Parent Engagement Specialist

Department

Florida Institute for Child Welfare

Responsibilities

Policy & Strategy Development

• Develop and implement institute-wide policies for engaging parents with lived experience, tailored both holistically and by team.
• Collaborate with researchers and program leads to ensure parental lived experience is embedded in strategic planning and project design.

Supervision & Team Leadership

• Supervise a small team of OPS or contracted individuals with parental lived experience, providing mentorship and ensuring alignment with FICW's mission.
• Support professional development and capacity-building for parental lived experience contributors.

Stakeholder Engagement & Technical Assistance

• Serve as the primary point of contact for parent-serving agencies seeking engagement with lived experts.
• Connect internal teams with appropriate individuals or groups with parental lived experience.
• Represent FICW in local, state, and national workgroups and events focused on parental lived experience in child welfare.

Research Collaboration & Participant Support

• Co-develop study methodologies that authentically incorporate parental lived experience.
• Conduct informal listening tours and formal focus groups/interviews across Florida to gather insights from parents with lived experience.
• Serve as (or appoint) a liaison for parental lived experience research participants to ensure ethical and supportive engagement.
• Participate in implementation teams for new research projects with direct or indirect involvement with or impact on parents.

Communications & Public Affairs

• Collaborate with the Associate Director of Public Affairs to develop communication products and events that resonate with parents with lived experience.
• Support the planning and execution of FICW-hosted events that directly involve parental lived experts.
• Develop and oversee the parent lived experience scholarship process, including promotion, selection, and follow-up.

Program & Professional Development

• Participate in the design and rollout of professional development initiatives that integrate parental lived experience.
• Collaborate with program leaders to develop tools and resources for intersectional professionals (e.g., parents with lived experience now working in child welfare).
• Provide technical assistance to internal teams on how to meaningfully engage parental lived experience in their work.

Qualifications

Bachelors degree and four years' experience in a related science or research services field or a high school diploma or equivalent and eight years of same experience. (Note: or a combination of post high school education and experience equal to eight years.)

Helpful

The Florida Institute for Child Welfare is housed at the Florida State University College of Social Work. The purpose of the institute is to advance the well-being of children and families by improving the performance of child protection and child welfare services through research, policy analysis, evaluation, and leadership development. Visit Florida Institute for Child Welfare for more information.

University Information

One of the nations elite research universities, Florida State University preserves, expands, and disseminates knowledge in the sciences, technology, arts, humanities, and professions, while embracing a philosophy of learning strongly rooted in the traditions of the liberal arts and critical thinking. Founded in 1851, Florida State University is the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida. FSU is a community steeped in tradition that fosters research and encourages creativity. At FSU, there's the excitement of being part of a vibrant academic and professional community, surrounded by people whose ideas are shaping tomorrow's news!

Learn more about Florida State University and our campuses.

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How To Apply

If qualified and interested in a specific job opening as advertised, apply through the FSU Careers site (jobs.fsu.edu). If you are a current FSU employee, apply through myFSU Self Service.

Applicants are required to complete the online application with all applicable information. Applications must include all work history up to ten years, and education details even if attaching a resume.

Considerations

This is an A&P position.

This position requires successful completion of a criminal history background check.

This position has been designated as eligible for remote work based on the current position/job functions

Equal Employment Opportunity

FSU is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.