OUR MISSION: A network of parents working to build and engage parents and others to ensure every child has a champion.

OUR VISION: Parents are the driving force ensuring conditions exist for Metro-Detroit children to thrive.

The Detroit Parent Network Is Michigan’s Premier Parent Engagement Organization That Educates, Equips And Empowers Parents As Champions For Their Children And For Change In Their Schools And Community.

Growing from a start-up nonprofit in 2002, Detroit Parent Network is a membership network of more than 1,200 parents serving low-income families that are predominantly African American and Latino. DPN works to improve parent involvement in education, which is proven to promote child success. DPN is also Michigan’s premier parent membership association with 1,200 members who pay a small annual fee for a wide array of member benefits. DPN encourages our parent members to participate at every level of involvement with the school and at all stages of their child’s development.

A feature of DPN’s core programs is elevating parents to personal transformation which elevates their own pathway to literacy, workforce development and helps them support the aspirations of their children. DPN’s Core Parent Power Trainings are Parent Leadership, Parent Advocacy, Parenting Education (Love & Logic), Facilitator Training, and programs that foster a parent’s involvement in their child’s education. Central to DPN’s model is the recruitment, support and training of parents as peer-peer trainers that go on to become Home-based Early Childhood Literacy Coaches, and Train other Parents in early childhood to high school and college settings.

DPN utilizes a neighborhood-based framework for our work engaging families and partners on the Eastside, Westside, Central and Southwest neighborhoods. Each area team is responsible for partnering with organizations, schools, and community groups in their service areas. The DPN manager also has a parent program assistant (PPA) to assist with program delivery, promotion, and recruitment in their neighborhoods. In addition, each sector has a Parent Advisory Team (PAT) consisting of up to 20 parent members representing each zip code in the area. The Parent Advisory Teams assist the area team in assessing and addressing needs in their neighborhoods. The PATs also help to identify and engage local partners, from neighborhood-based organizations to small neighborhood businesses. Partners can be involved in everything from an individual event to hosting the DPN core programs, providing seven weeks of parent training. DPN also contracts with early care and learning providers and schools to provide specific parent workshops as identified by the school.

DPN’s work in the community includes new partnerships in Health to better connect families and intentional work to lift up Special Needs Families as a population of parents who have powerful stories, recommendations and needs that too often are overlooked.

As a result of its advocacy work with families DPN is also pleased to provide leadership in helping parents understand and strategize around the challenges of Michigan’s Third Grade Reading Legislation. Accordingly it has brought together parents, educators and advocates in bilingual workshops to better understand the legislation. While families learn the penalties and opportunities in the law, there is simultaneous emphasis on the need to embrace and encourage early literacy and reading as essential to lifelong learning and career attainment.

In 2017-18, DPN provided programming through contracts with six schools (both district and charter), as well as providing grant-funded services to eleven schools, sixteen Head Start and child care facilities, four City of Detroit recreation centers, and some twenty nonprofit and faith-based organizations. Services include training, support groups, workshops and parent/child activities. DPN in addition to its training offers two Pathways programs. Pathways to Literacy a home-based, peer-to-peer literacy program for children ages 1.5 to 4.5 years old that is also offered in Spanish. In the summer of 2018 DPN embarked on building an innovative pilot entitled Pathways to Education and Careers as a multi-generational workforce development pilot that already has partners in higher education, workforce development and a exciting partnership with the Detroit College Access Network DCAN.

Pathways to Education and Careers is a collaborative approach that infuses parent engagement and an equity framework across adult education, colleges, workforce agencies and corporate partners in order to reduce inter-generational poverty. Through its history of supporting and empowering parents, DPN understands that a deeper and more equitable approach with Families is required particularly in Metro Detroit where so many young people and adults are seemingly locked out of the economic development that thrives in Downtown and the suburbs.

