About this role
This is a grant funded position that ends September 30, 2032. PURPOSE The GEAR UP Coordinator of Student & Family Engagement is responsible for coordinating, implementing, and supporting student and family engagement initiatives designed to increase student awareness, participation, and successful transition to postsecondary education and career opportunities. The Coordinator will support the implementation of GEAR UP programming across participating schools and serve as a liaison among Fort Wayne Community Schools, students, families, school staff, community organizations, and postsecondary partners. The Coordinator will develop and coordinate meaningful opportunities that engage students and families in college and career readiness, academic success, postsecondary planning, financial aid awareness, career exploration, and successful transitions across educational levels. The Coordinator will work collaboratively with the GEAR UP Supervisor, GEAR UP Advisors, school counselors, school administrators, district departments, community organizations, and postsecondary partners to ensure student and family engagement activities are aligned with GEAR UP goals, district priorities, and grant requirements. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor's degree
• Three (3) years' experience working with students or families in an educational, social service or related environment preferred.
• Valid Indiana driver's license
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Leadership and Program Coordination
• Responsible for coordinating, implementing, and overseeing GEAR UP student and family engagement initiatives across participating schools.
• Responsible for planning, coordinating, and supporting student and family programs, activities, workshops, events, college visits, career exploration experiences, and transition activities aligned with GEAR UP goals.
• Collaborates with the GEAR UP Supervisor, GEAR UP Advisors, school counselors, administrators, and district departments to support effective implementation of GEAR UP programming.
• Collaborates with the Director of College & Career Readiness and other district departments, including Title I, ELL, Special Education, and other appropriate departments, to coordinate resources and develop programming that supports student and family engagement.
• Coordinates with school staff to identify opportunities to increase student and family participation in college and career readiness activities.
• Collaborates with community organizations, businesses, postsecondary institutions, and other youth-serving organizations to develop and coordinate meaningful opportunities for GEAR UP students and families.
• Supports the development and implementation of programming focused on college awareness, career exploration, postsecondary planning, financial aid, academic success, and transitions.
• Supports transition programming designed to help students and families successfully navigate key educational transitions, including middle school to high school and high school to postsecondary education or career.
• Responsible for assisting identified students and families in developing awareness of and accessing resources that support their postsecondary college and career readiness goals.
• Serves as a champion and advocate for meaningful student and family engagement and equitable access to college and career readiness opportunities.
• Collaborates with the Summer Recruitment and Retention team and other district staff to expose students and families to FWCS programs, opportunities, and resources.
Student Engagement
• Coordinates student engagement opportunities that connect GEAR UP students with college, career, and community experiences.
• Supports the implementation of activities designed to increase student knowledge of postsecondary education, career pathways, financial aid, and available college and career resources.
• Develops and coordinates student workshops, enrichment activities, college visits, career exploration activities, and other GEAR UP experiences.
• Works with GEAR UP Advisors and school-based staff to identify student engagement needs and opportunities for increased participation.
• Supports efforts to ensure GEAR UP students have access to meaningful and developmentally appropriate college and career readiness experiences.
• Promotes student ownership of postsecondary planning and encourages students to actively participate in activities that support their academic and career goals.
Family Engagement
• Coordinates and supports family engagement opportunities that provide parents/guardians with information, resources, and strategies to support student academic success and postsecondary planning.
• Plans and organizes parent/guardian workshops, family programs, parent academies, and other engagement opportunities.
• Communicates with parents/guardians regarding available college and career readiness opportunities, resources, events, and supports.
• Provides parents/guardians with information regarding postsecondary education, career pathways, financial aid, college access, and other resources as appropriate.
• Advises and supports parents/guardians in effectively communicating and collaborating with school staff regarding student academic, college, and career goals.
• Develops strategies to increase family participation in GEAR UP activities and reduce barriers to participation.
• Serves as a liaison between families, schools, community organizations, and district departments to support successful engagement and access to resources.
Communication, Collaboration, and Community Partnerships
• Serves as a liaison and support for the development of student, family, school, and community programs, resources, and partnerships.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with students, families, school staff, administrators, community organizations, businesses, and postsecondary institutions.
• Collaborates with community youth-serving organizations to ensure programming is aligned with student academic, college, and career readiness needs.
• Represents GEAR UP and Fort Wayne Community Schools at appropriate community, school, and family events.
