Identification and Recruitment Specialist, Temporary (70%, 28 hrs week)

About WestEd

As a community of over 1,400 researchers, practitioners, consultants, and administrative professionals from all backgrounds and life experiences, we are committed to making a qualitative difference in the lives of youth, children, and adults. We conduct and apply research, develop evidence-based solutions, and provide consulting services across the country in both rural and urban communities to improve equitable outcomes for individuals from infancy through adulthood. Serving as trusted partners in the areas of education, health, and justice, our teams enhance capacity within communities and school districts to prioritize impact — asking the right questions, customizing methodologies, developing relevant tools, and implementing best practices specific to a diverse range of stakeholder needs.

WestEd supports individual initiative, excellence, and hard work of all individuals in our hiring and work practices. WestEd complies with all applicable federal and state anti-discrimination laws, as well as OFCCP requirements. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, or status as a protected veteran.

SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING THE WORK LOCATION OF THIS POSITION—Although WestEd provides the option of working at one of its facilities for employees, many roles allow employees to choose to work remotely for their own convenience. The decision to allow remote work at the employee's convenience is based on the requirements of the position or project in question.

Position Overview:

WestEd is seeking a temporary professional to support a family recruitment project for a state-level Migrant Education Program (MEP). The Temporary MEP Interviewer will conduct structured interviews with referred families to gather and document information relevant to MEP eligibility.   The interviewer will follow a standardized process developed by WestEd. The position requires careful application of established procedures, accurate documentation, respectful and culturally responsive communication with families, protection of confidential information, and timely completion of assigned interviews and project records.

Primary Responsibilities

• Participate in required project orientation and training and demonstrate readiness to implement the state-approved interview process before conducting family interviews. Apply approved interview protocols, procedures, and documentation requirements consistently throughout the project. 
• Review assigned family information prior to initiating contact, including referral information, available family records, preferred language, and relevant notes needed to prepare for the interview.
• Contact referred families and conduct structured interviews using state-approved interview protocols and procedures. Communicate the purpose of the interview clearly and engage families professionally, respectfully, and in a culturally responsive manner.
• Gather and accurately document information relevant to MEP eligibility using approved interview procedures and required forms and systems, including MIS2000. Document information objectively and completely without making eligibility interpretations outside the interviewer's assigned authority.
• Identify and promptly elevate eligibility questions, conflicting or incomplete information, unusual circumstances, or other issues requiring additional guidance through the established project escalation process.
• Maintain complete and timely records of family outreach, including required contact forms, contact attempts, interview status, outcomes, and final disposition of assigned families in the project interview tracker.

• Participate in project quality assurance activities, including regular interviewer check-ins, review of completed interview documentation, resolution of identified documentation issues, and timely incorporation of required corrections.

• Manage assigned interviews through completion, including required outreach and follow-up activities, within established project timelines. Monitor assigned workload and communicate promptly with project leadership regarding barriers, emerging concerns, or circumstances that could affect quality or timely completion.

Required Qualifications

• Experience with the Migrant Education Program, Identification and Recruitment (I&R), or other education programs serving mobile or underserved student populations.
• Experience conducting interviews, intake, outreach, eligibility determination, case management, recruitment, or similar direct work with families.
• Ability to follow detailed protocols and apply established procedures consistently.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to establish rapport with families from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability to maintain accurate and complete records.
• Ability to handle confidential and personally identifiable information appropriately.
• Ability to work independently while recognizing when a question or situation requires consultation or escalation.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills and ability to manage multiple assigned cases simultaneously.
• Participation in required training, team meetings, and quality assurance activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the Migrant Education Program, eligibility requirements and/or experience completing or reviewing Certificates of Eligibility.
• Experience working with schools, education agencies, or community-based programs.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills or proficiency in another language represented among participating families.
• Ability to use electronic data systems and project tracking tools.

Expectations for Successful Performance

Successful performance in this temporary position requires accuracy, consistency, professionalism, productivity, and adherence to approved procedures. The interviewer is expected to manage assigned cases independently, maintain current and accurate records, complete required outreach attempts, participate in quality assurance activities, and raise questions promptly when additional guidance is required.

Because information collected through these interviews may be used to support MEP eligibility decisions, interviewers are expected to document what families report accurately and objectively and not make independent interpretations or decisions outside the established interview and escalation procedures.

*Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Successful candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

WestEd conducts a criminal background check and education verification for all new hires. Any offers of employment will be contingent on receiving a clear background check in accordance with applicable law.

HOURLY: $40.00

For more details about our benefits, go to: https://www.wested.org/work-at-wested/#benefits WestEd is a Drug Free Employer and maintains a drug-free workplace. #LI-Remote   #Circa-Remote

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)