Family Engagement Specialist

Medford Public Schools; Medford (MA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Medford Public Schools is seeking a Family Engagement Specialist to support K–5 families at one of four sites in Medford after the regular school day. You will design family touchpoints, ensure safety, and build trust with caregivers so that children feel secure, supported, and known.

The role emphasizes communication, relationship-building, and coordination with school staff. A bachelor's degree is preferred, CPR/First Aid certification is expected (or willingness to obtain), and the starting

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (preferred, not required) in Education, Social Work, Human Services, Communications, or a related field.
• Experience delivering family-facing communication, intake, or administrative support in school/out-of-school settings.
• Ability to balance safety records and family communications with confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Welcome families and manage front desk intake, updates, and outreach.
• Oversee attendance, dismissal records, and secure pick-up routines for students.
• Gather classroom highlights and staff updates for engaging newsletters.
• Coordinate with school-day staff to ensure individualized family supports and communication.
• Keep front desk and site operations organized and support daily program logistics.

Skills

Excellent communicator

Relational problem-solving

Culturally responsive communication

Confidentiality

CPR/First Aid

Education

Bachelor's degree (preferred) in Education, Social Work, Human Services, Communications, or related field

Job description

Family Engagement Specialist

Medford Public Schools Medford Public Schools - Medford, Massachusetts Open in Google Maps

Job Details

Job ID: 5941341

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Sep 27, 2026 12:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Medford Public Schools is investing in the hours after the school day ends. Our Before/After School Programs serve students at four elementary sites with a vision of out-of-school time that goes well beyond supervision: engaging curriculum, dedicated teaching teams, and a learning environment that families can trust. As we grow, we are building a program staffed by educators who take after-school education seriously, and we are looking for people who want to help shape what that looks like in Medford.

Position Summary

The Family Engagement Specialist serves as the vital link between home and school for K–5 families at one of our four sites. After a long school day, caregivers need clear communication, warm trust, and complete confidence that their children are safe, supported, and known. You will design and manage the site's family touchpoints, operational safety, and arrival/dismissal routines with an advocate's eye for family needs and an educator's eye for student well-being. Your work should welcome a new family on day one and maintain strong, ongoing relationships with returning families throughout the school year.

Core Responsibilities

• Welcome every family on purpose. Build entry points for caregivers to connect, managing the front desk with warmth while handling intake, daily updates, and proactive outreach for students needing additional supports.
• Master student safety and movement. Manage daily attendance and dismissal records, track internal student movement, and run a secure, smooth pick-up routine that accounts for every child, every day.
• Tell the program's story. Gather classroom highlights, staff updates, and student voices to craft engaging updates and program newsletters that keep families connected to their child's experience.
• Bridge home and school. Partner with school-day staff, site educators, and district partners to ensure individualized support plans, medical alerts, and sensitive home situations are handled with care and continuity.
• Co-lead site operations. Keep the front desk and administrative systems organized, support daily program operations, and jump in flexibly wherever needed to keep the site running smoothly.

Qualifications

• You have a bachelor's degree (preferred, not required) in Education, Social Work, Human Services, Communications, or a related field, or experience that demonstrates applicable knowledge.
• You have planned and delivered family-facing communication, intake, or administrative support in school, out-of-school-time, or community-based settings.
• Strong group and desk management. You can balance a busy dismissal period, answer family questions, and maintain absolute precision with student safety records.
• Comfortable with relational problem-solving, culturally responsive communication, and navigating sensitive family situations with empathy and confidentiality.
• Excellent communicator with students, staff, families, and school partners across diverse backgrounds.
• CPR/First Aid certified (or willingness to obtain) and meet MPS background check requirements.

Compensation

• A salaried, full-time position with a starting salary of $55,000.
• 186 days per year (follows MPS calendar—180 school days, 5 days before the school year, and 1 day after).
• Reports to the respective Before/After School Site Director.
• Real ownership of family engagement and site logistics at your site.
• Membership in a growing out-of-school time program that the district is actively investing in.

Position Type: Full-time

Job Requirements

• At least 3 year(s) of relevant experience preferred.
• Bachelor degree preferred.
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Kathleen Dowcett , Director of Before/Afterschool
• 489 Winthrop Street
• Medford, Massachusetts 02155
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]