Program Site Specialist - Student Advocate

4.0 hours per day, 9 months per year

Bilingual preferred (Spanish)

This position is temporary, funded through the 2024-2025 school year

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.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Social Work or a related field, or

• A minimum two year of college level studies and two years of directly related experience working with student populations including those impacted by poverty, and who are culturally, racially, and linguistically diverse

• Knowledge in restorative justice practices, trauma informed practices, peer mediation and/or Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) preferred

• Ability to use current technology tools and applications for a variety of purposes

• Ability to blend a balanced use of technology to support student access to learning

• Effectively communicate, orally and in writing, across a broad array of educational groups that include educators, parents/family, students, community service providers, and district staff

• Communicate respectfully with students and families who may be impacted by poverty, and/or students and families who are culturally, racially, and linguistically diverse

• Manage emotional and difficult situations (trauma informed practices, de-escalation, mediation)

• Build and maintain positive relationships with students and provide encouragement to students to strive to meet state standards and make academic gains

• Ensure student safety, positively manage student behaviors, and resolve conflicts

• Identify and resolve problems in a timely manner, with minimal supervision

• Maintain confidentiality

• Punctuality and the ability to manage time effectively

• Adapt to changes in the work environment

• Effectively prioritize competing demands and adjust to frequent changes

Other Requirements:

• Willingness to work flexible hours, including some evenings and/or Saturdays to support student learning

• Regular attendance to carry out the 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 practice the behaviors that are expected of our students

• Work in a flexible and cooperative manner

• Collaborate with students, educators, counselors, administration, families, and supportive community members/organizations to reduce barriers to academic success (e.g. attendance, behavior, or other factors)

• Work collaboratively, and with guidance, from counselors, teachers, school staff, and administration to review academic history, identify student learning needs and set goals, monitor student progress toward learning goals, and maintain accurate student data

• Participate in professional learning opportunities to broaden expertise in working with diverse student populations

• Conduct home visitations with students and families from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds

• Provide direct support, mentoring, and leadership to individual students or small groups to achieve academic skills

• Collect and communicate information regarding student progress to the certificated teachers in order to make appropriate adjustments to interventions and supports

• Maintain up-to-date and accurate compliance documentation

• Other incidental and allowable duties commensurate with the position

Additional functions required for positions funded by LAP:

• Maintain up-to-date and accurate compliance (LAP) documentation

• Identify and coordinate services for LAP identified students

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 (https://vansd.org/salary-schedules/) .

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 (https://www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits/school-employees) .

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 (https://www.drs.wa.gov/) .

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.