Step Up Site Supervisor

POSITION TITLE: Step Up Site Supervisor – Roosevelt High School

REPORTS TO: Step Up Program Manager

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

REGULAR/TEMPORARY: Regular

BENEFITS: Details of benefits outlined below

SALARY: $ 52,000 – $ 55,000

START DATE: March 2023

CLOSING DATE: Friday, February 3rd

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 and résumé to jobs@openschoolnw.org by February 3rd.  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

The Step Up Site Supervisor is responsible for the successful implementation of all aspects of the Step Up Program that includes program planning and administration (including recruitment and enrollment of student participants), staff leadership & development, public relations, oversight of academic tutoring and case management for all Step Up participants. 

This role embodies Step Up’s commitment to centering racial equity and social justice. Step Up is about creating authentic relationships, building community, and working from a strength-based approach in supporting predominantly BIPOC and marginalized students and families to find success in education.

SCHEDULED WORK HOURS

The Site Supervisor will work approximately 40 hours per week, 12 months per year. Occasionally will work weekends, nights, holidays; as well as occasional multiple day camps and retreats.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Administration and Communication Duties: 

• Develop and maintain an effective program site that supports the Step Up program goals and objectives

• Act as lead representative in facilitating open communication to build strong relationships between school administration, teachers and staff to ensure the Step Up program goals and objectives are effective in meeting the desired outcomes; actively participate in regular meetings with school staff and administration
• Work independently as a part of the Step Up leadership team and is provided supervision support by a Program Manager
• Place students in advocate groups; coordinate and supervise service providers and partners from the community to assist students and families as required
• Ensure that School Success Advocates develop the skill sets needed to effectively work with their students to promote social-emotional growth
• Effectively manage and complete program site reports; grant reports, billing, credit card reconciliation, discipline forms, student progress paperwork, incident reports, attendance workbook and call/communication log; maintain accurate and timely record keeping of program expenditures
• Effectively plan and manage site program budget
• Coordinate and supervise mediations, reengagement and intervention meetings for all Step Up participants when needed
• Plan and coordinate efforts to successfully implement program events for students and families
• Assist the Step Up Leadership Team (SULT) in special projects and key decision making processes
• Actively participate in the Step Up Leadership Team meetings, OS staff meetings and retreats 
• Ensure academic tutoring is aligned with school curriculum, including tutoring in proficiency based grading systems
• Lead site Leadership Team (consisting of Student Success Specialist and Lead Advocate) and coordinate team meetings, communications and activities
• Work in collaboration with site Student Success Specialist and Lead Advocate
• Familiarity with all relevant academic specifications for students receiving special education or 504 services
• Plan and implement skill-based Saturday Schools on a regular basis and at times in alignment with the high school
• Develop and maintain intentional partner relationships with school administration, including and not limited to principals, counselors, teachers and staff
• Develop a working knowledge and skillset with PPS Synergy database, Canvas, Slack, and virtual meeting platforms in use particularly Zoom and Google Meets
• Use Step Up real time data to inform programming and Advocate practice

Evaluation Duties:  

• Collaborate with Step Up Management Team to collect, evaluate, interpret and present data to all invested partners, funders, and the community; ensure all information is communicated to and available for Advocate team
• Conduct mid-year and end-of-year evaluations of each team member at the site 

Staff Supervision: 

• Effectively communicate program goals and philosophies, policies and procedures; ensure program staff understand and adhere to program guidelines and principles
• Effectively communicate partner school administrative policies and protocols
• Mentor and coach Advocates interested in leadership to develop strengths in group facilitation, supervision, supporting program staff, and monitoring results, including observation and feedback sessions 
• Facilitate regular bi-weekly, hour-long supervision sessions with each School Success Advocate
• Lead weekly staff meetings and develop systems to obtain and distribute all relevant student progress data to team members each week
• Cultivate healthy and collaborative site team culture

Cultural Competence & Commitment to Equity:

• Demonstrate Open School’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in all job duties
• Utilize OPEN’s Equity Lens in decision-making
• Be aware of and have a willingness to embrace the cultural orientation of the populations we serve
• Commit to examine personal cultural biases and perform personal work necessary to reduce or eliminate biases
• Develop and maintain mutually respectful relationships
• Engage in and model participation in Step Up’s equity professional development trainings

*Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree from four-year college or university in a related field
• Three (3) years-experience and/or training or working with under-served youth and youth of color in an educational setting
• One (1) year of supervising employees is required
• Excellent interpersonal skills and comfort with public speaking with groups ranging from small to large
• Ability to be collaborative and work with a diverse population to solve problems and provide high quality service
• Experience with racial equity, courageous conversations about race, and cultural and linguistic responsive pedagogy is preferred
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) training and experience
• An equivalent combination of education, experience and lived experience

OTHER PREFERRED SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Bilingual or multi-lingual in one of our families’ home languages is considered a preference
• Mobility is a necessity. Site Supervisors 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.
• Knowledge of school district and state educational goals for high school students 
• Facilitation experience including leading group facilitation processes
• Experience working in a high school setting
• First Aid/CPR certification preferred and can be provided by Step Up

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
• All Open School Inc. employees must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT AND JOB CONDITIONS

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

• Regularly talk and hearSitting 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) and spring (March) breaks
  • 11 paid 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