• Communicates program opportunities, expectations, schedules, and resources clearly and effectively to students, families, staff, and community partners.
Data, Documentation, and Grant Reporting
• Responsible for preparing and maintaining accurate records related to student and family participation, engagement activities, services, and program outcomes.
• Tracks participation and engagement data for GEAR UP activities and uses data to identify opportunities for increased student and family engagement.
• Maintains documentation necessary to support GEAR UP program implementation, accountability, and grant reporting requirements.
• Responsible for completion of mandated GEAR UP and district reports.
• Responsible for submitting required reports, documentation, participation records, and other materials to the GEAR UP Supervisor and/or Director of College and Career Readiness in accordance with established timelines and requirements.
• Supports the collection, organization, and review of data used to monitor progress toward GEAR UP goals and objectives.
• Maintains confidentiality of student and family information in accordance with district policies and applicable laws and regulations.
Communication and Support
• Responsible for serving as a liaison and support for development of family and community programs, resources and structures.
• Responsible for advising and training parents/guardians on how to engage in effective communication with administrators, teachers, and staff during parent/teacher conferences, meetings, and other engagements.
• Responsible for collaborating with the Director of College and Career Readiness to plan and organize family activities, programs and parent academies.
• Responsible for communicating with parents/guardians the information and resources needed regarding any and all support activities to enhance student opportunities.
• Responsible for preparing and maintaining a variety of detailed records and reports.
• Responsible for completion of mandated reports.
• Responsible for submitting all necessary reports and documents to the Director of College and Career Readiness in accordance with established timelines and requirements.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge
• Knowledge of student and family engagement strategies.
• Knowledge of college and career readiness practices and postsecondary pathways.
• Knowledge of community resources, businesses, youth-serving organizations, and postsecondary institutions.
• Knowledge of strategies for engaging families from diverse backgrounds and reducing barriers to participation.
• Knowledge of student support systems and resources within an educational environment.
• Knowledge of data collection, documentation, and reporting practices.
Skills
• Skilled at developing and maintaining effective relationships with students, families, school personnel, community organizations, businesses, and postsecondary partners.
• Skilled at collaborating within and across teams.
• Skilled at effective listening and communication.
• Skilled at presenting information professionally, concisely, and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Skilled at planning, coordinating, and implementing programs and events.
• Skilled at organizing and managing multiple projects, activities, and deadlines.
• Skilled at maintaining accurate and detailed records.
• Skilled at using sound judgment and problem-solving skills.
• Skilled at using data and information to monitor participation and inform program planning.
• Skilled at working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Abilities
• Ability to develop and coordinate student and family engagement activities and related services.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents/guardians, colleagues, administrators, businesses, community organizations, and postsecondary institutions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple responsibilities and competing deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to collect, maintain, analyze, and report program participation and outcome data.
• Ability to solve problems and exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to prioritize conflicting needs while handling matters expeditiously, proactively, and following through on projects to successful completion.
• Ability to interact with staff at all levels in a fast-paced environment while remaining flexible, proactive, resourceful, efficient, and professional.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive student and family information.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as required for student and family engagement activities.
• Ability to travel between schools and community locations as required.
• Ability to manage stress and adapt to changing program needs.
• Supports the FWCS Schools of Success mission to empower all students to reach their potential through equitable and relevant community-connected experiences to ensure students achieve at least one of the 4E's - (Enrollment, Employment, Enlistment, or Entrepreneurship.)
• Positively promotes and embodies the FWCS Schools of Success six core competencies in our daily work: Creativity and Innovation, Critical and Analytical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication, Cultural Agility, and Self-Direction
• Perform related duties, as assigned.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS To perform the essential functions of this job effectively and safely, employees must meet the following physical qualifications:
• Communication Skills: Ability to speak clearly and hear effectively in various environments.
• Manual Dexterity: Adeptness in the use of hands and fingers.
• Postural Endurance: Sit or stand for prolonged periods, as the job requires.
• Flexibility: Ability to bend at the waist, kneel, or crouch to perform specific duties.
• Visual Acuity: Close vision ability with the capacity to adjust focus.
• Mobility: Freedom to sit or walk at will throughout the work environment.
• Strength and Stamina: Capability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to twenty (25) pounds or more.
FWCS will reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. FWCS will reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.