Family & Community Liaison (Literacy) - Anne Sullivan

Below is specific information for you to consider about this position.

Job Title: Family & Community Liaison (Literacy) - Anne Sullivan  and Requisition ID number: 69668

Close Date:  No established closing date;  open until filled

Organizational Unit:  Teaching & Learning (10000101) 

Site:  Anne Sullivan (0193) 

FTE:  1.0 FTE - 40 hours/week; this is based on full-time equivalency with 1.0 being full time

Union:  ESP(28) 

Functional Area:  Paraprofessional 

Resume and Cover Letter are mandatory to apply for any position.

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*Bilingual Somali Preferred

SUMMARY

Under general supervision, acts as a liaison between the schools, families, and communities; coordinates volunteer and family programs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS -- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills.  This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Serves as a bridge between literacy at school and literacy at home; empowers families to be active participants in their child’s school.
• Engages in language and literacy development from birth to 5th grade.
• Coordinates and maintains resource and volunteer programs for families and community members as an integral part of the school program.
• Provides recruitment, orientation, training, placement, supervision, support and evaluation of volunteers at the school site.
• Provides potential connection to resources for families as needed, including being a linkage between the school and neighborhood services, civic services, senior citizen groups, church groups, day care centers, and businesses.
• Assists in promoting the school or program by providing information to parents, visitors, and volunteers.
• Creates resources for supporting language and literacy development at home.
• Assists the administration and school leadership council in coordinating and maintaining communication with families and the community, including preparing documents, reports, and written materials.
• Communicates with families on a regular basis to establish a positive relationship with the school staff and culture.
• Assists with involvement of families to attend school functions.
• Works with small groups of families to address specific needs.
• Supports families to visit school during the day; assists with, one-on-one supports, and encouraging positive family/staff relationships
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, records and MPS information.
• Demonstrates courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with students, clients, visitors, and MPS staff; acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace environment 
• Enthusiastically promotes the Superintendent’s goals and priorities in compliance with all policies and procedures.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines

High School Diploma or equivalent; AND two (2) years of academic support experience; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources.  

Knowledge of:          

• Applicable policies, procedures and regulations covering specific areas of assignment.
• Methods and techniques for working with students and families.
• Principles and practices of conflict resolution and negotiation strategies.
• Principles of record keeping and records management.
• Specialized MPS and state agency software applications and procedures.
• Local community resources and regional community services programs.
• Personal computers utilizing standard and specialized software.

Skill in:

• Analyzing problems and developing effective solutions.
• Working with staff, students and families in a large urban school system that deals with complex student issues and economic and cultural diversity.
• Working effectively with persons of diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.
• Perceiving the needs and concerns of others, interacting in a tactful manner, resolving conflicts, mediating disputes, and building personal skills.
• Maintaining composure, and working effectively under stressful conditions.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers.
• Effective verbal and written communication.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Valid Minnesota State Driver’s License may be required. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a classroom and a general office environment, with moderate physical requirements; requires occasionally lifting such articles as file boxes or heavier materials with help from others and/or lifting and carrying light objects frequently. Jobs in this category may require walking or standing to a significant degree, long periods of working with computers, and working with children.

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Final candidates may be invited to interview with a committee.  Final appointment to this position will be contingent upon passing a criminal background check.
 
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY:
 
Diversity is one of Minneapolis Public Schools core values and is essential to our goal of putting children first and making them college-ready.  Diversity of our workforce provides us with a competitive advantage and allows us to better understand, communicate with and educate our diverse student body. Minneapolis Public Schools will not deny anyone the opportunity for training or employment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sexual orientation, age, family care leave status, or veteran status.

Minneapolis Public Schools strongly encourages diverse candidates to apply.

Posting Notes: | [No Established Closing Date]  | Teaching & Learning (10000101)  | Anne Sullivan (0193)  | Paraprofessional