HARRISONBURG CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Home School Liaison assists with communication between students, families, and the school in academic, social, and emotional development; serves as a cultural advocate between the families and school personnel; conducts outreach through a variety of communications to empower families to be actively engaged in their children’s education; collaborates with colleagues to design, promote, and implement high impact family engagement strategies during the school day and after school. Maintains confidentiality in all matters.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate from an accredited college or university with a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in social services, psychology or related field preferred.
• Preferred experience in working with K-12 age children and/or a placement similar to an educational setting.
• Bilingual – Spanish required. Proficiency in oral interpretation and written translation.
• Experience with family engagement programs and/or community agencies.
• Proficiency in public speaking and written communication to express and/or exchange ideas in English and Spanish.
• Proficiency in the use of a variety of office machines including computers with experience in Microsoft Office, email and other applications.
• Leadership qualities and personal characteristics necessary for working effectively and positively with students, teachers, families, administrators, and the community.
• Emotionally mature, objective and sensitive to people and their concerns. Able to handle responsibility, work independently, show initiative, and maintain collaborative working relationships with students, families, school staff, and community agencies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Communicates/explains school rules, procedures, schedules, and curriculum to English Learner students and their families.
• Conducts an orientation upon admission or within the first week of admission to new English Learner students and their families, and provides ongoing support throughout the year.
• Provides translation and interpretation services for families of English Learners and all school personnel.
• Assists school staff in coordinating interpretation/translation needs in other target languages.
• Utilizes interpretive equipment for interpreting at school wide functions.
• Collaborates with school personnel and families to facilitate understanding of report cards, any generated forms, disciplinary actions taken by the school, attendance issues, regulations, etc.
• Collaborates with school staff to maintain positive and informed communication with English Learner students and their families.
• Assists with developing and promoting family engagement activities.
• Conducts Home Visits as needed and/or coordinates and assists teachers with Home Visits.
• Assists other schools upon request and as schedule permits.

Other responsibilities

Include but are not limited to:

• Models non-discriminatory practices in all activities. Respects the worth, dignity and individual differences of others.
• Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Participates in professional development opportunities to keep materials, supplies, and skills up-to- date.
• Follows appropriate safety procedures and properly maintains equipment.
• Responds to telephone, email, and in-person requests, inquiries and questions in a professional, polite, and responsive manner.
• Demonstrates good attendance and punctuality.
• Attends all required Home School Liaison meetings.
• Complies with and supports school division policies, regulations, and procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the principal and/or the Director of Equity and Community Engagement.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• 
  Light work, lifting up to 25 pounds occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds frequently.
• Stand, walk, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel or crouch.
• Regular interaction with staff members and administrators is required.
• Not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Light work, lifting up to 25 pounds occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds frequently. Regular travel throughout the school and effectively interact with students, staff, and community members. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; and subject to inside and outside environmental conditions. Regular contact with staff members is required. Not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

EVALUATION:

Performance will be evaluated in accordance with school board policy and administrative regulations on the evaluation of licensed personnel.

The above is intended to describe the essential functions of and requirements for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of the duties, responsibilities and requirements of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and meet the demands of this position.