Family Engagement Specialist
State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG)
Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
Office of Special Education
Location: Based in Little Rock
Travel: Moderate travel required
Travel Expenses: Reimbursed within specified guidelines
Posting Deadline: Open until position filled
The Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) – Office of Special Education (OSE) is seeking a highly qualified Family Engagement Specialist to support the implementation of the Arkansas State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG), funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).
The Family Engagement Specialist will oversee the development and implementation of strategies to strengthen school-family partnerships, with a focus on trust-building, shared understanding, and collaboration to support student learning. This role plays a critical role in advancing statewide priorities, including the Meaningful Access and Participation (MAP) project, by helping schools intentionally engage families as collaborative partners in continuous improvement efforts.
This position involves capacity-building, training, and coaching of administrators, educators, and families to create accessible environments and co-develop practices that elevate family voice and strengthen student outcomes.
Key Responsibilities:
● Provide on-site and virtual coaching, professional development, and technical assistance to administrators, educators, and family liaisons to support the implementation of evidence-based and high-leverage practices.
● Collaborate with grant partners to develop, adapt, and disseminate family-friendly tools, communication resources, and training materials to increase family engagement and support student learning.
● Support the implementation of statewide family engagement strategies and participate in workgroups aligned with grant priorities and the State Improvement Plan.
● Co-create protocols and processes for collaborative discussions with district and school leadership teams, grade-level teams, and special education teams to promote shared understanding and alignment of supports.
● Assist schools and districts in developing and refining systems that promote family engagement and align with tiered systems of support (MTSS) and the Meaningful Access and Participation Project.
● Collaborate with the grant personnel to monitor implementation fidelity, document activities, and report outcomes.
Minimum Qualifications
● Valid Arkansas Teaching License/Certification in elementary or secondary education.
● Master’s degree in Special Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership, or a related field.
● Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in Arkansas public schools, with demonstrated success in classroom instruction and/or coaching.
● Experience supporting school or district improvement efforts for family engagement.
● Experience designing and delivering professional development for educators and/or families.
● Knowledge of Universal Design for Learning, high-leverage practices, evidence-based instructional practices, and multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS).
● Strong communication, collaboration, and facilitation skills.
Preferred Qualifications
● Experience providing coaching or professional development to adult learners.
● Experience leading or supporting collaborative school improvement processes.
● Demonstrated ability to use digital tools for collaboration, data tracking, and reporting.
● Knowledge and experience in implementing the Dual Capacity-Building framework.
● Experience working with families of students with disabilities or in programs supporting family-school collaboration and partnerships.
● Certification in Cognitive Coaching, Adaptive Schools, or other facilitation and coaching frameworks.
Additional Information
This position is based in Little Rock and managed by the Guy Fenter Education Service Cooperative under the coordination of the State Improvement Plan Coordinator at the DESE-OSE. This position is grant-funded through September 30, 2030, contingent upon continued federal funding.
Compensation and Benefits
● Anticipated Starting Salary: Competitive, commensurate with experience, certification, and qualifications.
● Contract Length: 12 months (260 days)
● Benefits: Health insurance, paid personal and sick leave, and Arkansas Teacher Retirement System participation.
Application Process
To apply, submit the following to Treva Bradley at Treva.Bradley@ade.arkansas.gov.
Subject line: Application for Family Engagement Specialist
● Resume
● Contact information for three (3) professional references
The Guy Fenter Educational Service Cooperative is an Equal Opportunity Employer.