Parent Resource Specialist

Job SummaryThe Parent Resource Specialist leads the Parent Resource Center PERC the heart of family engagement for students with disabilities in Newport News Public Schools. In this part-time role the Specialist connects parents and guardians with the tools training and support they need to be strong partners in their childs education. Responsibilities include planning workshops and events managing a lending library of resources and serving as a welcoming first point of contact for families navigating special education services. The Specialist also represents PERC on the Special Education Advisory Committee and oversees the Centers annual state grant from submission through implementation and monitoring.Essential DutiesDevelops and presents regularly scheduled training programs for parents educators and other interested community members based on assessed needs.Participates as a member of the Special Education Advisory Committee.Responsible for the annual submittal of the state grant application and for the implementation and monitoring of related grant activities.Manages the surrogate parent program to include completion of all Works closely with school personnel social services and other agencies as needed.Maintains a database of eligible individuals to serve as surrogate parents.Maintains an updated lending library of materials equipment and other resources for use by parentsguardians of special needs students.Maintains a database of available materials.Increases parents and educators awareness of the activities and resources of the Parent Resource Center.Develops and distributes brochures with prior approval and other literature to encourage use of the Centers resources.Maintains a database of parents that visit PERC for support and parents who call for assistance.Maintains a Newport News Public Schools intranet website for PERC.Plans manages and coordinates all program activities operations and educational initiatives including a quarterly newsletter and a lending library.Exercises leadership to develop implement and assess the education programs of the PERC.Develops and evaluates annually the established goals for PERC.Maintains an attractive Center that is inviting for parents and visitors.Researches specific special education informational literature in response to requests from parentsguardians and others.Keeps abreast of current state and federal guidelines in relationship to special education.Develops a communication system with principals so they are aware of the activities of PERC.Advises parentsguardians on procedural issues regarding their special needs child refers parental concerns to the appropriate special education administrator and assists with problem solving.Prepares and distributes pamphlets brochures and other literature to encourage use of the centers resources and participation in eventsactivities of the center.Greets parents into the center and assists them with locating and using center equipment materials and resources.Orders sorts and re-shelves materials and equipment.Maintains necessary files and records.Answers telephone and provides information regarding the centers resources and activities.Models nondiscriminatory practices in all activities.These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar related or a logical assignment to the position.Minimum Qualifications Knowledge Skills & Abilities RequiredMust possess a Bachelors degree or equivalent combination of education and experience in a special education environment or any equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the noted knowledge skills and abilities. Strong organizational and communication skills are required. Must complete the VADOE Understanding Special Education course within a year of hire date. Must possess some knowledge of basic special education procedures processes and programs and the ability to developpresent general training workshops. Must possess knowledge of standard office procedures practices equipment and clerical techniques. Must be proficient with Microsoft Office to include Access Excel Word and PowerPoint in order to present training and prepare pamphletsbrochures. Must possess the ability to copy documents maintain files and answer telephones. Must possess the ability to greet parentsthe general public and respond to their needs. Must possess the ability to use time efficiently and work with little supervision. Must possess excellent organizational interpersonal and communication skills. Must possess the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with parents and the general public.To view the full job description please visithttpswww.nnschools.orghrjobsdescriptionsParentResourceSpecialist.pdfThe Newport News Public Schools prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color religion sex ethnicity national origin age disability pregnancy and childbirth marital status or any other basis prohibited by law. Reference School Board Policies 2-334-4 and 4-6.For further information regarding the positions compensation please visit this LinkNNPS COMPENSATION.