Family Education Specialist (Part-Time, Three Positions) - Shenandoah Valley Migrant Education Program

About the role

The Shenandoah Valley Migrant Education Program (SVMEP) is hiring for three part-time Family Education Specialist (FES) positions. These positions will each serve one of the following areas in the program’s region: Northwestern Region: Rockingham County, Shenandoah County, Winchester City, Frederick County, Augusta County, Waynesboro City, Highland County Southern Region: Grayson County, Galax City, Carroll County, Campbell County Eastern Region: Henrico County, Fredericksburg Count, Richmond City, Alexandria City, Cumberland County, Culpeper County, Fairfax County, Nelson County, Albemarle County.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of approximately 100 migrant students, providing ongoing family engagement, case management, and individualized support services.
• Conduct family intake and onboarding, including completion of enrollment and emergency documentation.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with families through regular communication, home visits, and ongoing support.
• Assess family and student needs and connect families to educational, healthcare, and community resources.
• Monitor student academic progress, attendance, and overall well-being through collaboration with families and school personnel.
• Advocate for students and families to help ensure access to appropriate educational services, supports, and opportunities.
• Serve as the primary liaison between migrant families and local schools, facilitating communication and collaborative problem-solving.
• Partner with teachers, counselors, administrators, ESL staff, and other school personnel to address academic, behavioral, attendance, and social-emotional concerns.
• Aid families in navigating school systems, procedures, and available resources.
• Cook up referrals to community agencies and service providers, including healthcare, housing, financial assistance, mental health, and social services.
• Provide guidance and support to help families overcome barriers that impact student success and family stability.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of family contacts, services provided, referrals, outcomes, and case documentation.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of local, regional, and state resources available to migrant students and families.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with community organizations and service providers to expand access to resources and support services.
• Identify service gaps and opportunities to improve resource access and outcomes for migrant families and students.
• Participate in program reporting, data tracking, and other administrative responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of family engagement, case management, and community resources that support student and family success.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and advocacy skills when working with families, schools, and community partners.
• Ability to manage a caseload, maintain accurate records and tracking spreadsheets, and coordinate services effectively.
• Ability to work independently, solve problems, and support diverse families with professionalism and cultural sensitivity.
• Experience working with students, families, schools, or community-based programs is beneficial.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills are highly desirable.

Conditions Of Employment

• Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.
• This is a part-time wage position working up to an average of 29 hours per week over the course of a calendar year with no benefits.

EEO Statement

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status. We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality. Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.