Family Engagement Specialist (Remote Opportunity)

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued-and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.

Job Summary

The University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute (UMDI) Regional Head Start business unit Family Engagement Specialist provides training, consultation, and technical assistance to Head Start recipients on comprehensive parent, family, and community engagement (PFCE) with an emphasis on strategies that promote family wellbeing. Family Engagement Specialists work at the direction of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Regional Office (RO).

Essential Functions

• Provides subject matter expertise, strategies, and resources to RO and training and technical assistance (TTA) staff on comprehensive parent, family, and community engagement (PFCE) with an emphasis on strategies that promote family wellbeing.
• Develops and implements strategies for connecting and supporting recipient PFCE managers, coordinators and other family services staff with implementing systems that include PFCE goals and family workforce development.
• Develops and provides TTA on topics related to family engagement and family wellbeing to individual recipients, RO staff, and state partners, as well as to groups of recipients at regional and state events as directed by the RO.
• Facilitates recipients' planning and implementing of service strategies to families experiencing homelessness, children in foster care, children with disabilities and / or other special populations.
• Coordinates TTA with Early Childhood, Grantee and Health Specialists to support effective integration of TTA across service areas as directed by the RO. Includes participating in case management conferences on individual recipients.
• Serves as a liaison between OHS, the National Center on PFCE and other agencies relevant to the work of the RO.
• Serves as a member of a national peer group of Family Engagement Specialists from each of the Regional Area offices.
• Aggregates, analyzes and disseminates state and recipient data from existing government systems related to family wellbeing and family and community engagement to identify emerging trends impacting Head Start and Early Head Start recipients.
• Participates in national, regional and state work groups and meetings as directed by OHS, including supporting Family Engagement Specialist events in other regions with Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) approval.
• Supports emerging OHS initiatives and priorities.
• Complies with all national, regional, contract, and UMass planning and reporting requirements.

Other Functions

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

Physical Demands / Working Conditions

Additional Details

Work Schedule

Salary Information

Level 30

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.