Student Advocate

Published: 6/14/2022

Job Description

Mission: The mission of the Latino Center of the Midlands (LCM) is to cultivate generations of engaged, thriving Latinos through educational foundations, workforce development and leadership opportunities.

Position Summary: The Pathways to Success (P2S) Student Advocates support the effective implementation and continuous improvements of both the Attendance and Círculos programs at LCM. Student Advocates integrate the responsibilities of student attendance advocacy with culturally grounded Círculos facilitation to support youth and families. The role will specifically support both programs by coordinating, implementing, communicating, and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. This role focuses on students experiencing barriers to academic success, particularly those with chronic absenteeism, disengagement, or academic challenges, and works holistically with both students and their families to improve academic, personal and social outcomes.

Grounded in three core strategies: 1.)Academic Monitoring & Support – consistent tracking of attendance, grades, and school engagement. 2.) Youth Development & Identity Building – facilitation of culturally relevant curriculum (Ollin/Xochikalli Círculos). 3.) Family Engagement & Advocacy – strengthening parent/guardian involvement. The goal of this role is to increase student attendance, academic performance, cultural identity development, leadership skills, and family engagement in education. The ideal candidate is highly organized, youth and community-oriented, and excited to make a difference by implementing P2S’s purpose of cultivating leadership potential and transformative skills in students by improving school attendance, fostering pro-social interactions, and reestablishing family engagement.

The ideal candidate should possess the following characteristics:

Finds joy in supporting youth succeed in the three core strategies above.
Has a personable nature and passion for mentoring and building positive relationships.
Collaborative and finds gratification in both supporting management and front-line staff.
Has experience in youth group facilitation, case management, or school-based support.
Think outside the box to overcome barriers faced by the individuals we serve.
Demonstrates good judgment, strong decision-making skills and is highly resourceful.
Experience working with special populations (juvenile justice and behavioral systems).
Strong understanding of Latino culture, values, and identity.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Student Advocacy & Case Management:

Monitor students with chronic absenteeism (specifically those with 10 or more absences from school during the previous or current semester) and academic concerns through regular
school visits (weekly touchbases with students).
Assess barriers to attendance and academic success and develop individualized action plans.
Review and revise the student’s action plan, as needed.
Maintain consistent communication with students, parents, counselors, and school staff.
Obtain releases of information and coordinate services with schools and community partners.
Provide coaching, referrals, follow-up, and home visits when needed.
Attend school meetings related to attendance, academic progress, and student support.
Facilitate skill-building activities and family engagement events.
Advocate for students in school, juvenile justice, and community setting

Círculos Facilitation (Ollin / Xochikalli)

Facilitate weekly semester-long groups at assigned schools and/or LCM sites.
Implement curriculum with fidelity using the National Compadres Network model.
Conduct participant intake, orientation, attendance tracking, and progress monitoring.
Establish and maintain referral sources to meet group capacity.
Communicate with key adults in participants’ lives regarding progress.

General

Ensures effective program implementation, operational support, participant-facing, and logistical execution.
Maintain a steady caseload of 35 students
Support special projects and duties as assigned by management (ex: forums, special events, fundraisers)

Data & Documentation Management:

Enter demographic, attendance, case notes, and assessment data into the LCM database (Apricot).
Enters and submits program data and data requests to management on a timely basis
Maintain accurate client files and confidentiality standards.
Compile and report data from pre/post assessments as required by grants.
Work with the direct supervisor to ensure data integrity and reporting compliance.

Outreach, Collaboration and Representation:

Promote P2S activities at schools and within the community.
Represent LCM at community meetings, coalitions, and events as assigned.
Build, have feedback loops, and maintain collaborative relationships with school personnel and partners ensure program alignment and facilitate problem-solving.
Seek out opportunities to remain current in knowledge of relevant educational research, trends in the fields of education, youth development, and parental engagement.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following:

Detail Oriented – Natural tendency to be thorough, accurate, organized, and productive; have the ability to remember details, adept at notetaking, ask probing questions to gain clarity, and proof all professional communication.
Proficiency in Personal Computer – Ability to effectively navigate and proactively use school systems (OPS), reporting/ database systems (Apricot) and Google Docs systems including Email, Calendar, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Effective Communication & Interpersonal Skills – Professional written and verbal communication skills and knowledge of professional email etiquette; strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with co-workers, adult learners, interns, and community partners; eager to collaborate and work on a team.
Self-Motivated & Driven to Succeed - Must be proactive with a desire to stretch beyond the task list to support the team, its programs, and the mission; mindful of deadlines and ability to problem-solve when challenges arise.
Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; sets goals and objectives.
Problem-Solving – Flexible and resourceful in supporting diverse program needs.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience working with youth and families.
Bilingual English/Spanish required.
Flexibility to work some evenings and occasional weekends.
Must possess a valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described you’re a representative of are those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Resume accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Manual dexterity and coordination are required over 50% of the work period while operating equipment such as computer keyboard, mouse, calculator and similar machines. Evening and weekend hours may be frequent to fulfill duties and to attend meetings/events.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The Latino Center of the Midlands acknowledges and honors the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. The LCM believes in creating and maintaining an environment that respects diverse traditions, heritages, and experiences and the commitment to equitable treatment and elimination of discrimination in all its forms at all organizational levels and throughout all programs