Parent Educator (Youth Developer)

Summary Of Classification

At the school-based Family Resource Center (FRC), this class is accountable for providing support, encouragement, and information to families via group meetings, playgroups and personal home visits to help optimize child development during early years of life. This position requires works with the FRC Coordinator and Principal to facilitate and oversee operations at the Center for Enrichment under the Positive Youth Development component of the FRC.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Associates Degree from an accredited college or university in Child Development, Social Work, Psychology, Family Studies, Early Childhood Education or related field and any experience that would provide the knowledge, skills and abilities listed below.

• Credentials: Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a current Connecticut Motor Vehicle Class D Operator’s License.

• Must be willing to work flexible hours.

Continuing Education Requirements

Incumbents in this class are expected to be trained in and be current in all aspects of the program.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of and respect for the diverse backgrounds (cultural, linguistic, environmental) of students and how these characteristics affect the student’s life and learning;

• Knowledge of relevant laws, rules, regulations, and Board policies and District procedures;

• Knowledge of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Scientific Research Based Interventions (SRBI);

• Knowledge of the similarities and differences between cognitive, communicative, physical, social, and emotional needs of students and the factors that influence these different needs;

• Oral and written communication skills;

• Interpersonal and social skills;

• Ability to assist and reinforce elements that support a safe, healthy, and effective teaching and learning environment;

• Ability to assist in adapting instructional strategies and materials according to the needs of the student, under the direction of a teacher or administrator;

• Ability to be sensitive and respectful in communications regarding all children and families, regardless of differences in cultural heritage, lifestyle, values, and home environment;

• Ability to collect and record performance data on students under the direction of a licensed teacher, while respecting student confidentiality and the laws regarding ethical practices of assessment;

• Ability to collect objective and accurate information on student behavior to be provided to licensed professionals, as appropriate and directed by a licensed teacher;

• Ability to draw on knowledge and resources regarding a variety of developmental and age-appropriate instructional methods, techniques, and materials when supporting the instruction of the licensed teacher;

• Ability to effectively employ a variety of strategies that reinforce positive behavior;

• Ability to establish and maintain rapport with students;

• Ability to follow oral and written direction of licensed teachers, seeking clarification as needed;

• Ability to participate as a member of the educational team when requested to attend conferences with families or primary caregivers, with an understanding of some of the concerns of parents;

• Ability to prepare and organize materials to support teaching and learning, as directed by a licensed teacher;

• Ability to reinforce the development of student social skills by using appropriate strategies to modify the environment;

• Ability to use ethical practices for confidential communication about students;

• Ability to use strategies that promote the student’s independence;

• Ability to utilize learning styles theory in supporting instructional practices;

• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with families and other external stakeholders;

• Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Position Supervises

None

Essential Functions

• Attends professional training;

• Mets regularly with Coordinator to discuss progress of program;

• Compiles materials and create files for documentation of compliance with the parent involvement components;

• Demonstrates knowledge of parent involvement requirements in law;

• Documents all activities, assesses and records family progress;

• Ensures that parent involvement outreach efforts encompass the appropriate types of parent involvement to reach out to families;

• Helps to develop a family friendly environment at the school;

• Links parents with agencies in the greater Waterbury area that provide social services for families;

• Plans and conducts personal visits to homes of children ages 0-3 to support parents;

• Plans and coordinates parent meetings with children in program;

• Plans and coordinates parent trainings, workshops, seminars, and literacy classes;

• Plans classes for parents that model effective instructional strategies;

• Provides monthly tips, strategies, and ideas to parents;

• Provides regular communication with parents to apprise them of events and opportunities at the school;

• Provides school administration and teachers with research articles and handouts for parents;

• Screens enrolled children, evaluates family needs, refers clients to appropriate services;

• Serves as a liaison between administrators and staff regarding parent involvement issues;

• Sponsors parent involvement training sessions to help parents work with their children at home;

• Supports school-level initiatives;

• Surveys parents to assess the effectiveness of the school’s parent involvement program;

• Works to develop activities, and events geared to reach the families of program students;

• Performs other related duties as required.

