Community School Coordinator

Position Title: Community School Coordinator

F.T.E: 1.0

Location: Chicago, IL

Reports To: School Principal

Start Date: Immediately

The Mission of Distinctive Schools, an educational practice leader committed to social justice and the elevation of access and achievement in historically marginalized communities, is to support each child in becoming an engaged and curious learner, a confident self-advocate, and a creative problem-solver by setting high expectations and nurturing a positive culture that honors diversity, collaboration, and optimism.

Position Description:

The Community School Coordinator (CSC) provides leadership and vision in the ongoing planning, development, direction, and evolution of the community school. This person is responsible for leading the team that will transform the school into a comprehensive community school. The CSC partners with the school principal and the school-based instructional leadership team (ILT), staff members, students, families, and the greater community to identify the school community’s assets and needs and develop a continuum of student and family services, and create a thriving Community School partnership that supports students and families, connects the school to the community, and fosters an atmosphere of academic excellence, inclusivity, and collective responsibility. The CSC facilitates the development and implementation of the strategic plan and/or campus growth plan in collaboration with school and community members/partners; oversees the alignment of assets with needs; and manages the integration of before and after school programs and wraparound services with the academic program and schedule. The Coordinator may also engage in fundraising activities. This person will:

Culture

• Build and foster positive and professional relationships with all stakeholders - students, staff, families, and community members

• Honor community and stakeholder input when making decisions

• Foster positive climate and culture

• Maintain visibility with all stakeholders

• Represent the school and the organization at community events to gain real-time insights into how to forge sustainable partnerships in service of the Community School

Program Planning and Management

• Meet regularly with the school principal to advise on how to integrate partners and community members into existing school structures

• Meet regularly with the Director of Student Enrollment & Engagement and the Executive Director of Development & Partnerships to research and secure academic and non-academic opportunities

• Oversee all program partners providing before- and/or after-school and weekend services at the community school

• Partner with parent advisory groups to ensure strong participation, initiatives, and teacher-family connections

• Plan and make recommendations for the implementation of high quality program activities that meet the mission and vision of the program and align to the needs of the community

• Leverage community assets and partnerships to provide resources and learning opportunities for families

• Identify, collect, and disseminate family resources that meet the community’s identified needs

• Align resources and partnerships to Campus Growth Plan goals and priorities.

• Seek and collect feedback from teachers, staff, families, and students to identify ongoing needs of students and families

• Respond to parent questions and concerns in partnership with the school principal

• Assume responsibility for additional school programs based on principal and network team requests.

• Manage before/aftercare staff members to assure they have training, information, and materials needed

• Communicate with school staff, before/aftercare staff, student, and families on scheduling, space, time, and logistics.

Leadership Development

• Attend and participate in regional and network professional development sessions

• Actively research and pursue in potential community partnership opportunities

• Seek and be receptive to professional feedback as a way to continually grow

• Represent Distinctive Schools and the campus at community events as a way to bolster partnerships and elevate the school’s presence

• Attend weekly instructional leadership team (ILT) meetings

• Contribute to the creation and execution of the Campus Growth Plan (CGP)

  
  

Requirements:

Education/Background:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, counseling, education or related field required

• Five years of experience working with children in educational, activity or social service including experience facilitating supportive and social emotional programming to youth and adolescents.

• Experience working within a school setting, and functioning as team leader of a group of stakeholders, including school administration, faculty, and support service personnel.

• Experience with community engagement; negotiating with a variety of stakeholders, leading shared decision-making and problem solving.

• Bilingual preferred

Qualifications:

• Fluent in Bilingual Spanish written & oral communications) preferred

• A long-standing member of the local community

• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule that includes evenings and some weekends

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and design events that strengthen family, staff and community participation

• Strong written and communication skills

• Excellent organization, time management and follow-up skills; high sense of commitment; ability to work as part of a team

• Proficient in Google Suite

  
  

Why Join the Distinctive Schools Team:

• We are a collaborative team of professionals supporting each other to instill a love of learning in our students

• We empower students, families and staff to contribute to our mission in a meaningful way

• We make an impact in our communities by serving some of the most historically marginalized in the city

• We offer a great benefits package for full time employees (Medical; Dental; Vision; PTO; 403b match)

  
  

Distinctive Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other personal characteristic protected by applicable law.