Multilingual Learner Student and Family Engagement Specialist

The Lansing School District serves over 10,000 PreK-12 students across 25 school buildings in the increasingly diverse urban community of Lansing, MI. We are unique compared to other districts because of the wide variety of exciting and innovative educational options from which families and staff members can choose. All of Lansing School District’s team members are dedicated to our mission to provide an excellent education to all students in a safe and nurturing environment.

Position Summary

The Multilingual Learner Student and Family Engagement Specialist serves as a vital connection between multilingual learners, their families, schools, and community partners to promote student success through an asset-based, culturally responsive, and equity-focused approach. This position removes barriers to learning, strengthens family engagement, connects families to resources, and collaborates with staff and community partners to support academic achievement, attendance, social-emotional well-being, and meaningful family-school partnerships.

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree required with a concentration in Education, Family Studies and/or Child Development, Social Work or related Social Science area preferred. Master’s degree preferred.

Experience

Experience working in education, family engagement, social services, community outreach, or youth development.

Experience working with culturally and linguistically diverse families.

Experience collaborating with community agencies and connecting families with community resources.

Experience supporting multilingual learners and immigrant or refugee families preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Fluency in a second language preferred: Spanish, Arabic, Swahili, Pashto/Farsi/Dari or other languages.

Commitment to equity and an asset-based approach to supporting students and families.

Knowledge of MTSS, PBIS, restorative practices, and trauma-informed approaches.

Strong communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.

Ability to analyze student data to inform interventions.

Knowledge of community resources and family support services.

Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.

Strong organizational, problem-solving, and time-management skills.

Ability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends for family engagement events.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Develop, coordinate, and implement districtwide multilingual learner family engagement initiatives and activities.

Build strong relationships with multilingual learners, families, school staff, Cultural Brokers, and community organizations.

Plan and facilitate family workshops, educational events, and engagement opportunities that promote student achievement and family involvement.

Connect multilingual learners and their families with district programs, social services, healthcare, housing, food assistance, and other community resources.

Collaborate with schools, district departments, and community agencies to remove barriers impacting student success.

Participate as a member of school and district MTSS teams to support attendance, behavior, academic achievement, and student well-being.

Monitor attendance, engagement, and other student success indicators to identify students needing additional support and coordinate interventions.

Promote positive behavior supports by collaborating with staff on proactive, culturally responsive strategies that foster a positive school climate.

Support families through school meetings, home visits, community outreach, and individualized assistance as appropriate.

Maintain accurate records of family engagement activities, referrals, student supports, and program outcomes.

Collect and analyze data to evaluate program effectiveness and prepare reports related to family engagement and student success.

Assist in developing policies, procedures, and best practices that strengthen multilingual learner family engagement across the district.

Participate in ongoing professional learning related to multilingual education, family engagement, cultural responsiveness, and community partnerships.

Represent Lansing School District professionally while maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality and ethical practice.

Perform other duties as assigned.

At Lansing School District, we champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, providing equal opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation. We foster a rich environment for professional growth and student experiences by valuing diverse perspectives. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite passionate individuals dedicated to educational excellence to apply for our positions.

We value internal mobility and list "Strong Internal Candidate" when considering an internal candidate before posting a job. We still encourage all candidates to apply.

Complete the attached online application at your earliest convenience. If selected, we will contact you to set up an interview. While we strive to provide prompt feedback, the high volume of applicants may limit our ability to do so. All of our jobs will be posted for at least 10 days (unless otherwise noted), but we will review applications on a rolling basis.

External candidates interested in multiple positions within the same department need only apply to one posting and can indicate other roles of interest in the final question. We will consider your application for various roles based on your qualifications.

Internal candidates should apply using their SSO email address and submit separate applications for each role of interest. Thank you for your interest in joining our mission-driven team. We look forward to meeting you!

This job description is intended to outline the general responsibilities and qualifications for the position. It is not an exhaustive list of duties, and the Lansing School District reserves the right to modify job responsibilities as needed. Due to the evolving needs of the District, additional job responsibilities may be assigned (depending on funding sources).