Parent Resource Specialist

Job Summary

The 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 child's 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 Center's annual state grant, from submission through implementation and monitoring.

Essential Duties

• Develops 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 parents/guardians 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 Center's 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 parents/guardians 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 parents/guardians 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 center's resources and participation in events/activities 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 center's 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 Required)

• Must possess a Bachelor's 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 develop/present 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 pamphlets/brochures.
• Must possess the ability to copy documents, maintain files, and answer telephones.
• Must possess the ability to greet parents/the 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 visit https://www.nnschools.org/hr/jobs/descriptions/ParentResourceSpecialist.pdf. For further information regarding the position's compensation, please visit this link, NNPS COMPENSATION.