SPACE Agent Job Description

Organization Summary

The Center for African Immigrants and Refugees Organization (CAIRO) advocates for social justice and equity for diverse African immigrant and refugee communities. CAIRO is a culturally specific organization committed to reducing achievement gaps and addressing barriers experienced by African immigrant and refugee youth in Oregon schools.

CAIRO works closely with students, families, schools, and community partners to create spaces where children and young adults feel safe, supported, and prepared to learn.

Program Overview

The Schools, Parents, and Community Engaged (SPACE) Program is a school- and community-based student support program serving African immigrant and refugee students and their families.

SPACE currently serves eight schools within the Beaverton, Reynolds, and Hillsboro school districts. The program provides academic support during the school day, out-of-school tutoring, mentoring, social-emotional support, family engagement, cultural navigation, and referrals to community services and resources.

SPACE staff are assigned to partner schools to address language and cultural barriers and strengthen relationships among schools, students, families, and the broader community.

SPACE Agent Position Summary

The SPACE Agent serves as a cultural navigator and supports the successful day-to-day operation of the SPACE Program at assigned schools.

The SPACE Agent works collaboratively with students, families, school and district staff, CAIRO leadership, and community partners to develop culturally responsive strategies that address academic achievement, attendance, enrichment, recreation, family engagement, and social-emotional needs.

The Agent develops and maintains positive relationships with students, families, teachers, school leadership, and community partners. The Agent also ensures that program services meet the needs of elementary, middle, and high school students from African immigrant and refugee communities.

This is a part-time, non-exempt position primarily based within the Reynolds School District. The position is scheduled for 24–30 hours per week, with a maximum of 30 hours per week.

CAIRO is particularly interested in applicants who speak Somali and/or Swahili and can communicate effectively with participating families.

Duties and Responsibilities

Student Support and Case Management

Attend assigned schools according to the established weekly schedule while school is in session.
Maintain an assigned student caseload.
Evaluate students’ academic, social, emotional, behavioral, attendance, and resource needs.
Develop individualized plans for student engagement and support.
Coordinate services that address students’ academic and social needs, including tutoring and mentoring.
Help develop strategies for addressing attendance or behavioral concerns.
Meet regularly with participating students.
Inform students about CAIRO programs, workshops, events, and resources and encourage their participation.
Make appropriate referrals to internal and external services and community resources.
Maintain required student information in CAIRO’s case-management system.
Protect the privacy and confidentiality of students and families.

Parent and Family Engagement

Conduct introductory home visits with parents and caregivers, as appropriate.
Support families with enrolling students in the SPACE Program.
Collect required student information, including State Student Identification numbers when applicable.
Help families understand student performance, attendance, behavioral concerns, and available school supports.
Assist with communication between families, teachers, and school staff.
Be available to support families during parent-teacher conferences.
Encourage increased family participation in school meetings, conferences, activities, and events.
Conduct additional home visits as needed or assigned by the SPACE Program Manager.
Work with CAIRO leadership to develop and deliver adult and family programming.
Maintain consistent and respectful communication with students, families, school staff, and community partners.

School and Community Collaboration

Work directly with school administrators, counselors, teachers, and other staff to understand and respond to student needs.
Assist teachers and school staff with culturally responsive communication and outreach to parents and caregivers.
Attend required weekly and monthly school meetings, including meetings with counselors, teachers, and administrators.
Build positive relationships with school and district personnel.
Provide cultural context and guidance to school staff when appropriate.
Collaborate with school leadership to identify barriers affecting students and families.
Connect families with appropriate school, CAIRO, and community resources.

Events and Extracurricular Engagement

Collaborate with other SPACE staff to plan and facilitate monthly events or workshops during the school year.
Rotate monthly events and workshop responsibilities among school district teams.
Help develop summer events, workshops, and enrichment activities.
Promote CAIRO events, services, and community resources to students, families, and the broader community.
Support evening and weekend community events on a semi-regular basis.
Work with the SPACE Program Manager and other SPACE Agents to develop workshops for teachers and district leadership.

Administrative Responsibilities

Complete assigned administrative responsibilities at the CAIRO office.
Organize and help facilitate parent and community meetings.
Complete accurate and timely data entry.
Assist with developing annual work plans, program schedules, and activity calendars.
Collect program participation and outcome data.
Prepare and submit required progress and final reports.
Organize and maintain program records and supporting documentation.
Complete reports required by CAIRO, school districts, and program funders.
Attend weekly SPACE staff meetings.
Perform other program and administrative duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Requirements

Some college coursework in education, early childhood education, psychology, social work, human services, public health, or a related field.
At least two years of experience working with African immigrant or refugee students and families.
Experience working with elementary, middle, or high school students.
Experience providing culturally responsive student or family support.
Experience facilitating workshops, meetings, forums, or group activities.
Experience maintaining records, completing data entry, or preparing program reports.
Fluency in English and at least one African language or Arabic.

