Position Title:        Youth Advocate Specialist

Unit:                       Support Non-Exempt (SN)

Pay Rate:               Determined by the district

Earning Days:        Determined annually by the calendar

 

GRPS MISSION: Our mission is to ensure that all students are educated, self-directed and productive members of society.

 

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

The Youth Advocate Specialist’s primary focus is to provide support for students at risk, their parents, family members and guardians. The Youth Advocate will also work with school building staff (principal, teachers, social workers and other team members) to advocate for the rights of children at risk.

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS - Essential functions under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include any of the following duties, knowledge and skills.  This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by employees in this position. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job. Other essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following:

 

JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provide Title I services to early childhood intervention programs, elementary, middle and high school students identified as eligible for Title I services, including monitoring attendance, academic, behavioral and SEL support.  
• Assist with team approach (student, family, teachers, advocate and principal) to assess appropriate intervention plan.
• Report and articulate student concerns with appropriate stakeholders.
• Visit with identified Title I students to seek suitable options to help resolve concerns.
• Assist Title I students with being proactive in making choices that will lead to their success.
• Encourage and work with parents/guardians to actively participate in the decision-making process designed to impact their Title I child’s educational growth.
• Develop a positive relationship with Title I students, staff, and parents.
• Work as part of the school team and assist with creating a safe and orderly environment that is conducive to learning.
• Make telephone calls to parents or meet with them if needed.
• Assist Title I students with transition.
• Document Title I student/family contacts, maintain data, and provide on an on-going basis.
• Attend assigned trainings and meetings.
• Interact with co-workers, administration, Title I students, parents and the community in positive, supportive and cooperative ways.
• In-person and on-time attendance is mandatory.
• Other duties as assigned and as allowed by grant funding.

This description is intended to describe the type and level of work performed by a person assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required to be performed in the position.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFIATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in education, criminal justice, social work or human services
• At least 2 years of demonstrated experience working with at-risk students and families
• Must hold a valid Driver’s License and have reliable transportation

 

PREFERRED QUALIFIATIONS:

• Working knowledge of Outlook and student information systems or the willingness and the ability to learn

 

ADDITIONAL QUALIFIATIONS:

• Demonstrated experience working with computers. Working knowledge of Windows based programs (word processing)
• Demonstrated ability to effectively function as a professional team member
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills (oral and written)
• Demonstrated ability to deal with the multiplicity of an urban community population
• Demonstrated excellent organizational skills
• Demonstrated excellent leadership skills
• Demonstrated excellent attendance and punctuality
• Demonstrated ability to work with confidential information and maintain a high degree of confidentiality

 

ADA REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud to moderate. Work is performed indoors although there will be required outdoor activities. The employee is directly responsible for the safety and well-being of students.

 

MENTAL FUNCTIONS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to compare, analyze, communicate, copy, coordinate, instruct, compute, synthesize, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, compile and negotiate.

METHOD OF APPLICATION:

Grand Rapids Public Schools manages employment applications online.  Applications must be completed online at https://grps.tedk12.com/hire. No hardcopy applications/resumes will be accepted for this position.   Computer terminals are available in the GRPS Franklin Campus lobby from 8:00am – 4:00pm, Monday-Friday, for applicant use (Monday – Thursday during the summer).

 

Non-Discrimination

The Grand Rapids Public Schools will not discriminate against any person based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, height, weight, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, disability or veteran status.

 

Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations

Assistance with the application process may be requested though the Human Resources Department at 616 819-2022 or humanresources@grps.org