Student and Family Resource/Communication Navigator/Liaison

Reeths--puffer-Schools; Muskegon Charter Township (MI); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

REETHS-PUFFER SCHOOLS is seeking a Student and Family Resource / Communication Navigator / Liaison to support families, connect them with school information and community resources, and coordinate outreach across buildings.

The role involves working with students, families, and school staff to identify barriers to engagement, navigate enrollment processes, and ensure clear, family-friendly communication using district platforms and SIS tools to support equitable access and student success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, education, human services, communications, family studies, or a related field preferred.
• Experience working with K–12 students, families, schools, and community-based organizations, particularly families facing barriers to school engagement.
• Strong understanding of family engagement, student support systems, and culturally responsive communication practices.
• Ability to establish trusting, respectful relationships with students, parents/guardians, school staff, and community partners.
• Knowledge of resources related to food, housing, transportation, healthcare, mental health, childcare, and other family needs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including explaining school processes in accessible language.
• Strong organizational skills, confidentiality, documentation accuracy.
• Ability to use district platforms, SIS, and digital tools to support outreach and coordination.
• Collaborate across buildings and departments with empathy and professionalism.
• Commitment to equitable access and student success.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a welcoming, accessible point of contact for students and families seeking school information and resources.
• Help families navigate school procedures, enrollment questions, and district communication channels.
• Identify barriers to attendance and engagement; collaborate with families and staff to connect supports.
• Maintain knowledge of local resources and refer to agencies offering essential services.
• Coordinate follow-up with families and partner organizations to ensure resource connections are understood.
• Support clear, family-friendly communication between schools and homes, including hard-to-reach families.
• Collaborate with teachers, administrators, counselors, social workers, attendance personnel, and other staff to address needs.
• Assist in planning family engagement events and two-way communication opportunities.
• Help families access district programs and student supports.
• Coordinate translated or interpreted information when needed.
• Strengthen attendance outreach and transitions between grades/buildings.
• Engage in MTSS collaboration while respecting confidentiality.
• Gather family feedback and report themes to district leadership.
• Maintain organized records of outreach, referrals, and follow-ups.

Skills

Family engagement

Communication with families

Relationship building

Organization

Confidentiality

Cultural responsiveness

Empathy

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work, education, human services, communications, family studies, or related field

Tools

District communication platforms

Student information systems

Common digital tools

Job description

REETHS-PUFFER SCHOOLS

Student and Family Resource / Communication Navigator / Liaison

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, education, human services, communications, family studies, or a related field preferred.
• Experience working with K–12 students, families, schools, and community-based organizations, particularly families experiencing barriers to school engagement.
• Strong understanding of family engagement, student support systems, community resources, and culturally responsive communication practices.
• Demonstrated ability to establish trusting, respectful relationships with students, parents/guardians, school staff, and community partners.
• Knowledge of available resources related to food, housing, transportation, healthcare, mental health, childcare, and other family needs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain school processes and resources in accessible, family-friendly language.
• Strong organizational skills, follow-through, problem-solving ability, and attention to confidentiality and accurate documentation.
• Ability to use district communication platforms, student information systems, and common digital tools to support family outreach and resource coordination.
• Ability to work collaboratively across buildings and departments while responding with empathy and professionalism to sensitive situations.
• Commitment to equitable access, student success, family voice, and the belief that all children can succeed.
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and follow district policies regarding student records, privacy, and mandated reporting.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for district-related travel, if required by assigned duties.

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Serve as a welcoming, accessible point of contact for students and families seeking assistance with school information, services, and community resources.
• Help families navigate school procedures, enrollment-related questions, district communication channels, and connections to appropriate school personnel.
• Identify barriers to student attendance, engagement, and success; collaborate with families and staff to connect students with appropriate supports.
• Maintain current knowledge of local community resources and facilitate referrals to agencies offering food, housing, transportation, healthcare, mental health, and other essential services.
• Coordinate follow-up with families and partner organizations, as appropriate, to help ensure resource connections are understood and accessible.
• Support consistent, timely, clear, and family-friendly communication between schools and homes, including outreach to families who may be difficult to reach through traditional methods.
• Collaborate with teachers, administrators, counselors, social workers, attendance personnel, and other support staff to address student and family needs.
• Assist in planning and facilitating family engagement events, informational sessions, and opportunities for meaningful two-way communication.
• Help families understand and access district programs, student supports, and opportunities for participation in their child's education.
• Support communication accessibility by coordinating translated or interpreted information through district-approved resources when needed.
• Partner with school staff to strengthen attendance outreach, transitions between grade levels or buildings, and re-engagement efforts.
• Participate in appropriate student support and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) collaboration while respecting role boundaries and confidentiality requirements.
• Gather family feedback and identify recurring communication gaps or service barriers; share themes and improvement recommendations with district leadership.
• Develop and maintain organized, accurate records of outreach, referrals, family contacts, and follow-up activities in accordance with district procedures.
• Use approved technology and communication tools to provide clear updates and increase family access to reliable school information.
• Facilitate, in conjunction with district staff, positive student outcomes using the Graduate Profile as a 'north star.'
• Build and sustain positive relationships with community organizations and help coordinate resource-sharing opportunities that benefit students and families.
• Exercise discretion, maintain confidentiality, and refer matters requiring specialized clinical, legal, or educational expertise to appropriately qualified staff.
• Communicate effectively and professionally in situations involving sensitive family circumstances or emotionally charged concerns.
• Participate in professional learning, district meetings, and other collaborative activities related to student support and family engagement.
• Others as assigned.

Compensation

The salary for this position will be commensurate with level of education and experience.

Posting Period: Until closed

Reeths-Puffer Schools adheres strictly to its policy of nondiscrimination in all programs, services, activities, and employment. Discrimination is prohibited on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, height, weight, marital status, or disability. Discrimination inquiries may be directed to the Assistant Superintendent at [phone].