Working Conditions, Physical And Mental Requirements

• Physical Demands: Depth Perception, Standing, Color Distinction, Walking, Peripheral Vision, Sitting, Driving, Lifting, Physical Strength: Carrying, Little Physical Effort (-10 lbs.), Pushing, Light Work (-20 lbs.), Pulling, Medium Work (20-50 lbs.), Climbing, Heavy Work (50-100 lbs.), Balancing, Very Heavy Work (100+ lbs.), Stooping, Environmental Conditions: Kneeling, Cold (50 degrees F or less), Crouching, Heat (90 degrees F or more), Crawling, Temperature Changes, Reaching, Wetness, Handling, Humidity, Grasping, Extreme Noise or Vibration, Twisting, Exposure to Chemicals, Feeling, Exposure to Gases and Fumes, Talking, Exposure to Unpleasant Odors, Hearing, Exposure to bodily fluids, Repetitive Motion, Exposure to dampness, Hand/Eye/Foot Coordination, Confinement to Small or Restricting Area, Visual Acuity/Near, Mechanical Hazards, Visual Acuity/Far, Physical danger or abuse

Working Conditions

• N: Not Required
• O: Occasionally Required
• F: Frequently Required
• C: Constantly Required

Environmental Conditions

• K: Kneeling
• C: Crouching
• H: Heat (90 degrees F or more)
• G: Exposure to Gases and Fumes
• T: Temperature Changes
• R: Repetitive Motion
• E: Exposure to bodily fluids
• P: Exposure to dampness
• A: Exposure to Unpleasant Odors
• B: Exposure to Chemicals
• S: Exposure to Noise or Vibration
• L: Exposure to Extreme Noise or Vibration
• I: Exposure to Extreme Heat or Cold
• J: Exposure to Extreme Humidity
• M: Exposure to Extreme Temperature Changes
• W: Exposure to Extreme Weather Conditions
• X: Exposure to Extreme Physical Conditions
• Z: Exposure to Extreme Biological Hazards
• Y: Exposure to Extreme Chemical Hazards
• V: Exposure to Extreme Physical Stress
• D: Exposure to Extreme Physical Fatigue
• U: Exposure to Extreme Physical Pain
• T: Exposure to Extreme Physical Discomfort
• Q: Exposure to Extreme Physical Risk
• W: Exposure to Extreme Physical Danger
• X: Exposure to Extreme Physical Abuse
• Y: Exposure to Extreme Physical Neglect
• Z: Exposure to Extreme Physical Isolation
• AA: Exposure to Extreme Physical Isolation in a Restricted Area
• AB: Exposure to Extreme Physical Isolation in a Confining Area
• AC: Exposure to Extreme Physical Isolation in a Restricted Area with Limited Movement
• AD: Exposure to Extreme Physical Isolation in a Confining Area with Limited Movement
• AE: Exposure to Extreme Physical Isolation in a Restricted Area with Limited Movement and Limited Vision
• AF: Exposure to Extreme Physical Isolation in a Confining Area with Limited Movement and Limited Vision
• AG: Exposure to Extreme Physical Isolation in a Restricted Area with Limited Movement and Limited Vision and Limited Hearing
• AH: Exposure to Extreme Physical Isolation in a Confining Area with Limited Movement and Limited Vision and Limited Hearing
• AI: Exposure to Extreme Physical Isolation in a Restricted Area with Limited Movement and Limited Vision and Limited Hearing and Limited Touch
• AJ: Exposure to Extreme Physical Isolation in a Confining Area with Limited Movement and Limited Vision and Limited Hearing and Limited Touch
• AK: Exposure to Extreme Physical Isolation in a Restricted Area with Limited Movement and Limited Vision and Limited Hearing and Limited Touch and Limited Thought
• AL: Exposure to Extreme Physical Isolation in a Confining Area with Limited Movement and Limited Vision and Limited Hearing and Limited Touch and Limited Thought
• AM: Exposure to Extreme Physical Isolation in a Restricted Area with Limited Movement and Limited Vision and Limited Hearing and Limited Touch and Limited Thought and Limited Emotion
• AN: Exposure to Extreme Physical Isolation in a Confining Area with Limited Movement and Limited Vision and Limited Hearing and Limited Touch and Limited Thought and Limited Emotion
• AO: Exposure to Extreme Physical Isolation in a Restricted Area with Limited Movement and Limited Vision and Limited Hearing and Limited Touch and Limited Thought and Limited Emotion and Limited Will
• AP: Exposure to Extreme Physical Isolation in a Confining Area with Limited Movement and Limited Vision and Limited Hearing and Limited Touch and Limited Thought and Limited Emotion and Limited Will
• AQ: Exposure to Extreme Physical Isolation in a Restricted Area with Limited Movement and Limited Vision and Limited Hearing and Limited Touch and Limited Thought and Limited Emotion and Limited Will and Limited Mind
• AR: Exposure to Extreme Physical Isolation in a Confining Area with Limited Movement and Limited Vision and Limited Hearing and Limited Touch and Limited Thought and Limited Emotion and Limited Will and Limited Mind
• AS: Exposure to Extreme Physical Isolation in a Restricted Area with Limited Movement and Limited Vision and Limited Hearing and Limited Touch and Limited Thought and Limited Emotion and Limited Will