Step Up Lead Advocate

STEP UP JOB POSTING

POSITION TITLE:  Step Up Lead Advocate (Roosevelt High School)

REPORTS TO:  Program Site Supervisor

FLSA STATUS:  Non-exempt, Full-time (40 hours per week)

REGULAR/TEMPORARY: 10.5 month position 

BENEFITS: Details of benefits outlined below

STARTING SALARY RANGE:  $21.00-23.00 per hour

START DATE:   August 2023

CLOSING DATE: August 9th; Applications reviewed upon receipt.

The mission of Open School Inc. 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. Open School Inc. is an education nonprofit in its 50th year of service. We currently operate an alternative high school in East Multnomah County and the Step Up after-school program.

Step Up is an in-school and after-school relationship-based mentoring, academic, and social-emotional support program that partners with students and their families throughout their high school journey within three Portland Public high schools: Franklin, McDaniel, and Roosevelt. Every year, Step Up enrolls and supports approximately 400 amazing students to find success in school. Our students are personally supported by a Step Up Advocate all year through comprehensive tutoring, strength-based advocacy, intentional mentoring, social/emotional support, character building, and family engagement activities.  Over 85% of Step Up students are youth who identify as Black, Indigenous and other People of Color (BIPOC).  Many of our students come from low income backgrounds and from marginalized communities.  For more information and videos, we encourage you to explore our website at www.openschoolnw.org. 

EQUITY STATEMENT

At Open School Inc, we recognize that there is an historic and persistent achievement gap between white students and students of color; closing that achievement gap while raising the achievement of all students is a top priority of our organization. Race must cease to be a reliable predictor of students’ achievement and success. In order to achieve this goal, we are committed to creating and fostering racial diversity and inclusivity at every level of our organization including but not limited to staff, students, and leadership.  

TO APPLY

Please email a cover letter, résumé, and 3 professional references to jobs@openschoolnw.org by August 9th. Please reference the position title in the subject line. Applications are reviewed upon receipt.

Open School Inc is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an equitable and inclusive work environment. We highly value diversity, culture and lived experiences.  We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and seek to hire qualified individuals who reflect the diversity of the students and communities we serve.  We 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 Inc 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 their services and ideas wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position blends the Step Up School Success Advocate position with Leadership attributes. Along with having an Advocate group, this position will also be a member of the Site Leadership Team. This position will also introduce supervision responsibilities to the Advocate role. The Lead Advocate can be described as a team captain of the Advocate group and will include facilitation of meetings, supervising 1-2 Advocates, and be a coach and mentor for Advocates.

SCHEDULE WORK HOURS

The Lead Advocate position typically follows a 10.5-month schedule that will start on August 28th and will end on June 30, 2024 for the 2023-24 academic year. The Step Up Lead Advocate is based on 40 hours per week. Most work hours occur between 9:30am and 6:00pm on weekdays, with occasional evenings and Saturdays as scheduled. One to two overnight summer camps and up to two overnight retreats may be required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Academic interventions duties:

• Tutor high school students in specific subject areas as well as supporting the completion and understanding of homework.
• Assist Step Up Students and teachers in school day classrooms 2-4 hours per week
• Collaborate with Program Site 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, other Advocates and the Program Site Supervisor 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 the Program Site Supervisor, plan and implement skill-based Saturday Schools on a monthly basis.

Social and school success skill development duties:

• Collaborate with Program Site 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.
• Lead effective 1-on-1 and group mentoring of students that meets them where they are at, help them to get to where they say they want to go, and helps them find the relevance of school success in their lives.

Family relationships liaison duties:

• Act as a liaison to build relationship between school and family; advocate for family by assisting in interventions/mediation 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 Site Supervisors or the Student Support Coordinator to provide information and referrals for students and/or families for needed services.
• Communicate with families in a manner consistent with Step Up policies.
• Create and monitor Family Partnership Plans to support student and family success.

Program administration duties:

• Be prepared and actively participate in staff development: 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 summer Leadership Camp and Retreats as needed; attend staff retreats as scheduled.

Supervisory responsibilities:

• With the Program Site Supervisor, this position will mentor School Success Advocates and be the task supervisor for tutors and volunteers.
• Provide day-by-day oversight within the program.  Responsible for implementing program goals under the direction of the Program Site Supervisor and/or Program Manager or Program Director. Maintain the knowledge base of internal and external regulations and laws necessary to assure compliance in all program activities.
• With the Program Site Supervisor, carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with Open School’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities may include interviewing, hiring with supervisor approval, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; approving timesheets; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems with the supervisor’s overview. 

Additional Lead Advocate duties:

• Part of the site leadership team that makes day-to-day decisions about programming, initiatives, and ensures outcomes are met
• Work with and assist the Program Site Supervisor with mentoring School Success Advocates and be the task supervisor for tutors and volunteers
• Plan and facilitate bi-weekly advocate meetings
• Attend and represent Step Up at school events, meetings, etc
• Member of Enrollment Team:  student recruitment and enrollment during spring and summer
• Participate in professional development trainings (Leads’ Meetings) as scheduled
• Assist with additional administrative duties as needed
• Manage special projects as assigned
• Act as liaison with teachers and program partners

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Step Up School Success Advocate experience is considered a preference 

• Associate’s degree and two years experience and/or training working with under-served and multicultural 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 customer 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, ability to organize and prioritize tasks, and communicate clearly verbally and in writing

OTHER SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Bilingual or multi-lingual in one of our families’ home languages is considered a preference.
• Mobility is a necessity. Advocates are required to travel throughout the school year for various aspects of this position. Having access to or owning a vehicle is considered a preference.
• First Aid/CPR certification preferred and can be provided by Step Up
• Previous Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training

REQUIREMENTS

• Must successfully pass the Oregon Department of Education fingerprint-based criminal history verification background check.  Background checks are paid for by Step Up and provided by Portland Public Schools and the Oregon Department of Education
• 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 be willing to explore personal biases and perform necessary learning and unlearning to reduce or eliminate any personal belief systems that support these biases
• Must have a valid current valid driver’s license

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT AND JOB CONDITIONS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to do the following: 

• Regularly talk and hear
• Sitting for extended periods of time
• Walking for extended periods of time, including at school sites and on field trips or special events, including up and down stairs
• Lifting up to 20 pounds without assistance

BENEFITS

• • Paid time off (PTO) days 
  • Paid break time scheduled during the winter (December-Jan) and spring (March) breaks
  • 9 paid [school] holidays
  • Extensive professional development and training
  • Technology stipend of $50/month
  • Eligibility for Open School’s health care plan (medical, dental, vision) 

• Eligibility to participate in a Flex Spending Account (FSA) plan 
• Eligibility for Open School’s 403(b) retirement plan 
• Eligibility to participate in our Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Group Life Insurance plan, paid by Open School Inc