Associate Director II – Parent Advocate

GRANITE SCHOOL DISTRICT – ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR II – PARENT ADVOCATE

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, training, education, responsibilities, abilities; the machines, tools and equipment used; background; and any licenses or certifications required. Regular attendance and timeliness is an essential job function to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Job Summary

The Director II Parent Advocate serves as a neutral, independent, and confidential resource to address concerns, complaints, and conflicts within the school district. This role promotes fair processes, resolves disputes, and facilitates communication between students, parents, staff, and administration. The Parent Advocate operates independently of formal administrative structures to ensure impartiality. They connect patrons with resources and follows up to ensure problems are addressed and ultimately resolved.

Essential Functions
Conflict Resolution and Mediation:

• Listen impartially to concerns raised by students, parents, staff, and community members.
• Facilitate discussions to resolve disputes between parties.
• Mediate conflicts to achieve mutually acceptable solutions.

Advocacy for Fair Processes:

• Ensure adherence to district policies, procedures, and ethical standards.
• Advocate for equity and fairness without taking sides.

Confidential Support:

• Maintain confidentiality, except in cases of legal or safety requirements.
• Provide a safe environment for individuals to share their concerns.

Policy Analysis and Feedback:

• Identify recurring themes or systemic issues and provide recommendations to district leadership.
• Offer feedback on policies and procedures to enhance fairness and efficiency.

Training and Education:

• Conduct workshops on conflict resolution, effective communication, and problem-solving.
• Educate patrons on available internal resources and how to self advocate.
• Educate stakeholders on the Ombudsman’s role and district policies.

Communication and Reporting:

• Serve as a liaison between stakeholders while remaining neutral.
• Connect patrons to internal resources.
• Follow up with patrons to ensure they have been served by internal resources.
• Prepare annual reports summarizing issues, trends, and recommendations without compromising confidentiality.

Non-Essential Functions

Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to remain impartial and handle sensitive situations with discretion
• Proficiency in problem-solving and consensus-building
• Empathetic and active listener
• Integrity and impartiality
• Analytical and detail oriented

Required Education, Training and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Master’s degree in education, conflict resolution, social work, or related field preferred.

Required Prior Experience

• Proven experience in conflict resolution, mediation, or similar roles.
• Familiarity with school district operations and policies.
• Internal Applicants preferred

Assigned Decision Making
Makes decisions concerning the best way to accomplish tasks assigned. Needs to be able to motivate people to work cooperatively and efficiently as a team. Must be able to handle emergencies as they arise. Must take direction well and be able to work within specific guidelines. Make suggestions but must be willing to follow directions.

Non-Supervisory Interaction

• Interacts and collaborates with employees, board members, patrons, administrators and secretaries in schools.
• Works with various department secretaries, coordinators, managers and directors.
• Works positively and collaboratively with District departments including administrators and secretaries.
• Able to create and support a team-based environment within the program and department.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Assists in providing supervision to department staff in the Director’s absence.

Budget Responsibility

• Will work with the department director on department budgets.

Working Environment

• Work takes place in a typical school environment.
• Supervision of students requires both indoor and outdoor responsibilities (e.g. recess duty, gymnasium activities, etc.) in all types of weather and air quality.
• Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.

Physical Demands

This list of essential and marginal functions and of physical requirements is not exhaustive and may be supplemented in accordance with the requirements of the job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak and/or hear.
• The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, and crouch.
• The employee is occasionally required to use hands to handle or feel objects and must occasionally climb or balance.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.