Biddeford Schools are seeking a Family Engagement Coordinator.
Specific Job Details:
Starting ASAP
Able to work additional hours as needed, including flexibility before and after the traditional school day, and occasional evening commitments to facilitate translation and communication for newcomer families
The purpose of this position is to lead the Welcome Center in support of newcomers, those experiencing housing instability, and students affected by trauma in the Biddeford, Dayton, and Saco School communities. The successful candidate will coordinate with departments including multilingual teachers, resiliency coordinators, and guidance staff, and serve as the district’s state-registered homeless liaison. The successful candidate is an ambitious professional who seeks a career in educational leadership and potentially “deepens the bench” for the school departments served by the Welcome Center.
School Description:
We expect staff and students to embrace challenges and strive to attain excellence while exemplifying Tiger PRIDE: Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Dependability, and Empathy.
Find the Biddeford School Department's Three Pillars of Commitment to Students attached.
Duties and Responsibilities
Planning and Preparation
Provides planning and preparation for newcomer students in educational settings.
Serve as an in-school resource for newcomer students and their teachers.
Plans for new programming and helps integrate existing programs.
Contributes to the district’s strategic planning
Helps develop a self-sustaining budget that relies (in part) on grant and private foundation funding to grow and thrive.
Leadership
Communicates high expectations while removing barriers for students to access learning and supporting growth in social and emotional skills.
Builds strong relationships with students and families in order to strengthen the learning experience for newcomers.
Creates a climate of respect and engagement for students and families.
Collaborates with staff who serve the Welcome Center full- or part-time
Manages relationships and reporting with subcontractors, community partners, grantors, the Department of Education, and other stakeholders
Delivery of Information
Provide direct support to newcomer students and families in an effort to improve communication and school engagement, and remove potential barriers to educational success.
Hooks students through learning opportunities that help bridge the gap between current understanding and grade-level expectations.
Utilizes a wide variety of strategies, materials, technology, and applications to accelerate student learning.
Works with the districts’ communication staff to ensure that target families are served, and that the community at large recognizes the value proposition of the Welcome Center
Monitoring and Assessment
Ensure accurate and complete documentation, paperwork, and data entry is maintained at all times.
Effectively use technology to maximize efficiency and quality of work during the planning, implementation, and completion of projects and tasks.
Confidentially maintains student records and files.
Communicates anticipated needs, trends, operational efficiencies (and deficits) with Senior Leadership.
Family and Community Outreach
Advocate for equitable access to services for newcomers.
Connects homeless families with general assistance programs, housing coalitions, employment opportunities, and free or reduced-cost legal, medical, and dental services.
Engage in home and community visits, provide translation for families and students, as needed, to support service meetings, and proactively facilitate other activities that bridge the home and school connection between families and schools.
Works collaboratively and builds strong communication with school and agency counselors, teachers, administrators, parents and related service providers in the overall educational plan for newcomer students.
Professional Responsibilities
Build and maintain positive relationships with community agencies, social service organizations, and schools that serve newcomers.
Refer newcomers to appropriate staff and existing community resources, information and social services based on immediate needs.
Assist newcomers with meetings, phone calls, and documents associated with the School Departments.
Ensure accurate and complete documentation, paperwork, and data entry is maintained at all times.
Provides data, reports, and program updates to Senior Leadership and districts’ Boards, as needed.
Certification/License and experience :
Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred. Professional or personal experience navigating cultural differences is a plus.
Valid Criminal History Records Check
Preference will be given to applicants with experience working with vulnerable youth and families, particularly those who struggle with consistent housing and who endeavor to navigate enrollment in schools and integrate into communities.
A successful candidate is able to work independently when required, but is a skillful collaborator who can straddle academic departments, city departments, community partners, and other stakeholders.
Experience with grant writing is preferred, but not required.
Proficiency in at least one language in addition to English is preferred.
Live and Work in the Biddeford, Maine Community
Equal Opportunity
The School Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The district shall actively work to have the teacher and administrator workforce reflect the student body's diversity.
The School Department's selection will be based on those with the highest capabilities, the strongest commitment to quality education, and the greatest probability of effectively implementing the learning program. Selections will be made without consideration on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ancestry or national origin, age, marital status, disability or genetic information, and any other state or federal prohibitions. For the purpose of this policy, "sexual orientation" means a person's actual or perceived heterosexuality, bisexuality, homosexuality, or gender identity or expression.
Criminal Background Check
All employees of Maine schools must be fingerprinted for a criminal history background check. Please create a Department of Education log-in and make an appointment for a fingerprinting appointment at https://www.maine.gov/doe/cert/fingerprinting
Please see other Job Openings at :
Biddeford Schools
Dayton School
Southern Maine Administrative Collaborative
