Program Associate Ii - Early Learning Engagement

Job Title

Position Title:Program Associate II - Early Learning Engagement

Location: The Office of Family and Community Engagement (FACE)

Compensation: $45,912 - $73,336

Reports to: Senior Director, Parent Academy

Bargaining Unit: OSAS

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Telecommuting Eligibility: Eligibe for telecommuting up to 20% (one (1) day per week)

This position is grant funded and the grant funding is set to expire June 30, 2026. This position may not be funded beyond this date and this position may be eliminated when funding ceases.

Position Summary:

The Program Associate II will play a critical role in creating programs for families with children early childhood aged students in and around Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) schools. This position will support family engagement correlated with the district early education expansion across DPSCD schools and collaborate with the Early Learning department, enrollment, and schools teams to connect and engage families through a series of organized events, and outreach activities. This position will also host a series of parent workshops and training aimed to support and educate parents on the benefits of early education and opportunities available. The Program Associate II supports ongoing communication to family members, assists schools with parent programs and workshops, leads engagement with families, volunteers and community members and coordinate logistics and activities related to District and FACE sponsored events.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must possess and provide evidence of a bachelor's degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university.
• Two (2) years of experience working in a Early Learning to grade -12 educational setting, preferably working in the area of outreach, program creation or community organizing.
• Experience recruiting students and families to enroll in early childhood programming (preferred).
• Two (2) years of experience managing complex projects and initiatives, preferably in a nonprofit, education, and/or entrepreneurial environment that serves low-income students and communities.
• Demonstrated success building trust and strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, including families and school leaders, across different communities, preferably with a focus on early education/early childhood.
• Demonstrated knowledge of GSRP requirements and regulations
• Comfort producing clear and easily understandable reports and using data to assess impact.
• Willingness and ability to work non-standard hours including some evenings and weekends.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel locally to various schools and sites throughout the school district.
• Fluency in all Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint).

Essential Functions:

• Develop a relationship with leaders and staff of schools' Pre-K programs and use data to provide targeted support to early childhood staff and school leaders to ensure students successfully matriculate into kindergarten
• Collaborate with the District Early Learning department to stay current on the most recent Early Learning initiatives, programs and requirements.
• Coordinate with the Early Learning Department to organize parent workshops and activities to promote the programs districtwide.
• Engage directly with families who exit GSRP Pre-K programs and assist them with re-enrolling in another location in DPSCD.
• Target and engage individual schools to design unique opportunities for parents at the school level.
• Work with churches, community organizations, and other family-serving entities to collaborate on programming and recruitment.
• Organize summer outreach activities.
• Participate and represent the district in key partnerships with external organizations.
• Support the enrollment process by monitoring applications and enrollment data; work with targeted schools on outreach and recruitment.
• Engage parents and establish a team of parent ambassadors to support PreK programming.
• Support the coordination and reporting of grant program activities.
• Collect and share data as appropriate.
• Develop relationships with families, ensuring alignment with broader DPSCD recruitment efforts.
• Support the engagement of parent leaders leading parent workshops.
• Increase parent participation through a consistent recruitment and promotion planning initiative.
• Increase the inclusion of relevant parent programs in the community and in the Parent Academy Catalog.
• Target popular sessions to promote via multiple social media platforms.
• Engage in various school and community events including but not limited to:
  • Neighborhood Canvassing
  • School-based parent meetings and workshops
  • Community events and activities within and external to the district¿¿¿¿¿¿
  • Districtwide events including enrollment, back to school, and parent/student conferences.
• Assist with the promotion and organization of the school's Parent Academy workshops.
• Attend and recruit other families to attend Parent Academy classes, Student Advisory Council (SAC), as well as other various community meetings.
• Attend school Parent meetings.
• Distribute important information/communications (e.g. flyers, announcements, brochures)
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Security Clearance:

Internal Applicants

If you are a current Detroit Public Schools Community District employee, you do not have to submit to a new security clearance, unless your new role requires a different type of criminal background check.

External Applicants

In alignment with Michigan law, if you are hired to fill a position, you will be required to submit to a Detroit Public Schools Community District criminal background check. Information regarding required background checks will be shared at point of hire.

Method of Application:

Applicants must apply through the online application system. Only applications submitted through the online application system will be considered for any posted position and all applications require a resume to be considered.

Successful candidates are required to submit official transcript(s) at point of offer to hire. Teaching service outside of the Detroit Public Schools Community District must be verified by the applicant's prior employer(s) prior to hire. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide all documentation (including copies) as requested.

Applicants requesting assistance during the application process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email at recruitment@detroitk12.org or phone at (313) 873-6897.

DPSCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, religion, height, weight, citizenship, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category, in its educational programs and activities,including employment and admissions opportunities. Contact the Civil Rights Coordinator for more information at (313) 240-4377 or detroitk12.org/compliance.