Family Advocate: High School - Stamford, United States - Domus Kids, Inc

Description

Job Overview and Requirements

Are you ready to transform the educational experience of incoming and repeat 9th grade students in high school who haven't yet found academic success? Do you want to work in a cutting-edge program that can ensure disengaged students are on track to graduate? Are you looking to be challenged, have fun, work hard, and incorporate student feedback into the model as we continue to refine it? Domus is looking for several Family Advocates, some of whom are fluent in Spanish, to implement a program for disengaged students.

The Family Advocate works alongside school staff at Westhill High School or Stamford High School with a caseload of up to 25 students who are disengaged at enrollment with the goal of helping them to re-engage in their school community, graduate from high school and enroll in a post secondary opportunity or obtain employment on the path to self sufficient income.

REPORTS TO:
Director of Domus Vikings or Domus Knights


OUR HIRING PROCESS & TIMELINE:

• To apply, you must submit a resume and a cover letter.

Domus is an equal opportunity employer. People of color and bilingual Spanish speakers, especially those from Stamford, are strongly encouraged to apply.

Domus offers a competitive health benefits package, 403b plan and generous paid time off and professional development opportunities.


Essential Responsibilities:


Relentless Relationship Building with Students_ - Typical time spent: 60%_

• Engage students in 11, face to face, positive, life changing relationships and become a trusted, goto resource
• Utilize teachable moments to teach/model interpersonal communication skills
• Provide skills building "on the hoof" (in real time)
• Use method of assertive friendliness actively seeking contact with students rather than waiting to be greeted, or for a student to ask for help
• Address students' past and current traumas and stressors as they relate to the underlying drivers of current behavioral challenges
• Utilize Thoughts, Emotions and Behaviors (cognitive behavioral skills) to build students emotion management and resilience
• Use Domus' core principles to build relationships, most importantly never giving up and giving many chances
• Connect students who need it with tutoring, mentoring and other community supports
• Create Student Success Plans (long

- and short-term goals) with students

• Document SSP goals and progress towards those goals
• Document daily face to face interactions with students as well as any behavioral or attendance challenges the students may have

Collaborating with School Staff_ - Typical time spent: 25%_

• Conference with teachers to monitor progress of students and troubleshoot when necessary
• Work with teachers to identify any missing class/homework and coordinate with students to complete work assignments and hand it in
• Provide crisis intervention in the classroom
• Attend any student meetings including PPT meetings, SST meetings, staff meetings, etc.
• Document any interactions with school staff in support of program students

Collaborating with Families_ - Typical time spent: 15% _

• Assess ongoing needs of the household and provide connections to resources as necessary
• Communicate consistently with families, and connect with each student's family to plan together for the success of the students
• Connect students who need it with tutoring, mentoring and other community supports
• Document monthly family engagement targets

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and/or experience working with target population preferred.
• A great sense of humor
• Willingness to work within systems, with a nuanced understanding of the balance of building relationships and advocating within an institution that is not operated by Domus.
• Commitment to the Domus mission, values and core principles.
• Certified or able to become certified in CPR.
• Valid driver's license in good standing.

Skills

_Required:
_

• A strong work ethic
• High emotional intelligence, able to easily develop deep, trusting relationships with diverse individuals from many different backgrounds
• General computer literacy, prior experience with Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Ability to receive and respond to constructive feedback
• Ability to collect required data and respond to the data
• Flexibility and adaptability, able to shift styles to fit the needs of a wide range of cultures, people, and organizations
• Ability to work in a program where we will be learning together as we continue to adapt our program model to help students reach their short and longterm outcomes
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to help young people repair relationships, using a variety of methods including a restorative justice model
• Maintain relationships with outside community supports and connections as appropriate for students

_Preferred:
_

• Spanish speaking

Core Program Beliefs
The following beliefs