Employment Type: Non-Exempt
MMSD is seeking highly motivated and energetic applicants! Applicants should have a good attitude, willingness to learn, and passion for impactful work and learning.
Why You Should Work with MMSD!
The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin. We have a simple but bold vision — to ensure that every school is a thriving school, that prepares every student to graduate from high school ready for college, career, and community. We welcome applicants who will actively contribute to our ongoing commitment to making MMSD a thriving, welcoming environment for all students, families, and staff.
In addition, we have a great compensation package. Visit our benefits page and compensation page for more information.
Becoming a Model School District
The Madison Metropolitan School District is committed to being anti-racist, culturally responsive, and inclusive. We have a simple but bold vision — to ensure that every school is a thriving school, fostering the growth of every student so they graduate from high school ready for college, career and community.
Our strategy is captured in our strategic framework, and centers on three major goals: that all children achieve academically, that our schools are places where children and adults thrive, and that our Black youth excel at school. To achieve this vision, we seek to retain staff in all positions, who are committed to being anti-racist, culturally responsive, and inclusive. Staff who will actively contribute to our ongoing commitment to making MMSD a thriving, welcoming environment for all students, families and staff.
We firmly believe in and are here to create a work environment that is challenging and rewarding, while supporting employees in their career path. We strive to provide, encourage, grow, and develop a talented workforce that better supports and represents the diversity of our student population. We know this vision doesn't come to life without dynamic leaders and support staff in every school.
About Our District
The Madison Metropolitan School District is the second largest school district in Wisconsin. The district serves a beautifully diverse population of more than 25,000 students. More than half are students of color. Almost half come from low income households. Nearly one third are English Language Learners, and more than 100 languages are represented in our schools. Madison schools are committed to making this district a place where every child thrives.
Behavioral Education Assistant
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Be an active and positive member of a mobile response team that supports students who are demonstrating challenging/dysregulated behavior
Follow protocols and systems for supporting students
Communicate with teachers, Dean of Students, Principals, Families in a professional manner
Input data into EduClimber system to keep track of behavior calls
Collaborate with the team of BEAs, Dean and other mobile response members
Provide proactive support to students who need to regulate to learn
Supporting students both in and out of the classroom
Display mature, patient and compassionate behaviors when working with all students
Display professional behavior that includes refraining from cell phone use when working with children
Other related duties as assigned
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required to Perform Essential Job Functions
Strong, positive, and professional communication skills
Creative problem-solving skills
Collaboration skills
Ability to be flexible and adaptive to what is needed at the moment
Ability to physically move quickly and support students physically
Ability to be calm and positive in very challenging situations with students and adults
Ability to be on your feet for long periods - and able to move about a large school that includes stairs
Ability to connect quickly and build relationships with children, families and staff
Ability to provide individual and small group instructional reinforcement
Ability to work independently with students in school, community, vocational, and domestic situations under the direction of a teacher
Ability to keep accurate student data
Ability to work with physically aggressive students
Ability to work with students who are nonverbal or who do not have intelligible speech
Ability to follow teacher direction, written plans, individual education programs, and behavior intervention plans
Ability to communicate effectively with diverse students, staff and community, orally and in writing
Ability to maintain student confidentiality
Ability to walk, lift (up to 50 lbs.), climb, bend, reach, and kneel
Ability to learn and use basic computer skills (e.g., e-mail, internet, word processing)
Family Liaison
The Family Liaisons work to meaningfully strengthen the connection between school, home, and community. Family Liaisons at Full Service Community Schools will work collaboratively with the Community Schools Resource Coordinator to ensure that families are represented in decision-making and are aware of the partnerships and opportunities available through the school. Family Liaisons at all sites will increase access and linkages to resources and opportunities found in the community. They prioritize efforts that increase student attendance by working in partnership with families and school staff to provide resources and developing and implementing strategies to increase attendance. Family Liaisons collaborate with the Community School Resource Coordinator and other school staff to recruit and coordinate school volunteer opportunities.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Work Collaboratively with School Staff
- Work with Student Services staff and Bi-lingual staff to identify and work directly with individual families who may be in need of more support. When appropriate, manage a small caseload of higher-need students/families, not to exceed 5 students per semester.
- Work directly with School Student Support Teams, School Parent Support Teams, MSCR and the School PTO/PTA to promote diverse parent representation and involvement.
- Work Directly with Families
- Act as an advocate for parents to ensure parent voices are heard and valued throughout decision making.
- Meet with parents and Principal regarding concerns or complaints and work with school staff and parents toward resolution of the issue.
- Conduct home visits, including but not limited to accompanying the School Social Worker on home visits when needed.
- Attends school based evening events that the Family Liaison has been directly involved in planning or is needed for effective partnership with families. Attendance at PTO/PTA should be discussed with the Principal.
- Provide transportation for families through allocated funds for bus tickets / taxi cab. Transportation of students/families in personal vehicles may only be done in accordance with school district policy.
- Promote communication with families and community
- Write articles for the parent newsletter. Prepare presentations for the staff. Interact with media and community leaders with approval of the Principal.
