Human Resources announces an opening for a 1.0 FTE Communications Coordinator: Family Engagement and Public Information . This is a 260-days, Grade E-8 position.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Coordinates family engagement and outreach activities to ensure provision of parent information concerning, and to increase parent engagement in, the education and development of their children in APS, and to increase community support of parents in this endeavor. Monitors, coordinates and supports the registration process, APS-wide. Organizes, coordinates and markets the APS Parent Academy; manages all countywide parent information events; manages and updates the APS Registration, Boundary, School Options and Parent Academy web pages; coordinates the production of preK-12 printed materials related to registration in APS; and performs related functions to increase family engagement and community support and to help facilitate effective registration services throughout APS.

SUPERVISION

Reports to the Assistant Superintendent, School and Community Relations. Work comes to the incumbent through established flows and by specific assignment, typically in terms of priorities, objectives, resources, timelines, expected results and other considerations/parameters. The incumbent independently plans and carries out work, makes decisions and recommendations within the scope of one’s authority, keeps the supervisor informed and brings complex or sensitive issues or problems forward for guidance or resolution. Work is reviewed in terms of quality, quantity, timeliness, customer service, attainment of key family engagement coordination objectives, adherence to programmatic requirements and other factors. The incumbent has no employee or student

supervisory responsibilities.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a single position class in the Department of School and Community Relations that focuses on family engagement and the registration process.

GUIDELINES Guidelines

include but are not limited to APS policies and policy implementation procedures (PIPs); APS operations and outreach efforts (especially concerning registration and community engagement); the APS Strategic Plan; Department of School and Community Relations office and program procedures; general references, such as dictionaries and style manuals; and brief verbal or written instructions. The incumbent uses judgment and initiative in managing family engagement and outreach plans, planning logistical support for events, and performing other functions.

CONTACTS

Contacts include but are not limited to managers and staff across APS (especially school contacts related to registration, Information Nights, Transition and Parent Academy functions), parents, students, community organizations and the general public. The purposes of contacts include but are not limited to engaging parents in support their children’s education and community organizations in support of parents, exchanging routine and non-routine information, and coordinating with others. The full diversity of the County is reflected in regularly recurring contacts.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE CLASS (May not include all duties performed.)

Represents APS in local business and civic organizations and develops contacts to more effectively engage the Arlington community in support of student learning. Creates or improves, plans, organizes and manages all countywide parent information events including, but not limited to, the annual Kindergarten Information Night, Middle School Information Night and High School Information Night. Coordinates the production of preK-12 printed materials related to registration in APS, including policies, procedures and related forms as well as training workshops for school registrars and office staff. Coordinates the production of all the first day packets and related forms and information for APS, including policies, calendars, and related forms. Creates and manages production schedules and work plans. Develops and conducts regular training opportunities for APS staff including school registrars, office staff and other key personnel through workshops, discussion groups, roundtables and other training opportunities to strengthen their knowledge of and skills in registration and key school information and to ensure consistent customer service for parents and families at all Arlington schools and programs. Regularly communicates with local realtors, parent organizations, private preschools and childcare providers to help increase their understanding of the programs and opportunities available for children and families through APS. Serves as a liaison for parents new to the community as they seek help in navigating their options and the requirements for registration. Participates in local business and civic organizations and develops community contacts to more effectively engage the Arlington community in support of student learning. Stays abreast of APS and community developments related to the need for informed and engaged parents. Writes and develops all marketing and informational materials for registration in APS, including sample letters, announcements, guidebooks, school overviews, brochures, publicity and other collateral materials, as needed. Organizes, coordinates and markets the APS Parent Academy. Writes and develops all marketing and informational materials related to the Parent Academy. Serves as the primary APS liaison to parent, county and community agencies to identify, coordinate and promote Parent Academy courses to further engage families in support of the education of their children. Manages and regularly updates the APS Registration, Boundary, School Options and Parent Academy web pages. Acts as liaison between APS and Arlington’s culturally and ethnically diverse communities in support of family outreach and engagement. Collaborates with the Arlington community, schools, central office departments and parent organizations to support efforts in reaching the goals of the APS Strategic Plan. May participate in a leadership role in community activities and organizations. Coordinates all APS internal and external communications and related publicity for the Registration, Transition and Parent Academy functions. Generates correspondence in reply to inquiries, prepares presentations, and writes or reviews form letters, and other types of materials. Uses a computer for various functions – planning, scheduling, communicating (email), word processing, research (the Internet), presentations, etc. Uses desktop publishing software to create appealing and effective marketing and publicity materials. Operates a sedan or other small passenger vehicle to attend meetings, make presentations at various sites, conduct tours, check on arrangements for such functions as Information Nights, etc. Performs related duties, as assigned or needed.

