Family Advocate

Job Purpose

The Family Advocate will be responsible for working in collaboration with parents, staff, childcare providers, and agency(s) to provide families with resources, information and assistance. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Primary job duties and responsibilities:

• Serves as a resource to parents, childcare providers and agency(s) regarding programs and services offered in the community. 
• Works with school staff and community- based organizations to strengthen home and school relationships and empower parents to participate in school activities and to take responsibility for their child’s learning. 

Customer Relations Responsibilities

• Establishes rapport with all students and families. 
• Provides relevant resources and information to families that may assist the family in receiving the appropriate assistance. 
• Establishes links and working relationships with appropriate service providers and community agencies. 
• Coordinates, develops, and implements parent/community resources designed to enhance parent involvement and impact student achievement. 

Administrative Responsibilities

• Prepares and maintains records and reports. 
• Communicates with teachers in a timely manner regarding student’s health issues or any special family needs 
• Maintains confidentiality of family and student issues 
• Assists in the development of resources of community/health services available to the families.
• Ensures that parents are receiving information that will assist them with discipline, testing, and achievement issues. 
• Empowers and encourages families to make use of all identified resources. 

Facility and Personnel Development Responsibilities

• Provides training for staff, parents, and volunteers, when necessary. 
• Assists schools with recruitment of families for enrollment. 
• Collaborates with colleagues demonstrating a model of connected educators and develop positive working relationships with students, parents, and school staff.
• Provides ongoing support to families and students. 
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Qualifications, Education and Experience

Necessary and desirable qualifications include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Must have a passion for improving educational opportunities for urban students and for building a strong, mission-driven organization. 
• Commitment to continued personal and professional growth, and a commitment to the company’s mission, vision, and growth. 
• Knowledgeable of community resources including government, health and other community agencies. 
• Demonstrated record of success. 
• Passion for improving social and educational opportunities for urban students. 
• Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and presentation skills. 
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently with minimum supervision. 
• Passion for working with, and teaching, youth of various social, educational, and economic backgrounds and levels.
• Willingness to go “above and beyond” to support students in achieving academic goals.
• Proficiency in the use of technology. 
• Education Preferred:
• High school diploma or equivalent 
• Bachelor’s degree is welcomed, but not mandatory.
• Experience preferred:
• 1 -2 years’ experience working in a childcare program and/or agency supporting families. 

Working Conditions

This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment. May work with challenging students at times. 

Physical Requirements

The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; and significant fine finger dexterity. 

Reasonable accommodations can be made to employees with qualified disabilities who can perform the essential functions of the job, so long as there is no undue hardship created upon the organization or other employees within the organization.

Supervision Received

Occasional, minimal guidance, but follows established work methods.

Direct Reports

None.

Conclusion

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the job and the general nature and level of work performed within this job. However, this job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, qualifications, or physical demands associated with the position.