GEAR UP Kentucky Family Engagement Coordinator

Available in 4 service regions

GEAR UP Kentucky, a federal grant program administered through the Council on Postsecondary Education, is seeking Family Engagement Coordinators in 4 regions covering the 12 school districts it serves: BLUEGRASS (Frankfort Independent, Mason County, Marion County districts); LICKING RIVER (Bath County, Bourbon County, Paris Independent districts); BUFFALO TRACE (Fleming County, Mason County, Robertson County districts); and NORTHERN KENTUCKY (Bracken County, Covington Independent, Pendleton County). Full- and part-time positions are available.

TO APPLY: Submit a cover letter and resume to Valerie Drake at valerie.drake@ky.gov.

Format your subject line in the following way:

FEC – Name(s) of Region(s) in which you are interested in working – FT or PT (indicating your interest in working full-time or part-time)

EXAMPLE: FEC – Licking River – FT

GEAR UP Kentucky Family Engagement Coordinators Position Description
GEAR UP Kentucky (GUK) will employ Family Engagement Coordinators (FEC) in each region to implement local and statewide activities that equip and engage parents, guardians, and other family members to support students in preparing for and transitioning to postseco­ndary education.  FECs will work with the GUK regional and in-school staff, as well as school site teams, to implement a structured set of activities and events for GUK parents and families, including:

• GUK Family Curricula and Advising: Series of resources and workshops designed to help families understand the college and career readiness skills their students need to succeed after high school and gain strategies to navigate the transition to postsecondary education after high school;
• GUK Family Basecamps (one per region, once per school year): One-day weekend workshops to help introduce parents to key issues in postsecondary readiness and help them understand the educational options available to their students.
• GUK Parent Ambassadors Program: Local networks of GUK parents/families within each GUK school district, who partner with school and program staff to mobilize and engage other families in supporting student success in both the district and larger community.
• GUK Family Camp at Institute for College-Going Culture: (annual statewide event): GUK will invite parents and families from all participating schools to attend a 1.5-day statewide conference focused on creating a college-going culture in GUK schools and communities. Parents and family members will participate in a customized track of workshops and seminars to increase their knowledge and capacity in supporting student’s postsecondary success.
• GUK Family Campus Experiences: GUK will offer families various opportunities to visit college campuses with their students including school-based campus visits and GUK Junior Summer Academies.
• Local GUK Family and Community Engagement and Outreach: Additional activities may include the coordination of workshops and events focused on helping families support their student in applying for college and financial aid, understanding college readiness assessment results, exploring opportunities across various career fields and disciplines, and developing proficiency in other topics related to the mission and goals of GUK.

Coordinators will be selected by GUK with input from school leadership and employed on an hourly basis through Adecco Temp Services. This is a 9.5 month position (mid-August 2019 through May 2020)  with a base rate of $11-15/hour (dependent on applicant’s education levels and related experience); part and full-time opportunities available. Includes frequent, in-state travel to facilitate routine job responsibilities and attend GUK-sponsored trainings, meetings, and events that will occur both during and outside of school hours, including evenings and weekends. FECs will complete required to attend a full week  training August 12-16 in Frankfort and background checks as applicable to their assigned region.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Communicate the GUK vision and mission effectively to all stakeholders.
• Coordinate with the GUK Family Engagement Coordinator Lead, Regional Program Coordinators, and School Site Teams to plan and coordinate family outreach activities consistent with the GUK statewide agenda, including, but not limited to:
  • Arrange educational field trips and family events for students and their families.
  • Provide guidance and support to families to develop plans for their student’s high school and postsecondary success.
  • Disseminate information and resources to parents/families that promotes the importance of postsecondary education, explains college preparation and admission requirements, and raises awareness of and engagement in GEAR UP.
  • Participate in school-based family nights or other events where parents/families are present to promote awareness and use of GUK resources and services.
  • Recruit and register participants for the annual GUK Family Camp at the Institute for a College-Going Culture
  • Sign up parents/family members to receive text messages and advice to support their student’s success
• Collaborate with GUK and school staff to identify strategies that reduce barriers to family involvement.
• Provide feedback about GUK family engagement activities, including analysis of outcomes and recommendations for improvements, when appropriate.
• Establish and maintain consultative relationships with community services professionals to engage families.
• Assist with the organization and implementation of periodic community meetings.
• Assist with brokering relationships between GUK site-based staff, Family Resource and Youth Service Centers, and other community/state organizations to develop and/or strengthen in-school family advocacy groups and family-school partnerships.
• Work with GUK regional staff to identify program support and training needs related to family engagement, and recommend opportunities for improved support and resources for GEAR UP family volunteer leaders.
• Comply with all data collection and reporting requirements in a timely manner, including Annual Performance Reports (APR), outcome data, student/family participation data, time and effort logs, and data requests.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM TRAINING/EXPERIENCE:

• An associate degree in the area of education, psychology, sociology, guidance and counseling, business management, or related field.
• Minimum of three years of experience in the area of teaching, school counseling, college and career advising, community/family engagement, social work, communications/public relations, or a related discipline.

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING:

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite programs (i.e., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and a positive and highly motivated personality.
• Professional and personal maturity, with the ability to exercise discretion in sensitive situations.
• Strong work ethic and the ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to complete assigned tasks in a timely fashion.
• Engaging presentation skills and the ability to provide training to learners of all ages.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate multiple assignments successfully and with fidelity.
• Ability to work collaboratively with school administration and staff, as well as program and community business partners.

GEAR UP Kentucky is an equal opportunity employer.