Family Engagement & Advocacy Specialist (1-Year Grant Funded Position) - #134676

KIPP Memphis Public Schools is part of KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program), a national network of tuition-free, open-enrollment, public schools that are successful in helping students from educationally underserved communities develop the knowledge, skills, character, and habits needed to succeed in college and the competitive world beyond.  There are currently 280 KIPP schools across the nation serving nearly 120,000 students.  Founded in 2002, KIPP Memphis serves over 1,000 K-12 students in our three North Memphis schools and almost 900 alumni on their journeys to-and-through college with our KIPP Forward Program.

As a leader in providing high quality education for students who need us most, the KIPP Memphis team and family serves as a model of excellence and collaborates with other community organizations to raise the overall quality of education in Memphis. The mission of KIPP Memphis is to create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose - college, career, and beyond - so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.

ROLE OVERVIEW

We are seeking a highly motivated and dedicated individual to join our team as a Full-Time Community Advocacy and Communications Specialist. This position plays a crucial role in fostering positive relationships with our community and ensuring effective communication between our organization and its stakeholders. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing advocacy strategies, managing community engagement initiatives, and supporting various communication channels. The Associate will work in partnership with the Managing Director of Communications to strategically execute the region’s advocacy initiatives including assessing and identifying resources to address the needs of KIPP Memphis families, engaging and empowering KIPP Memphis families across varying demographics, and promoting parental and family engagement in schools. This is an excellent opportunity for someone passionate about making a difference and creating a meaningful impact through community advocacy and communication.

This is a one year grant-funded position which has an option of renewal dependent upon funding.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Community and Family Engagement (40%)

• Develops and supports the execution and progress monitoring of advocacy initiatives, ensuring the accomplishment of key milestones in alignment with the initiative timelines. 
• Serve as the primary liaison between the region and community members, ensuring their voices are heard, and feedback is considered in decision-making processes.
• Builds and administers bi-annual needs surveys to families and collects and analyzes survey data.
• Plans and supports the marketing and facilitation of bi-annual parent forums, capturing forum dialogue and parent feedback to build strong relationships and promote positive communal interactions. 
• Forms meaningful connections with current KIPP Memphis families who identify as Latinx and seeks opportunities to attract potential Latinx families to the region
• Attends community meetings, town halls, and relevant industry events to stay informed about local issues and strengthen the organization's presence in the community.

Partnership and Resource Sourcing (30%)

• Uses trend data from needs surveys to identify and build coalitions with potential partners whose services and/or resources address familial challenges
• Develops plan of action to connect families with and promote awareness of partner services and resources
• Cultivate and maintain positive relationships with key community stakeholders, local leaders, NGOs, and government officials on behalf of KIPP Memphis families.

Communication Support (20%) 

• Coordinate and manage communication campaigns to raise awareness of events, initiatives, and community outreach programs.
• Respond to inquiries and feedback from the community through various channels, such as email, social media, and direct communication.
• Collaborate with internal teams to align community advocacy efforts with broader organizational goals.

Other Responsibilities (10%) 

• Meets regularly with supervisor to discuss progress of advocacy initiatives, challenges, and resources needed
• Other responsibilities as determined by organizational need and the staff member’s interests

QUALIFICATIONS

• REQUIRED:  Bachelor’s Degree in community relations, advocacy, communications  or related concentrations
• REQUIRED:  Two (2) years of relevant experience in community and/or family engagement, which may include: full-time and part-time employment; paid or unpaid internships; sustained volunteer work; or other pertinent experience
• REQUIRED: Fluency in Spanish (Pass Spanish Fluency test)
• Experience in planning and executing events
• At least two (2) professional reference contacts 

KEY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• A deep passion for social justice and equity for all children; believes that all student can achieve at the highest levels, regardless of demography 
• Must have a keen understanding of the zipcodes KMPS serves
• Excellent writing skills and detail orientation
• Ability to understand complex issues and communicate clearly for different audiences
• Strength in building and maintaining partner relationships
• High attention to detail and high personal standards for work quality
• Ability to work in an environment with multiple priorities and tight deadlines
• Flexibility, tenacity, high quality work, resourcefulness, teamwork, and a growth mindset
• Integrity and commitment to KIPP Memphis Collegiate Schools’ mission and values
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite. Proficiency managing websites, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter preferred.

This description is intended to describe the type of work being performed by a person assigned to this position.  It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required by the employee.

KIPP Memphis is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying to the school. KMPS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin