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POSITION TITLE: Step Up School Success Advocate
PROGRAM: Step Up
REPORTS TO: Step Up Site Supervisor
FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt, Part-time (32 hours per week)
REGULAR/TEMPORARY: Regular position and pending PPS funding approval (due July 1, 2020)
BENEFITS: Details of benefits outlined below
STARTING SALARY RANGE: $17.00 per hour
START DATE: August 3, 2020
APPLICATION CLOSING DATE: June 18, 2020 – Application reviewed as they are received.
The mission of Open School is to develop connection, capability, and confidence in disconnected youth through relationship-based, quality learning experiences that result in their academic, personal, and community success. Over 80% of our students are youth of color, low income and from marginalized communities. We encourage you to explore our website at www.openschoolnw.org.
EQUITY STATEMENT
At Open School we recognize that there is an historic and persistent achievement gap between white students and students from marginalized communities; closing that achievement gap while raising the achievement of all students is a top priority of our organization. Race, Identity, ability and who one chooses to love must cease to be reliable predictors of students’ achievement and success. In order to achieve this goal, we are committed to deepening equity at every level of our organization including and not limited to staff, students, and leadership.
TO APPLY
Please email a cover letter and résumé by 5:00 pm, JUNE 18, 2020. Please reference the position title in the subject line.
We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in any aspect of employment on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital status, national and ethnic origin, political affiliation, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status in accordance with the requirements of local, state, and federal law.
Open School believes that each staff member makes a significant contribution to its success. That contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities outlined below. This position description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications and job conditions, but not limit the staff person nor the organization to just the work identified. It is our expectation that each staff member will offer his/her services and ideas wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors.
POSITION SUMMARY
The School Success Advocate is a member of a Step Up team and works at one of three high school sites that Step Up operates within – Roosevelt, Madison & Franklin High Schools. The Advocate position is multi-faceted – they advocate for students, provide academic tutoring/support and mentor. Advocates also create teacher and family relationships. During the school day, Advocates duties include: support students in class, prepare activities, build teacher relationships and other program tasks. After school, Advocates work with their group of students in a classroom setting. This position is responsible for providing academic support and intervention, and assisting in the development of social and school success skills in a safe, positive, culturally responsive and empowering learning environment.
SCHEDULE WORK HOURS
The School Success Advocate’s 10.5-month schedule is split in two sections, late summer (August) and the school year (Sept. 3 – June 18, 2021).
The position begins August 3, 2020. August is usually Step Up camp month, Step Up is revising the August schedule this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. August will include two weeks of staff training and two weeks of student engagement activities.
The School Success Advocate school year schedule is high school based at 32 hours per week for the entire school year. Most work hours occur between 11am and 6pm Monday through Thursday with some occasional required work on Fridays, evenings and weekends. Step Up is planning on incorporating some day and/or overnight retreats during the school year, as health conditions are secured for all, these day or overnight retreats will also be required for Advocates. Training and professional development will periodically take place during the 9-5pm work hours.
In the case of PPS continuing with distance learning or some blended form of digital and physical learning, Step Up will collaborate and align its work and support to students and families with PPS’ schedule.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Academic Intervention Duties:
Responsible for mentoring a cohort of 15-20 high school students for the entire school year and build a meaningful relationship with each student
Facilitate an after-school student group that is engaging, connecting, and rigorous
Assist students in their academic growth and partner with core teachers to establish consistent and proactive communication
Create and maintain a safe learning environment
Advocate for the success, safety, and equitable treatment of each student and empower students to do this for themselves
Tutor high school students in specific subject areas, support with the completion and understanding of homework, and help develop a love of learning
Assist Step Up Students and teachers in school day classrooms 2-4 hours per week
Collaborate with Program Supervisors to maintain awareness of students’ assignments and progress; develop and implement an overall school success plan for students in partnership with teachers, parents, program staff and students
Communicate weekly with teachers, Lead Advocate/Program Coordinator regarding each student’s academic progress and areas in need of academic support
Familiarity with all relevant academic specifications for students receiving special education or 504 services
Work and communicate with parents regarding academic progress; identify areas in need of academic support and work with parents to support specific learning plans for students
In collaboration with Program Supervisor, plan and implement skill-based Saturday Schools on a monthly basis
Social and School Success Skill Development Duties:
Collaborate with Program Supervisors to develop plans that support the development of school success skills, organization and time management skills for individual students and in a group setting
Work with students to develop specific behavior plans that support their success in the classroom.
Attend school intervention meetings and Step Up events occurring at school
Work with students to develop leadership skills, life-skills and vision goals
Lead effective 1-on-1 and group mentoring of students that meets them where they are at, helps them to get to where they say they want to go, and helps them find the relevance of school success in their lives
Facilitate mentoring opportunities for students both in solo and group settings.
Family Relationships Liaison Duties:
Act as a liaison to build relationship between school and family; advocate for family by assisting in interventions/mediation and school-family meetings as necessary
Support families to increase participation in Step Up and school events; facilitate or participate in family interventions and conduct home visits as needed
Collaborate with Program Supervisors or the Counselor to provide information and referrals for student and/or families for needed services
Communicate with families in a manner consistent with Step Up practices
Create and monitor Family Partnership Plans to support student and family success
Program Administration Duties:
Be prepared and actively participate in professional and personal development training/activities: weekly staff meetings, monthly staff development trainings and one-on-one supervision meetings
Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of student participation in the program; data input required to document student participation and progress
Attend day and overnight retreats as scheduled; attend staff retreats as scheduled
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
Associate’s degree and one-year related experience and/or training working with under-served and multi-cultural youth in an educational setting; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to be collaborative and work with a diverse population to solve problems and provide high quality service.
Ability to work well with students from diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds and with disengaged populations. Ability to tutor students in core subject areas up to a 10th grade proficiency level (11th-12th grade, if serving juniors and seniors).
Strong or developing classroom management and group facilitation skills. Ability to work effectively with and support others in a team environment. Strong organizational skills and ability to organize and prioritize tasks, communicate clearly verbally and in writing.
OTHER SKILLS & ABILITIES
Bilingual is preferred, especially Spanish. Multiple organization worksite locations require the ability to travel to alternate offices periodically.
OTHER REQUIRMENTS
Must successfully pass Oregon Department of Education fingerprint-based criminal history verification background check. Background checks are provided through Open School and Portland Public Schools partnership at no cost to employee.
Must attend Open School training and professional development workshops and activities. Must be able to position yourself as a learner and be willing to work with youth from a strength-based approach.
Must have a valid current driver’s license. First Aid/CPR certified preferred and can be provided by Open School.
BENEFITS
8 paid time off (PTO) days
3 weeks paid break time scheduled during the winter (December-Jan) and spring (March) breaks
9 paid [school] holidays
Extensive professional development and training
Eligibility to participate in our Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Group Life Insurance plan, paid by Open School
Eligibility for Open School’s 403(b) retirement plan
Eligibility for Open School’s health care plan (medical & dental) – approx. $50-75/pay period (2 weeks)
Eligibility to participate in a Flex Spending Account (FSA) plan
Vacancy expired!