About this role
Dorchester County Public Schools is currently accepting applications for Parent Partner Liaison (Family Support) within the Special Education Department. Under the direction of the Special Education Director and Supervisor, the Parent Partner Liaison supports families as they navigate the special education process and works to strengthen effective family involvement throughout the district. This position develops and facilitates parent workshops, connects families with resources, supports communication between families and school staff, and assists with family support initiatives within the Department of Special Education. This is an hourly position without benefits with a maximum of 20 hours per week. DUTIES:
• Designs and develops parent training workshops related to special education.
• Researches topics and develops goals, objectives, resource materials, and evaluation tools for parent education programs.
• Conducts parent and community needs assessments.
• Develops, administers, and evaluates surveys.
• Interviews parents, program staff, and community service agencies to identify needs and available resources.
• Maintains accurate records of services provided.
• Prepares reports related to parent education programs, workshops, and activities.
• Collects and presents data related to parent involvement activities occurring throughout district schools.
• Participates in committees, panels, work teams, task groups, school meetings, forums, and other district-wide meetings related to family and parent involvement.
• Researches and obtains resource materials for dissemination to schools and families.
• Develops an equitable system for providing family support services to schools.
• Reviews current literature and effective practices to identify relevant areas for future programming.
• Maintains current knowledge of effective family engagement practices and trends.
• Assists with other Department of Special Education Family Support Center activities, including extended school year and surrogacy-related activities, as assigned.
• Maintains the Family Support Center resource library and related inventory.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Special Education Director, Supervisor, or their designee.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Postsecondary coursework or an associate or bachelor's degree in education, social work, counseling, or a related field preferred.
• Three or more years of experience working with children with disabilities and their families, school staff, and related service providers.
• Being the parent of a student with a disability is preferred.
• Basic understanding of the special education process.
• Ability to establish positive relationships with families and individuals from diverse cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively present information to both small and large audiences.
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office, databases, spreadsheets, word processing software, internet-based applications, and virtual communication platforms.
• Knowledge of MOIFSP/MOIEP preferred.
• Strong grammar, spelling, proofreading, and organizational skills.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding student and family information.
• Proficiency in a second language, such as Spanish or another language reflective of the district's student population, preferred but not required.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with administrators, central office and school-based staff, students, parents, community organizations, and related service providers.
• Must be able to travel to homes within Dorchester County and attend out-of-town business or professional meetings as required.