Program Site Specialist - IMPACT/BOT/SWA 12158-2024 - Vancouver Public Schools

Program Site Specialist/Student & Family Advocate - IMPACT/BOT/SWA

8 hours per day, 10 months per year

This position is temporarily funded through the remainder of the 24/25 school year

Fair Labor Standards Act Status: Non-Exempt 

We appreciate your interest in employment with Vancouver Public Schools (VPS). All applications are considered and reviewed. The most qualified and competitive applicant(s) that possess directly related experience and expertise, training, and education may be invited to participate in the interview/selection process. As part of the selection process, the District conducts confidential reference checks to include former and present employers and also requires a criminal background investigation. Unfortunately, due to the number of applications received, not all applicants will receive an interview.

Résumés should include education, relevant experience (including current position), and skills which highlight the qualifications of the position to which a person is applying.

All district employees are encouraged to review their personnel file periodically to ensure that their file includes current and relevant documentation that supports their education, experience, training, etc., as it relates to qualifications described on job postings.

The Student & Family Advocate works collaboratively with the classroom team, Student Welfare and Equity and Family Resource Center teams, supporting students to engage/re-engage with their education through positive relationships and developing partnerships between school, family, and community to address opportunity and achievement gaps to improve student learning.

The Student & Family Advocate will design and implement programs and lessons to build social emotional and behavioral support, ensuring equity, and social justice within school communities. The Student Advocate is responsible for supporting students with school work and behavior in the classroom setting, planning and executing meetings and other activities geared toward supporting student engagement and advocacy. The Student Advocate works to eliminate barriers to student and family participation.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Social Work or a related field (*), or  
• A minimum of two (2) years of college level studies plus two (2) years of directly related work experience with low-income youth in an educational environment may be substituted for education requirement. Additional experience with low–income youth in an educational environment may be used to substitute for education.
• (*)A major in one of the following disciplines: social work, social welfare, human development, community development.
• Previous exposure to or experience in the education sector is a plus.
• Knowledge of social service agencies strongly preferred.
• Experience working with diverse, socio-economic populations
• Ability to encourage students to meet state standards and make academic gains
• Ability to collaborate with educators and supportive community members/organizations to provide enriching opportunities for students
• Ability to sustain poise and confidence in managing emotional and difficult situations
• Ability to work with students and families with varying educational, social and economic backgrounds
• Ability to manage reporting and documenting requirements
• Ability to conduct home visitations with a wide variety of cultural backgrounds
• Ability to develop successful student programs integrating academics and real-life experiences
• Ability to maintain updated student records and files and ensure confidentiality of all records
• Self-directed with strong organizational skills
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and written, with a variety of diverse stakeholders including administrators, educators, students, and families
• Experience working effectively with diverse groups of teachers, advocates, counselors, students, and parents
• Adept at using technology relevant to the position including utilizing technology to create reports to maintain, track, and analyze student data from the Skyward Student Information System
• Ability to provide appropriate and timely information and data when working in a collaborative team

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong cross-cultural communication and interpersonal skills with individuals of all ages and backgrounds.
• Knowledge of trauma informed practices.
• Strong stress management skills with effective self regulation and de-escalation strategies.
• Strong work management skills with the ability to handle multiple assignments and the ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability working collaboratively, building effective teams in a dynamic work environment.
• Highly detailed and organized in work.
• Proficiency working in a PC platform, and knowledge of Microsoft Office and database systems.
• Regular attendance to carry out duties and responsibilities of the position to achieve program requirements.

Essential Functions:

• Treat co-workers, supervisors, students, parents and others with dignity and respect at all times.
• Serve as a positive role model for students, and practices the behaviors that are expected of our students.
• Work in  a flexible and cooperative manner
• Develop and maintain positive, supportive relationships with students and families while maintaining healthy boundaries. 
• Develop and implement strategies which will eliminate barriers to learning for students, increase high school graduation and increase family’s involvement in their students' learning.
• Problem solve with families to reduce barriers to student success.
• Engages families in two-way communication to support student academic success.
• Organize and facilitate meetings with students and families.
• Collect and disseminate program information to school counselors, FCRC staff, school staff and Principals.
• Serve as a liaison with the community to connect families to community agencies and resources.
• Implements and assists in evaluating district wide programs, which includes documentation, and outcomes tracking related to family advocacy.
• Assists families in accessing needed school services.
• Implements strategies aimed at eliminating barriers to parent and student engagement.
• Implements and maintains an effective and efficient record-keeping, reporting and monitoring system that ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements.
• Collaborates with colleagues in other service areas to ensure students and families benefit from comprehensive services.
• Maintains effective communication with management and other staff members; and prepares and provides timely and accurate written reports, memoranda and other statistical and narrative information as required or requested.
• Anticipates, identifies, and resolves complex obstacles to success of overall program as well as specific projects.
• Submits timely documentation and follows all protocols.
• Perform other tasks and assume other responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.

Other Responsibilities:

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds or 1/3 of your body weight using a hand truck or other carts.
• Ability to reach and hang materials and equipment for presentations or educational displays.
• Ability to load and unload supplies and materials from a van.

It is understood that the district has the right to transfer and assign employees to best fit the needs of the district.

Benefits/Compensation:

Salary range:  New employees will start at the minimum hourly rate in the salary range.  However, employees who have verified prior years of service in a similar occupational status from other Washington School Districts or Education School Districts, may receive experience credit towards salary placement.  Salary schedules can be accessed here.

Benefits: Employees who are anticipated to work at least 630 hours may be eligible for health, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life, and disability insurance benefits. Detailed information, including further eligibility criteria, can be found here.

Retirement: Employees may be eligible for retirement benefits through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS). Eligibility is based on FTE. Detailed information can be found here.

Time Off:  Vancouver Public Schools offers paid holidays and paid time off, including but not limited to, sick, vacation, personal, and bereavement leave.

• Sick Leave: 8 hours per month (part-time employee accrual will be proportionate to their FTE).
• Personal Leave: 3 days per school year 
• Twelve (12) month full-time Pro Tech employees are eligible to accrue ten (10) days vacation at one (1) - five (5) years of service.  The accrual days are incrementally improved by five (5) days at the completion of five (5), eleven (11) and twenty (20) consecutive years of service respectively.