Equitable Support Specialist (Part-Time)

REPORTS TO: Director of Equitable Learning and Support

Primary Function:

The Equitable Support Specialist is responsible for working with the Director of Equitable Learning and Support in assisting schools in implementing social-emotional learning (SEL) strategies and initiatives. The specialist will work closely with school counselors, social workers, and other staff to support students experiencing homelessness and will support Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives across the district. The Equitable Support Specialist will collaborate with various stakeholders to create an inclusive, equitable, and supportive educational environment for all students.

Reports To and Evaluated By:

The Equitable Support Specialist reports directly to and is evaluated by the Director of Equitable Learning and Support.

MISSION: The Chester Upland School District is committed to providing all students the opportunity to achieve excellence in the four A's: Academics, Athletics, Arts, and Activities.

The senior leadership team continues to build a talented and committed team to ensure all students are prepared to graduate from Chester Upland schools career and college ready! The C.O.R.E. is the foundation of the Chester Upland School District’s vision and mission.

C.O.R.E.:
C- Children First: The well-being and continuous learning of every child will drive decisions.
O- One Chester Upland: With dedicated community of partners, parents, students and staff, we will excel, united as One Chester Upland.
R- Reimagining: Through a mode of continuous improvement, we will apply four important levers for change, collaboration, capacity building, deepening knowledge of pedagogy, and focusing direction to improve outcomes for all.
E- Equity, Excellence, and Emotional Intelligence: We will ensure equitable access to a quality education that includes emotional intelligence and leads to excellence across all opportunities and services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Support:

• Collaborate with schools to support implementation of SEL programs that align with the district's vision and goals (Positive Action, First Five, SEL Calendar, Supplemental Resources).
• Support staff in classrooms by modeling sample SEL lessons as needed.
• Help/Facilitate lunch/small groups and district wide initiatives pertaining to SEL.
• Participate in community events as necessary.
• Work collaboratively with Director to develop and provide training and resources to educators and staff to effectively integrate SEL into the classroom.
• Assist with monitoring and assessing the impact of SEL initiatives, recommending adjustments and improvements as needed.

2. Support for Students Experiencing Homelessness:

• Work closely with Director, school counselors, and social workers to help identify and support students experiencing homelessness.
• Understand the laws pertaining to McKinney Vento and other Federal, Local and State laws as it pertains to homelessness and educational rights.
• Contact and follow up with families or agencies involved.
• Cross departmental work as needed.
• Assist the Director with developing and implementing strategies to address the academic, social, and emotional needs of students experiencing homelessness.
• Serve as a liaison between Director and school/community organizations that provide services and support to displaced families.
• Learn and understand the ECYEH (Education of Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness) database to track the information required by the state.

3. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Initiatives:

• Assist the Director in the development and implementation of district-wide DEIB initiatives and programs.
• Help facilitate workshops and training sessions to promote cultural awareness, sensitivity, and competence among staff and students.
• Collaborate with Director and school leaders to create an inclusive, integrated curriculum that reflects diverse perspectives and experiences.
• Help promote and foster a sense of belonging throughout all departments and buildings in our district.

4. Collaboration and Advocacy:

• Build and maintain strong partnerships with community organizations, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders.
• Advocate for equitable policies and practices within schools and the district.
• Provide guidance and support to schools in creating inclusive environments that foster a sense of belonging for all students.

5. Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Collect and analyze data related to SEL and DEIB initiatives.
• Assist Director with preparing reports and presentations for district leadership, highlighting progress, challenges, and recommendations for improvement.
• Use data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for targeted interventions.

Additional Duties
Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.

Equipment

• Uses standard office equipment such as personal computer, copy machine, fax machine, telephone.
• Uses calculating devices.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.

Experience:

• Experience in education, social work, or a related field, preferably with a focus on SEL, McKinney Vento, DEIB
• Experience working with diverse populations and communities, particularly those experiencing homelessness or other challenges.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong understanding of social-emotional learning, trauma-informed practices, McKinney Vento Homelessness Assistance Act, DEIB principles.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
• Computer literate (Word, Excel, Databases, Data Entry)
• Ability to work collaboratively with educators, administrators, families, and community partners.
• Strong organizational and relationship building skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in data collection and analysis to inform decision-making.
• This position may require travel between schools and district offices, community organizations, and other places within the community.
• This position may also require travel to conferences and meetings.
• Occasional evening or weekend meetings or events may be required.

Physical Necessities and Work Environment:

Position requires sitting, standing, walking, or moving throughout the building, often for extended periods of the workday. Must be able to hear (40 decibel loss maximum), verbally communicate, and have vision requirements of near acuity of 20 inches or less and far acuity of 20 feet or more with depth perception, accommodation, and field vision. Required to move (push, pull, lift, carry, slide) office supplies weighing no more than 45 pounds. Requires use of either hand for fine manipulation, simple grasping, and push/pull functions. Performs a variety of duties. Climbs stairs in and or around the building. May occasionally bend and reach to secure records/files from desk, shelves, and filing cabinets. Requires use of either hand for simple grasping, fine manipulation, and push/pull functions. Subject to inside environmental conditions.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: The information in this job description is for compliance with Chester Upland School District Board Policy and the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities and qualifications for the position. The incumbent may perform or be assigned other duties.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The Chester Upland School District (CUSD) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CUSD ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or disability. Any individual needing assistance in making application for any opening should contact the Department of Human Resources at 267-916-5169.