The Administrative Assistant (AA) must have relevant work experience in public or private
organizations. In addition to a high level of administrative office skills the position calls for maturity, reliability and a passion for quality and teamwork supporting the executive staff of a nonprofit committed to the education and empowerment of parents and families. The AA will report to the CEO and support DPN Management Staff and Board activities. The AA and will play a multi-functional role in the organization working with various constituents as well as the DPN staff, board trustees, parents, funders, corporate and community-based organizations, government officials and other key stakeholders. The Administrative Assistant will have a unique opportunity to grow professionally and play a pivotal role on the team and support the organization’s growth. He/she will analyze information on our schools,
community and philanthropic partners for external audiences, engage in, document program activities and events, provide support at leadership team and board meetings and will work closely with other members of the DPN team on various tasks and projects. We are looking for an individual who has the capacity and desire to join an entrepreneurial nonprofit organization, and shares our passion for parent engagement and empowerment. This is an opportunity to work closely with the thought-leaders of a 17-year old nonprofit that is recognized throughout metro Detroit.

Responsibilities:

1. Scheduling and Executive support—Assist with coordinating the CEO’s calendar, make travel arrangements, coordinate contacts lists and files, process expense reports and credit card reimbursements, print documents, check voicemail/e-mail, create summaries, prepare materials and meetings, communicate with stakeholders
2. Writing and communication for external audiences – Drafting and proofread documents to ensure accurate and effective communication, maintain daily e-mail and phone correspondences. Assist in drafting reports, and presentations. Respond to information requests from external partners.
3. Office management- Coordinate office, reception and facility supplies, materials and
communications. Order and take inventory of office supplies, organize physical and electronic files, assure document updates and controls, order catering and assist in planning in-office events and assist with external events as requested, assure overall organization of volunteers as needed
4. Community Outreach & Board Support —Assist the Chief Executive Officer in communications and outreach to external organizations, assisting with social-media postings, attending meetings, note taking, archiving and organizing key records and assistance with community and DPN Board Meetings
5. Liaison for visitors and guests - maintain a warm and organized office, and greet visitors, including conducting tours and visits as requested, following up with visitors and assuring contact documentation whether working in the office or in a remote setting

The Ideal Candidate Must Be Competent In: 

Multi-tasking, written and verbal communication, office management, project or event management, Microsoft Office and Google Suite, Online Conference Software and basic social media. The Administrative Assistant is expected to be well organized, have the ability to work independently, be creative, work as part of a team and take direction.  The position requires working some evenings or weekends for special events. There is flexibility to work remotely during the pandemic and at the DPN administrative office as requested.

Skills and Characteristics:

1. Strong writing and proof-reading skills

2. Detail-oriented, highly organized and a self-starter

3. Strong verbal and written communication skills

4. Strong interpersonal and teaming skills

5. Highly motivated, organized and results focused 

6. Experienced in event coordination or management of small and large events

7. Experience in assisting with creating, tracking and reporting on budgets, expenses and revenue

8. Strong computer technical skills and experience with Microsoft Suite, Adobe Acrobat 

9. Interest in performing a critical support role while learning in a fast-paced environment 

10. Flexible, able to work autonomously and collaboratively, as well as take direction as needed

11. Results-oriented individual – a flexible thinker and doer

12. Belief in the Detroit Parent Network’s mission and vision to support parents in Detroit 

13. Maturity, humility, strong work ethic, sense of humor, and “roll-up-my-sleeves” attitude

14. Creative and willing to share ideas and opportunities to improve DPN 

15. A life-long learner willing to participate in paid and unpaid professional development

Educational Background and Work Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent preferred with related work experience. 

• Minimum of associate degree plus substantial work experience in business office, school, non-profit agency, government or other related settings. 

• 2  years’ relevant work experience required.

• 2 references and sample work products required

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Detroit Parent Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer that fully and actively supports equal access for all qualified applicants and employees, regardless of race, color, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, gender orientation, disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category in its employment practices, programs and activities.All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.