Assistant Director of Family Engagement bei PENFIELD CHILDRENS CENTER

Description

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Family Engagement is responsible for the day-to-day coordination and implementation of Penfield’s family engagement approach. This role provides direct supervision and support to Family Engagement staff, ensuring consistent practices in family assessment, engagement, and support. The Assistant Director helps families strengthen their role as partners in their child’s development and school readiness, while fostering collaboration between families, staff, and community partners.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Family Engagement & Program Implementation

• Implement and maintain the family engagement approach to support positive family outcomes and children’s school readiness. 
• Plan and execute family programming, activities, and events, ensuring they are inclusive and responsive to family needs.
• Work with Marketing to develop and distribute outreach and marketing activities and materials including, educational materials, mailings, event information etc.
• Ensure the implementation of research-based family curriculum in collaboration with the Education team.
• Assist families in accessing community resources and referrals.
• Ensure effective communication with families through tools such as the ProCare app and monthly newsletters.

Family Leadership & Governance

• Plan and execute all Penfield hosted family events, including but not limited to  Family Engagement Network meetings (FEN), Family Learning Plan (FLP) meetings, Parent Cafes, Safety Outpost, Holiday Party, Family Workshops. 
• Oversee Policy Council to ensure strong family voice, shared decision-making, and compliance with Head Start governance requirements.
• Support family participation in advisory groups and committees and coordinate training for parents and community members wanting to volunteer in the classroom.
• Attend local, state and regional initiatives to represent the center and to develop professionally.

ERSEA Oversight

• Oversee all aspects of ERSEA (eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance) to ensure full enrollment and compliance with Head Start Performance Standards. 
• Monitor family files and enrollment data for accuracy and timeliness.
• Develop and support recruitment activities in collaboration with staff and community partners.
   

Compliance & Monitoring

• Conduct/support formal and informal qualitative audits, as well as review data trends to assess the execution of program strategies and assure that the program is in full compliance with HSPS 
• Monitor staff documentation and ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and agency policies.
• Assist in data collection and reporting to support program monitoring and quality improvement.
• Track and monitor grant-related metrics, ensuring program activities and outcomes meet funding requirements and reporting deadlines.

Supervision & Staff Support

• In collaboration with Human Resources, plan and oversee the interviewing, hiring, and onboarding process of all family engagement positions as identified in the organizational structure.
• Supervise Family Engagement staff, providing coaching, feedback, and professional development.
• Meet regularly with staff to monitor progress, resolve challenges, and review goals.
• Ensure timely completion of required paperwork and documentation by staff.
• Plan and implement professional development for  family engagement staff that will lead to the successful implementation of the program’s Family Engagement approach.  
• Promote teamwork and collaboration with Education, Health, and other departments.
   

Community Partnerships & Engagement

• Build and maintain partnerships with local organizations to strengthen resources and support for families.
• Develop Memorandums of Understanding with key community-based organizations that will allow referrals to the HS program, outline available services that will be provided as well as the delineated roles and responsibilities of both organizations.
• Plan all canvassing and community recruitment events (e.g., resource fairs, door-to-door outreach, back-to-school events, etc) through networking and building relationships with other community partners (Ex: Health Clinics, Non-Profits, Social Service Agencies, etc.)
• Participate on the collaborative Health Services Advisory Committee. (HSAC)
• Coordinate training for parents, volunteers, and community members to increase engagement.
• Support family participation in advisory groups and committees.
   

Other Duties

• Participate in program and agency meetings, events, and trainings, including occasional evenings.
• Assist with program marketing and outreach efforts.
• Complete required paperwork and reports as assigned.
• Perform other related duties as needed
• Evening and weekend work, as necessary, associated with special events and projects

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s in Family and Child Development, Public Health, Social Work or related field. 
• 5+ years experience in the family and community engagement field, including experience in coaching, supervision, program management and project management to promote program innovation and organizational change.
• Physical exam and background checks are required for this position.
• Travel required locally or long-distance up to 10% of the time for work-related meetings and functions.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Minimum three (3) years of experience directly supervising staff.
• Expertise in community based interventions to improve outcomes for low-income families and communities, with direct experience developing and implementing program strategies.
• Expertise assisting families of young children act as full partners to promote their children’s school readiness and overall healthy development. 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated computer literacy skills and other basic data systems including internet navigation.
• Ability to collaborate with multiple stakeholders to successfully implement program plans 
• Strong analytical skills in order to quickly assess situations, identify trends, develop solutions and apply critical assessments to the larger context
• Must be honest, dependable and able to meet deadlines.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Understands, exhibits and promotes the Penfield Core Values. 

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift or move objects of 50 lbs. or less on a daily basis.
• Must have sufficient mobility to move- including bend, stoop, reach, lift and grasp.
• Meeting vaccine standards as outlined in Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure control plan