EL Office Welcome Center Family Liasion: English/Dari or English/Pashto

Job Descripton:

The Welcome Center Family Liasion position is funded through the School Support for Afghan Students (SSAS) Grant Program through September 30, 2025, with the possibility of one additional year from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The SSAS Bilingual Family Liaison promotes the successful integration of students and parents into the school community and will focus on family engagement efforts specific to Afghan families new to the Alexandria City Public Schools. This position requires in-person attendance, and in limited cases, flexible hours. The position reports to the ACPS EL Testing Specialist.

Qualifications:

• Education: Completion of a standard high school diploma or GED. Bachelor of Arts degree or equivalent preferred.
• Experience: Professional experience working with families, community-based outreach programs, schools, and/or non-profits with increasing levels of responsibility is required.
• Experience working with culturally diverse communities.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

Must be able to:

* Communicate, with high proficiency, in Dari or Pashto, and English
* Work in a high-paced work environment and use excellent judgment.
* Operate standard office equipment including computer applications.
* Prepare and maintain accurate records.
* Communicate effectively with linguistically and culturally diverse families.
* Consistently provide positive customer service and collaborate in a fast-paced environment
* Learn and adhere to division protocols.
* Work both independently and collaboratively with other team members.
* Demonstrate understanding and sensitivity to diverse cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds of students.
* Use verbal and paralinguistic skills.
* Determine and assess confidential material, and maintain confidentiality.
* Use excellent time management, customer service skills, and interpersonal skills.
* Work a flexible schedule, including longer hours up to one day a week.
* Demonstrate commitment to the mission of public schools and ACPS.
* Accurately and efficiently document work.
* Access reliable transportation to travel to schools, if needed.

Must have knowledge of:

* Pertinent codes, regulations & laws related to student enrollment, graduation and transfers
* Business telephone, email, and customer service etiquette
* Concepts of grammar and punctuation
* Microsoft Office suite applications, including Microsoft Word and Excel
* Google Workspace, including Drive, Sheets, Docs, Calendar and Mail

This job is distinguished from similar jobs by the following characteristics:

* Dual language proficiency, in English and Dari or Pashto.
* Knowledge of non-Gregorian calendars, preferably the Persian calendar.
* Knowledge of key aspects of schooling in Afghanistan.

Essential Functions:

* Create a welcoming environment for all families, with a focus on Afghan families who speak Dari or Pashto.

* Perform activities focused on supporting families in understanding and meeting the ACPS registration requirements for the purpose of timely school enrollment of new students.

* Respond to inquiries from internal and external parties (e.g. staff, parents, students, public agencies, etc.) for the purpose of providing information, facilitating communication among parties and/or providing direction.

* Maintain a variety of files, documents and student records (physical files and electronic files within the Student Information System) for the purpose of meeting the school division's goal of accurate and timely student data within the student information system and student records, as well as critical compliance with SSAS grant requirements.

* Compile a variety of information/data (e.g. transcripts, health, IEP, attendance, discipline records, grades, test scores, Alexandria domicile, etc.) for the purpose of providing appropriate information required by the site, school division, SSAS grant and/or state.

* Support families with securing transcripts and test score data.

* Conduct and document an individual student schooling history interview for new students.

* Connect Afghan families to resources to support their school registration, enrollment and first days in the school division.

* Support families in completing required electronic forms related to initial and continuing school enrollment.

* Engage in two-way communication with Afghan families via What's App and text messages (using a shared division cell phone).

* Engage in two-way communication with Refugee caseworkers and Afghan families via ACPS email and telephone lines.

* Explain nuanced ACPS policies and protocols to families, including, but not limited to those related to default enrollment at zoned schools, age requirements for enrollment, grade placement, enrollment options for older students, and student capacity and programmatic transfers.

* Connect families of preschool age students to the first steps for applying for limited public preschool enrollment via the coordinated ALX Preschool application form.

* Conduct outreach through a variety of communications to empower all families to be actively engaged in their child's education.

* Provide Interpretation Services as needed.

* Review and translate flyers and documents as needed.

* Attend staff meetings and training sessions as assigned for the purpose of conveying and/or receiving information required to perform functions.

* Assist with additional appropriate tasks as assigned for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment.

* Career Ladder Advancement Criteria

Clearances:

• Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance.
• Tuberculosis Skin Test.

Public Health Compliance

• Must follow safety and health protocols.

WP