- Family Youth and Community Engagement Responsibilities
- Serve as a co-lead with the IRT, Librarian or other designated staff for Read Your Heart Out. The Family Liaison will participate in the school committee, identify dates and resources needed to execute the program, solicit volunteer/community speakers, greet families and design appropriate recognition for families and volunteers. Work collaboratively with other Family Liaisons in the other elementary schools to engage in the development of Read Your Heart Out as a strategic way to address literacy and family engagement across the district.
- Attend professional learning and meetings offered by FYCE and/or Community Schools leaders to promote effective strategies aligned to the FACE standards such as:
- Submit payroll and appropriate expense documentation to the FYCE Clerical Assistant in a timely fashion. Manage FYCE budget funds and share with the Principal any updates on what funds are available for school activities.
- Bring key learnings on effective family engagement practices back to school to share for professional learning opportunities.
- Fosters strong school/community relations by keeping the community aware of and responsive to school programs
- Family Liaisons have four (4) priority workstreams:
- Attendance Support
- As their attendance area allows, they will coordinate attendance initiatives, support the PTO and Neighborhood Associations, area businesses/nonprofits, etc. to promote daily attendance and safe transitions from home to school, and back. They will also support enrollment efforts at the beginning of the school year and summer semester enrollment efforts in the spring by personally contacting families and sharing important deadlines, forms, and relevant events. They will also support intensive attendance initiatives during annual assessment weeks.
- Family Empowerment
- They will coordinate Family Empowerment Groups in order to lift caregiver voice and enhance community, especially for families who are less familiar with our district’s and school’s systems. Parent-Teacher Conferences are additional events they will prioritize support. Home visits and contacts should be regular and integral to not only support attendance efforts but ensure families stay informed about resources and opportunities, and for the school to stay informed about family experiences, strengths, and support opportunities. They will also support the annual Read Your Heart Out event at their school, in celebration of National African American Parent Involvement Day. They are encouraged to participate in Neighborhood Resource Team meetings run by the City of Madison, if their attendance areas have one. Collaborate with nearby neighborhood centers or community centers to promote program participation and enhance awareness of other services they provide. Facilitate resourcing of families and caregivers regarding school identity, priorities, opportunities, and its systems.
- Volunteer Recruitment
- Parents, caregivers, neighborhood associations, nonprofits, faith communities, and others will be recruited for strategic volunteer opportunities in the school.
- Family Orientations
- They will support the Principal or their designee in creating a system and resources to welcome new enrollees/transfers to their school and neighborhood community. They will work with the social worker or other designee to present resources available to families.
- In addition to these four priority workstreams, the Family Liaison:
- May participate in school-based leadership teams, or other similar leadership teams or committees that support the school’s SIP goals.
- Will attend all professional learning and meetings offered by the Department of Engagement, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (EDEI) and/or Family, Youth, Community Engagement (FYCE) Coordinator
- Be eligible for the District’s relevant Grow Your Own programs
Minimum Qualifications
Have a work history of good attendance and being on time - following a schedule
NVCI trained - and availability after scheduled hours to be trained if not currently trained
Experience working with students who have behavior challenges that include intensive physical and verbal actions
Candidates have an Associate’s Degree or 48 academic credits beyond high school or pass assessment taken onsite in lieu of college credits
Experience working cross-culturally and/or commitment to work toward improving one’s own cultural competence (i.e., valuing difference/diversity, recognizing personal limitations in one’s skills and expertise, and having the desire to learn in these areas)
Preferred Qualifications
Candidates have an Associate’s Degree or 48 academic credits beyond high school
Department of Public Instruction Certification (License) to work with disabled children
Fluency in Spanish and English
Prior experience working in a public school setting
Prior experience working with children who have disabilities
Prior experience working with children who are non-ambulatory and/or nonverbal
CPR certification
First aid training
Experience using email, internet, and word processing programs
Next Steps
Upon submitting, your application will be reviewed by the hiring manager. Based on your application materials, a hiring manager may reach out to you to schedule an interview.
Candidates who have indicated fluency in Spanish and/or Hmong are invited to apply for our bilingual positions as well. If interested in a bilingual position, candidates would be asked to complete reading, writing, and oral language proficiency assessments.
Working Conditions
Work may require travel to different locations within the district and to off-site meetings.
Position may require working evenings, nights, and some weekends.
Certain positions within the District may allow hybrid work flexibility for a portion of their work schedule, depending on the needs of the position and the work unit. This topic and any remote work flexibility that may be available will be discussed in more detail in the interview process
School-based positions are required to be in-person unless otherwise directed by the building principal.
Physical Requirements
Ability to work under generally safe and comfortable conditions where exposure to environmental factors is minimal and poses little to no risk of injury. This position requires the ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally and may involve walking, sitting, stooping or reaching. Manual dexterity is necessary for completing general tasks while operating office equipment. This position may require being stationary for extended periods of time.
Ability to perform work in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments throughout the year, including in inclement weather, spaces without air conditioning, and areas where temperatures may be uncomfortable or fluctuate rapidly.
Disclaimer
This position description is subject to change at any time. The above job description does not limit the duties and responsibilities listed above as they are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Employees in this position may be required to perform additional job-related tasks as directed by the supervisor.
The Madison Metropolitan School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We continue to seek a diverse and talented workforce. We encourage veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities to apply. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.
