reference:

5.63

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EARLY CHILDHOOD ACADEMY- FAMILY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST

Characteristics of Work: The Early Childhood Academy Family Engagement Specialist is a full-time administrative position. The Academy collaborates with the MCCB’s Offices of Career and Technical and Workforce Education, the fifteen community and junior colleges, the Mississippi Department of Human Services, and child care providers to ensure that Mississippi’s family-based unified and integrated early childhood system connects and integrates resources and services for both parents/caregivers and their children. The Office is also responsible for establishing an Early Childhood Academy (ECA) with a Resource and Referral Center (R & R) at participating community colleges to deliver professional development for all centers, delivering and managing technical assistance and coaching, and providing leadership to the Resource and Referral Network offices. The incumbent must be self- motivated and must exercise sound, independent judgment in a dynamic environment with conflicting priorities requiring a high degree of teamwork, flexibility, discretion, diplomacy, and tact. Work is subject to review by the Director of Early Childhood Academy, to whom the incumbent is responsible. 1. Works collaboratively with staff and community agencies to support the needs of families and children. 2. Assist the Resource and Referral Associates with making referrals for families to community agencies and ensure proper follow-up services. 3. Assesses family needs and assist families with establishing goals and action plans in the areas of housing, health, public assistance, hunger and parenting. 4. Collaborates with Resource and Referral Associates with planning parent workshops, securing speakers, and implementing parent activities based on data from parent surveys. 5. Assist families with gaining understanding of Kindergarten transition, including providing registration information and coordinating visitations. 6. Serves as a liaison with classroom teaching staff and family services to address absenteeism and other family concerns. 7. Represents Early Childhood Academy at local community meetings, health events, and other outreach events. 8. Maintains a trusting and confidential relationship with parents and families. 9. Perform other Agency related duties as needed and assigned by Director of Early Childhood Academy. Minimum Qualifications A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and five years related work experience in family services, social work, mental health, or related field. Demonstrated leadership in the implementation and evaluation of child care providers. Excellent decision-making skills, including those involved with conflict resolution, negotiation, and facilitation. Ability to work independently, but possessing the interpersonal skills necessary to work with teams of various college personnel and other internal or external constituencies to build strong and collaborative relationships. Advanced analytical and organizational skills, including a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. Incumbent must be able to work well under pressure, prioritize and plan work activities in order to meet multiple deadlines, manage time effectively, and work collaboratively and independently to achieve stated goals. Willingness to work nights and weekends, as necessary, to ensure continuous service delivery. Effective oral and written communication skills, including proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Additional Comments:

This is a Non-State, time-limited, federally funded position.