Student and Community Advocate East Valley Central Middle School

$47,840 - $58,240/Yr

Communities In Schools Of Seattle - Federal Way, WA

Full-time - Entry Level

Federal Way, WA

Educational Services

About the position

The Student and Community Advocate at East Valley Central Middle School plays a crucial role in implementing the Communities In Schools model, which focuses on providing integrated student supports. This position involves collaborating with school staff and community partners to develop strategies that address the academic, behavioral, social, and emotional needs of students and their families. The advocate is responsible for managing individual student caseloads, coordinating resources, and ensuring effective service delivery to enhance student success and community engagement.

Responsibilities

• Work with school administrators, staff, teachers, full-service community partners, and CIS leadership to ensure a team approach to build upon existing strategies and leverage new opportunities to address the academic, behavioral, social, emotional and resource needs of students and their families.
• Assess community, school, and student assets and needs to develop an annual CIS site plan which identifies goals and leverages existing resources to avoid duplication.
• Implement and coordinate the annual site plan strategies to include periodic monitoring to assess impact and adjust services as necessary.
• Manage a caseload of individual students identified with school leadership and staff and provide individual supports that meet the unique needs of each student.
• Provide whole school supports available to all students aligned with identified school goals.
• Maintain frequent communication with building leadership regarding activities and progress towards goals.
• Build and maintain local formal and informal community partnerships to facilitate access to needed resources to meet the needs of students and families.
• Serve as a broader community resource to schools by sharing information and supporting school focused activities such as school orientations, open houses, and family engagement.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of school-wide and targeted strategies through a systematic data collection process and report progress to school leadership and community partners.
• Maintain a positive image by understanding and demonstrating the CIS mission, goals and initiatives within the school and community.
• Support local and regional partnership and resource development, by providing content for grant proposals, marketing opportunities and hosting site visits as requested.

Requirements

• Equivalent of a Bachelor's Degree and 2 years of relevant work experience; AA degree with 3 years of relevant work experience; or 4 years of relevant work experience.
• Strong relationship-building skills, particularly with disengaged youth and their families.
• Demonstrated experience working with youth, knowledge of and passion for youth development.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school staff, students, parents, community partners, and the public.
• Ability to work with people of diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Resourceful - able to identify multiple solutions to presenting issues.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Basic computer skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Valid Washington state driver's license, access to reliable transportation and proof of adequate vehicle insurance coverage.
• Ability to move 25lbs on an occasional basis.
• Must pass a criminal background check.

Nice-to-haves

• Familiarity and existing relationships within the local community.
• Experience in education, social services, mental health, juvenile justice, or related field.
• Advanced CPR/First Aid Training (or willingness to become certified).
• Knowledge of and experience living and working within similar communities.
• Bi-lingual and/or bi-cultural connection to Spanish-speaking community as appropriate based on building needs.

Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision (100% of employee premiums paid by the company)
• 5 days paid vacation (prorated)
• 13 paid holidays
• Sick time
• 403b Retirement account with employer contributions after 1 year
• Cell phone and mileage reimbursement