Our work began more than 30 years ago with a place-based partnership in Appalachian Kentucky, where we’ve shown demographics don’t have to determine destiny. Today, we partner with rural leaders and allies across the country to share that work and build local partnerships that put young people on a path to economic mobility.
Position Summary
This is a key full-time, grant-funded position for Partners for Rural Impact and the Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) Initiative. Reporting to the Project Director, FSCS, the Family Engagement Implementation Specialist serves as the on-site implementation lead for evidence-backed family engagement strategies that strengthen partnerships among families, schools, and communities to improve outcomes for children and students.
The Family Engagement Implementation Specialist translates research into practice by implementing evidence-backed family engagement strategies through professional learning, coaching, technical assistance, implementation support, and continuous improvement.
Working collaboratively with PRI staff, Local Education Agencies (LEAs), Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), institutions of higher education, families, and community partners, the Family Engagement Implementation Specialist strengthens local capacity to implement high-quality family engagement practices that are sustainable beyond the life of the grant. The position is accountable for implementation fidelity, measurable outcomes, successful delivery of project objectives, and building sustainable local capacity through strong partnerships and continuous improvement.
The Family Engagement Implementation Specialist will dedicate 100% of time to FSCS program activities. This is a year-round role. The position leads and operates with the goal that All Rural Students Succeed.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. The requirements of the position are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required, with regular and predictable attendance essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
On-Site Implementation & Program Delivery
- Lead implementation of evidence-backed family engagement initiatives that align with grant objectives, organizational priorities, and approved implementation frameworks
- Deliver direct services, coaching, technical assistance, and professional learning for families, educators, schools, LEAs, community-based organizations, and community partners
- Implement cradle-to-career family engagement strategies that strengthen school readiness, academic success, college and career awareness, post-secondary access, and student success
- Facilitate parent leadership initiatives, family centered programing and other evidence-backed engagement models
- Maintain accountability for implementation fidelity, project deliverables, measurable outcomes, grant compliance, and required documentation
Partnership Development & Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and sustain collaborative partnerships that strengthen family-school-community relationships and improve outcomes for children and families
- Deliver direct services, coaching, technical assistance, and professional learning for families, educators, schools, LEAs, community-based organizations, and community partners
- Develop systems and structures that elevate authentic family voice, strengthen parent leadership, and increase meaningful family participation in school improvement efforts
Training & Capacity Building
- Design, develop, and facilitate engaging, evidence-backed professional learning for PRI staff, educators, families, LEAs, community organizations, and other partners
- Develop, maintain, and curate family engagement toolkits, implementation resources, communication materials, and evidence-backed practices that support consistent, high-quality implementation
- Coach school and community partners to strengthen organizational capacity and sustain family engagement practices beyond the grant period
Data, Evaluation, & Continuous Improvement
- Collect, analyze, interpret, and communicate quantitative and qualitative data to monitor implementation fidelity, measure outcomes, and evaluate program effectiveness
- Use implementation data, participant feedback, and continuous improvement processes to strengthen services, professional learning, and project outcomes
- Prepare reports, presentations, documentation, and other deliverables that support grant compliance, program evaluation, organizational learning, and continuous improvement
Position Location & Schedule
This position is designated as an onsite position at Knox Central High School and requires work to be performed at the assigned work location during Partners for Rural Impact’s (PRI) regular business hours. The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm ET. This position may occasionally require work during the early morning, evening, or weekend hours to support events, training, meetings, and business or program needs.
This is a 12-month, year-round position. Employees in this role follow PRI’s work schedule and holiday calendar and are expected to work during periods when the assigned school district is not in session, unless otherwise approved. Regular, reliable onsite attendance is an essential function of this position. Remote or hybrid work is not a standard arrangement for this role.
Routine regional travel is required to support business and program operations, including meetings, trainings, conferences, and other organizational events. Occasional statewide and national travel may also be required, including overnight stays, depending on business needs.
Minimum Qualifications
Education required to ensure success in this position:
- Associate’s degree and (3) years of experience in education, community engagement or related field required, Bachelor’s degree preferred
Experience required to ensure success in this position:
- Experience in human services
- Experience coordinating multifaceted programs
- Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate with rural schools and rural communities
- Familiarity with the community school model
Special skills, knowledge and abilities:
- Experience working in rural schools or communities
- Understanding of first generation, low-income youth and families
- A desire to develop innovative approaches to meet outcomes
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
- Capacity to manage multiple tasks and to meet deadlines and expectations
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- A commitment to students from diverse economic, social and cultural backgrounds
- Computer skills including data processing and financial spreadsheets; Microsoft Office, Adobe
License, certification, or registration necessary:
- Must have access to reliable transportation
- Successfully complete pre-employment background check
Physical requirements:
- Ability to work in a high energy office
- Ability to accurately communicate and exchange information with partners, stakeholders, and/or meeting participants
- Ability to operate standard office equipment and computer software programs
Environmental conditions:
- Routine school or office environment with interruptions and noise due to frequent visitors, staff, and faculty
- Ability to travel to meetings off-site
Additional Company Information
PRI offers a wide array of benefit options, to meet the financial, educational, and health needs of you and your family.
- Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
- Flexible spending accounts, plus an employee assistance program.
- Life and long-term disability insurance and retirement plan.
- Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, and annual holidays, in addition to paid parental leave.
- Tuition assistance and professional development for employees.
Partners for Rural Impact is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.