Preferred Education and Experience

2 years of college experience or an associate or bachelor’s degree in education, early childhood education, psychology, social work, human services, public health, or a related field.
Experience working in a school-based or youth-development program.
Experience providing tutoring, mentoring, case management, or family-navigation services.
Familiarity with Oregon public-school systems and community resources.
Fluency in Somali, Swahili, Tigrinya, Arabic, or another language commonly spoken by the families CAIRO serves.

Skills and Abilities

Ability to establish positive and respectful relationships with students, parents, teachers, school administrators, staff, and community partners.
Strong commitment to CAIRO’s mission and the philosophy of the SPACE Program.
Ability to serve as a positive role model for students and families.
Ability to lead and facilitate meetings, workshops, and group activities.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
Ability to organize and manage multiple responsibilities and changing priorities.
Ability to maintain accurate records and meet required deadlines.
Ability to protect confidential student and family information.
Knowledge of the cultural and linguistic needs of African immigrant and refugee communities.
Motivation, energy, punctuality, reliability, responsibility, and a positive attitude.
Commitment to education and the academic success of participating students.

Travel

Regular travel between CAIRO offices, assigned schools, family homes, and community-event locations may be required.
Work locations may include sites throughout Washington and Multnomah counties.
Use of a personal vehicle may be required.
Approved work-related mileage will be reimbursed according to CAIRO policy.
Evening and weekend travel may be required for community events, workshops, and family-engagement activities.

Physical Requirements of the Job

Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
Ability to sit for extended periods, including occasionally sitting on the floor while working with children.
Ability to reach with hands and arms.
Ability to use hands to handle objects, equipment, tools, or controls.
Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through virtual platforms.
Ability to occasionally lift or move items weighing up to 20 pounds.
Frequent use of a computer keyboard, monitor, mouse, telephone, or headset.

Job Conditions

The position requires frequent interaction with students, families, school personnel, CAIRO staff, and community partners. Work may take place in school classrooms, school offices, CAIRO offices, family homes, and community-event locations.

The position may include frequent interruptions, competing priorities, and occasional evening or weekend assignments. The employee must maintain professionalism, flexibility, confidentiality, and attention to detail in school- and community-based environments.

Additional Requirements of the Job

Maintain respectful and culturally responsive interactions with students, families, coworkers, school personnel, and community partners.
Complete required documentation accurately and on time.
Meet program deadlines while maintaining strong attention to detail.
Manage multiple responsibilities and shifting priorities.
Follow established program procedures and supervisor instructions.
Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
Participate in required staff meetings, training, and professional-development activities.
Perform additional duties within the general scope of the position as assigned.

Salary Grade/Level/Family/Range

$22.50–$24.00 per hour, depending on education, qualifications, and relevant experience.

Required Hours

These are part-time positions scheduled for 24–30 hours per week. Employees will not exceed 30 hours per week unless advanced written approval is provided by their supervisor.

The selected employees must be available:

Monday through Thursday, generally between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., based on assigned school and program schedules.
Fridays for data entry, administrative responsibilities, professional development, and the weekly SPACE staff meeting.
Occasional evenings and weekends to support community events, workshops, student activities, and family-engagement programming.

The specific weekly schedule will be established by the SPACE Program Manager based on school assignments, student needs, and program operations. Workdays and hours may vary but will generally remain between 24 and 30 hours per week.

FLSA Classification

Part-Time, Non-Exempt

Primary Work Location

These positions are primarily based within the Reynolds, Beaverton and Hillsboro School Districts. Work may also be performed at CAIRO offices, family homes, community locations, and other assigned sites throughout Washington and Multnomah counties.

Benefits

CAIRO offers the following benefits for this part-time position:

Up to 11 days of accrued Paid Time Off per year
Up to 40 hours of accrued sick leave per year
5 days of Paid Time Off for paid spring break - in alignment with school district
Up to 16 paid company holidays
Medical and Dental insurance with employee-only premiums covered 100% by CAIRO
Vision Insurance low-cost employee premium
401(k) plan with up to 3% employer match
Paid professional-development opportunities, when applicable.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Work Authorization

CAIRO participates in the E-Verify Program and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CAIRO is committed to maintaining an inclusive workplace and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Note: This job description identifies the position’s primary responsibilities and requirements but is not all-inclusive. Employees may be required to follow supervisor instructions and perform additional duties within, below, or occasionally above their job level as organizational and program needs arise.

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