Family and School Engagement Liaison

Chicopee School District • Chicopee, MA

123d

About The Position

The main objective of the Family Liaison in Chicopee Public Schools is to increase parent and family involvement. His or her role is to establish effective communication between home and school and improve community outreach and training opportunities for families that will impact student academic performance.

Requirements

• Associates Degree or equivalent experience is required.
• Prior experience or equivalent training in a school, early education, or community agency setting is highly desired.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in English and in a second language. (Spanish, Arabic, or other prevalent language preferred)
• Strong interpersonal skills, must be able to communicate, interact and work effectively and cooperatively with all people including those from diverse ethnic, cultural, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability to relate to and work with a variety of constituencies including but not limited to: administrators, teachers, other school staff members, families, students, visitors, and community and social service agencies.
• Ability to work weekend and evening hours as needed.
• Familiarity with computers and computer software programs, particularly Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
• Ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to work well as part of a team.
• Must maintain confidentiality.
• Self-motivated, flexible, and well organized.
• Detail oriented with analytical and problem solving skills, along with customer service abilities and other related characteristics.

Responsibilities

• Welcome new families to the schools and be available to them as a resource.
• Contact parents and families through phone calls, home visits, and meetings at school or district sites to encourage participation in school and/or district activities and events.
• Collaborates with all Family Liaisons to develop district activities and workshops to improve family engagement.
• Establish a family resource center in the school and/or a page on the school's website working with the Family and Community Engagement Facilitator and the Building Principal(s).
• Be available to explain services/programs/resources that are in the schools, the District, and the community that can benefit parents, guardians, caregivers, and their children.
• Attend meetings (both informational and training) with the Family and Community Engagement Facilitator and the Building Principal(s) and work with them to ensure federal compliance with the Family Involvement Policy under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
• Be present and assist in the Open Houses and other school and community events as assigned by the Family and Community Engagement Facilitator and/or the Building Principal(s).
• Assist the Family and Community Engagement Facilitator with conducting workshops and presentations for families and school staff on the importance of family engagement and being engaged in school.
• Work with the Family and Community Engagement Facilitator to implement and strengthen family-school communication, particularly related to navigating the school system, district policies and procedures, events, and opportunities for family involvement.
• Build and foster trust between families and the schools.
• Assist administration in building capacity to establish and maintain consistent, effective, and timely communication with families in a variety of ways in language and terms that they can understand to have active and meaningful participation in their children's education.
• Work with the Building Principal(s) and staff to establish a school climate in which families and students feel safe, welcomed, respected, and free to voice their opinions and concerns.
• Develop a positive working relationship with the other school support service personnel to assist with identifying problems, sharing information, and designing student and family programs.
• Utilize technology to inform, engage, educate, and empower families to be a part of the school culture and participate in school activities and events.
• Assist and support the Before-School, After-School, and Summer School Enrichment Programs.
• Other duties as assigned by the Family and Community Engagement Facilitator and/or the Building Principal(s).
• Family Liaison will be assigned to one or more buildings based on need.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Associate degree