EXPERIENCE:

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of APS educational goals and priorities, APS administration concerning registration, school boundaries and the like, and school operations, with emphasis on encouraging, facilitating and increasing family engagement to enhance the educational and child developmental/growth of students. This includes keen awareness of cultural diversity in Arlington County to effectively
engage parents from all parts of the community. Knowledge of community organizations, including business, civic, government and professional groups, with an emphasis on encouraging, facilitating and increasing community support and participation in the work of APS. This includes keen awareness of cultural diversity in Arlington County to effectively engage all parts of the community.

Knowledge of, and skill in, media relations, public affairs-public relations and communications sufficient to develop informational brochures, press releases, newsletters, web pages and presentations to inform and engage parents in the education of their children and to inform and engage the community in support, while enhancing the public image of APS. Skill in problem solving to select, organize and logically process relevant information (verbal, numerical or abstract) to solve a problem. This includes ability to recognize subtle aspects of problems, identify relevant information and make balanced recommendations and decisions. Examples include updating, improving and managing plans for family engagement and outreach and coordination of registration; developing and making audience-specific appeals to increase family engagement; and arranging for and overseeing execution of such events as the annual
Kindergarten, Middle School and High School Information Nights. Skill in written communication to understand written information (including instructions, descriptions and ideas), and to express such information in writing so that others will understand and, at times, be convinced or persuaded. Examples include developing marketing materials for the Parent Academy and the annual Information Nights, including informational brochures, sample letters, announcements, and other publicity and collateral materials; and updating the Parent Academy, Registration, Boundary and School Options web pages on the APS website. Skill in oral communication to understand verbal information (including instructions, descriptions and ideas), and to express such information verbally so that others will understand and, at times, be convinced or persuaded. Examples include discussing the benefits of strong parent support of the education of their children with individuals, and making formal presentations to parent organizations and other groups to inform and engage them in active community support of APS students and families. This includes the ability to encourage effective oral communication by others and ‘active listening’ to strengthen appeals, overcome reluctance and obtain commitment. Interpersonal skills to interact with contacts in a businesslike, customer service-oriented manner by establishing and maintaining effective working relationships and working in harmony with supervisors, staff and the general public. Skill in using a computer and modern office suite software (such as MS Office) to plan, schedule, communicate (email), word process, research (Internet), etc., as well as desktop publishing software to create informational brochures, marketing materials, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS:

MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

A Bachelors Degree in education, communications, public affairs-public relations, or a related field; or, An equivalent combination of education, experience and training; and Three years of progressively responsible experience working in communications or public affairs-public relations; or, An equivalent combination of education, experience and training. Experience working with people of diverse backgrounds and tailoring and delivering work products and services to meet the needs of diverse groups is desirable.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION

A valid drivers license.

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES

Work is predominantly sedentary and involves light physical effort. It requires moving about to obtain work objects, supplies, etc., distribute work products, coordinate with others and perform related functions; operating office and communications equipment, such as a computer (for sustained periods, at times) and a telephone; and reviewing all kinds of written documents containing small print, symbols and special notations.

HAZARDS/UNUSUAL DEMANDS

Generally, work involves only exposure to normal, everyday risks. Work is subject to deadlines and requires tailoring and delivering work products and services to meet the needs of diverse groups.

APPLY TO:

SALARY:

Salary range of $71,598 to $117,351 based upon 23/24 pay plan.

Newly hired employees with previous experience in their field may receive salary credit for up
to five years of experience related to the job being filled.

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