Virtual Scholar Assistant - 0.5 FTE - Virtual Scholars

Portland Public Schools (PPS) is seeking talented people from diverse backgrounds and experiences to lead change and inspire PPS students. At PPS, every employee, despite having different roles, is an educator. We hope to attract talented educators who model the core PPS Educator Essentials. With the District’s focus on eliminating systemic racism and its adverse impact on student learning, we seek to hire individuals who bring to our district a deep commitment to racial equity and social justice.

The District is committed to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in all its educational and employment activities. The District prohibits discrimination based on perceived or actual race; national or ethnic origin; color; sex; religion; age; sexual orientation; gender expression or identity; pregnancy; marital status; veteran’s status; familial status; economic status or source of income; mental or physical disability or perceived disability; or military service.

504 Coordinator: Katie Loewen, kloewen@pps.net, 503-916-3337 x63337
ADA Coordinator: Jey Buno, jbuno@pps.net, 503-916-3360
Title IX Program Manager: Bobby Cruz, bcruz@pps.net, 503-839-3660

Accessibility Statement

BASIC FUNCTION

The Virtual Scholar (VS) Assistant (Itinerant) will work with the Virtual Scholars administrative team to identify students at all Virtual Scholars locations/classrooms to support students enrolled in the VS program. As a member of the Virtual Scholars MTSS Team, the VS Assistant (Itinerant) will work to support students at PPS high schools and at home. The VS Assistant (Itinerant) is able to effectively use all VS technologies to support students, primarily in-person at all VS served-schools.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
This description does not describe all duties performed. This summary provides examples of typical tasks performed.

• Under the general direction of Virtual Scholars administrator/instructional lead/designee, the VIrtual Scholars Assistant - VSA (Interant) provide support to students in Virtual Scholars classrooms located at program schools
• Participate as an effective team member in a manner that promotes collaboration for student success in online learning.
• Support students in earning credit in VS courses, including and not limited to the following:
  • Algebra and Geometry
  • Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
  • Health
  • Spanish
  • English Language Arts
  • Social Sciences
• Collect and report relevant student performance data including coursework, check-ins and attendance using a variety of technologies and software.
• In collaboration with VS MTSS Team, provide support to students to successfully complete their VS course
  Implement in-person instructional support in Virtual Scholars Hubs
• Implement strategies to support students for goal setting and time management in online learning
  In collaboration with the VS Team, support the VS check-in process
• Participate in meetings with VS administration to support the implementation of intervention plans that are developed by the educators.
• Follow a flexible schedule to support Virtual Scholars students in the VS Scholars Hubs.
• Participate in trainings, in-services, workshops and meetings related to assigned activities.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the Portland Public Schools Racial Equity and Social Justice Commitment by developing a thorough knowledge and application of the district Racial Educational Equity Policy, the PPS RESJ Framework and Plan, and the PPS RESJ Partnerships Investment Strategy and other board policies; participate in staff development, in-services and trainings related to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and in K – 12 education; model appropriate behaviors; develop, recommend and implement improvements to educational practices with awareness and understanding of their impact in a racially and culturally diverse community.

Note: See the Classification Specification which identifies essential duties required. This is strictly for use in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

The following knowledge and abilities are in addition to those outlined in the classification.

Knowledge of:

• Effective oral and written communication skills.
  Experience learning online or providing support to online learners
• High degree of fluency in using the following tools (or their equivalent): Google sheets/Excel, Canvas LMS and tools within Canvas, video conferencing
  General principles of child and adolescent behavior and development.
• Conflict resolution techniques.
• One-on-one and small group facilitation techniques.
• Oral and written communication techniques.
  Report writing and record keeping methods and techniques.
• Operation of a variety of educational technology including a computer and assigned software.

Ability to:

• Ability to work as a team member.
• Ability to accomplish self directed work
• Ability to gather and report relevant data
• Work with K-12 students from diverse backgrounds.
  Build rapport, mentor and guide children and adolescents.
• Monitor and report on individual and group student plans and progress.
• Model positive behaviors with enthusiasm, humor, dedication, passion, and patience.
• Learn, apply and explain policies and objectives of programs, school, and District programs and activities.
• Advocate, model, learn and implement Portland Public Schools’ Racial Equity Initiative.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Maintain confidentiality and demonstrate discretion, initiative and good judgment.
• Operate a variety of office machines, technologies and software including web-based instructional tools such as Canvas LMS, G-Suite (Google), and web facilitation tools such as WebEx, Join.Me, and Google Hangouts.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Education: Two (2) years, full time, college coursework in Education, Counseling, Psychology, Sociology, Criminology, Social Work or related field is required (official transcripts MUST be provided prior to hire).
• Experience: Two (2) years of experience working with adolescents to effect positive academic, social and/or emotional life-skills behaviors, and/or mentorship or tutoring is required. Experience serving the needs of a richly diverse student and community population is highly desirable.
• Any other combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities may be considered.

Special Requirements:
Work hours may include on- and off-campus evening and weekend activities and meetings and district, school and student functions.

This position requires the use of a personal automobile and possession of a valid Class C Oregon driver’s license.

SALARY: $21.62 - $27.22

WORK YEAR: 192 days

FTE: 0.5

Portland Public Schools (PPS) offers several competitive and comprehensive benefit packages to employees. Fringe benefits include medical, dental, vision, prescription, life and disability insurance, employee assistance program, 403(b) retirement savings plan and various leave and professional development programs. Depending on the insurance option selected by the employee, there may be an employee contribution toward insurance.

Portland Public Schools is a public employer and participates in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS/OPSRP). Eligible employees are required by statute to contribute 6% of salary on a pre-tax basis to OPSRP/IAP, after serving six months under a PERS employer.

For more information about additional benefits or compensation options by employee group, please visit our website at: https://www.pps.net/Page/1635

PPS strongly encourages and recommends everyone who is able, to be vaccinated and remain current on the COVID-19 vaccine.

This job is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as received. Portland Public Schools reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any point during the posting period.

This position is three days a week—likely Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays—at five schools per week.

This position requires a cover letter specific to the job description.