BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION: The Family Liaison will serve as a liaison between families, the school, the community and the Parent and Community Engagement PACE division in an effort to increase effective communication between all educational stakeholders.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB: 

A.  Connecting Families to Resources

1. Provide information on available Parent and Community Engagement (PACE) events and resources including Springfield Parent Academy courses and activities
2. Support families with social needs by providing information on appropriate community resources
3. Assist parents with referrals to district programs and services
4. Actively promote district and school events and family activities 

B.  Promoting Student Success

1. Help families understand district/school policies and procedures such as: attendance, homework, uniforms and other related information in the Student/Parent Handbook
2. Create ways for parents and teachers to personally meet to address students’ academic progress (i.e. Parent- Teacher Conferences)
3. Help parents with general questions and basic information related to special education and other academic related programs
4. Assist families with parenting skills to support their children
5. Work with teachers and other staff to develop learning kits to use in home visits 

C.  Building Relationships with Families

1. Welcome families, personally meet them and introduce them to the school community
2. Identify potential Parent/Teacher Organization (PTO) & School Centered Decision Making (SCDM) parents and personally meet them for active participation
3. Create ways for families and teachers to personally meet
4. Participate in school events such open houses, coffee hours to personally connect with parents
5. Act as a liaison between families and school staff when issues arise, more information needs to be shared or cultural differences are a barrier 

D.  Assessing the Needs of Families

1. Document needs of families through Power School and other tracking tools
2. Using observation and other variety of techniques; identify the specific needs of families and their progress
3. Develop a support plan to work with the families 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JOB:

(Minimum requirements)

• Work in collaboration with parents, teachers, counselors, and attendance officers to enhance communication between school and home
• Attend parent engagement capacity building workshops geared towards parents and/or school staff
• Work in collaboration with parent and community organizations to build the capacity of parents and families
• Work in collaboration with the PACE Center Team and community groups to support district activities and the Springfield Parent Academy
• Assist school staff with identifying potential translation services

EDUCATIONAL & JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:    

• Associates Degree from an accredited college preferred or minimum of two years of experience in family services or related human services field
• Communicate effectively with families in a friendly and supportive manner
• Ability to work as an effective team member in a diverse educational, multicultural environment
• Skill, ability and knowledge of Microsoft word
• Skill and ability to access email and internet
• Possess interpersonal and organizational skills
• Access to transportation is required
• Bilingual skills highly desirable                                                                                                                                                                                                         

  The Springfield Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, age, handicap, or military service, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.  

   

  Reach out to Carmen Molina-Figueroa, the Human Resources Analyst, at 413-787-7100 ext. 55394, the email address is molina-figueroac@springfieldpublicschools.com. She will be happy to answer any questions that you have.  

   

   NONDISCRIMINATION EMPLOYMENT STATEMENT  

   

  The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, sex characteristics, sex stereotypes and other sex-based conduct, genetic information, ancestry, age, disability or military service or marital status. The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in admission to, access or treatment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, sex characteristics, sex stereotypes and other sex-based conduct, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation, disability or homelessness.

   

  Title IX Notice of Nondiscrimination

   

  Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex in admission, administration of its educational programs or activities or employment.  Springfield Public Schools is required by Title IX and its implementing regulations at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 not to discrimination on the basis of sex in admission, administration of its educational programs or activities or employment.  The Senior Administrator of Human Resources, Kathleen O’Sullivan, Springfield Public Schools, 1550 Main St. Springfield MA, 01103, 413-787-7100,  ext. 55428, has been designated as the employee responsible for coordinating Springfield Public Schools efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under Title IX.  Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 to Springfield Public Schools may be referred to Kathleen O’Sullivan or to U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400 Maryland Ave., SW Washington, DC 20202-1100, telephone 800-421-3481.