Family Advocate

Family Advocate (Bilingual - Spanish)

The Guadalupe Centers Charter Schools serve 1400 students from PreK-12 and is a free, open-enrollment public charter school. Over 96% of our students are Latinx. Our school system consists of Guadalupe Centers High School, Guadalupe Centers Middle School, and Guadalupe Centers Elementary School. Our system grew out of Guadalupe Centers’ educational programming. Guadalupe Centers is the longest continuously operating agency serving the Latinx community in the US since 1919. Our roots in our community run deep.

There are many benefits to working at GCCS, with some of them being:

• Student and Families: GCCS teachers strive to form strong relationships with our students and their families. Our organization grew out of Guadalupe Centers, the longest continuously operating agency serving the Latinx community in the US. These community ties are integral to who we are. 

• Staff Autonomy: Teachers at GCCS appreciate having the autonomy to try proven and new approaches in their classrooms and are encouraged to innovate. Teachers' experience is valued, and they are given space to collaborate and share their best practices. 

• Coaching and Development: Staff at GCCS collaborate with their leaders on their growth and development. GCCS teachers set a professional development goal in collaboration with their coaches, colleagues, and in district initiatives. All staff are aligned on working on their development over the year.

Additional benefits include, but are not limited to: Competitive compensation and benefits, a qualifying relocation stipend upon hire, a bilingual (Spanish) stipend upon hire, and tuition reimbursement. GCCS has also expanded our benefits around well-being and mental health. 

Reports To: Building Principal

Summary:

The Family Advocate (Bilingual) is employed to engage parents as active partners to increase student achievement and reach school goals. In collaboration with parents and staff, this position will develop, organize, improve, and support parent/family engagement activities/events and coordinate the school-wide parent volunteer program. They will serve as the outreach liaison between parents/families, the school, and the community. This position will promote family wellness and support the implementation of a comprehensive family partnership process. This position also operates as a liaison between the classroom and home settings in the areas of education, child development, and safety for our youngest learners. 

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Welcome families into the school system program and share information about transitioning into the school setting.
• Assist Pre-K families in the development of Family Partnership Goals and monitor progress.
• Assist Pre-K families in the development of a Family Needs Assessment and secure support resources.
• Maintain a professional relationship with staff and families.
• Serves as outreach liaison between school, families, community, and District, which may include home visits.
• Providing information to parents about the resources available to them throughout the school system and community.
• Providing information to parents about the local school's procedures, instructional programs, and the names and roles of administrators and staff members.
• Plans, implements, and evaluates training/workshops to help parents/families participate more effectively in improving their children's learning.
• Collaborates with teachers, coaches, interventionists, and other staff to provide parent/family education and training relevant to student learning and/or goals.
• Prepares all materials for parent/family meetings and workshops, including but not limited to, flyers/agendas, transportation, childcare, and refreshments.
• Maintain ongoing contact with teaching staff in order to share relevant home information and gain information regarding the child's performance in the classroom.
• Advocate and collaborate with Guadalupe Centers Inc. and other community agencies to support child, family, and agency outcomes.
• Contacting parents to serve on school committees or to attend special events at the school.
• Serving as a contact person for parents to call with questions about the school services or specific activities and events.
• Create and promote family activities and involvement through parent meetings, field trips, policy council, classroom engagement, and newsletters. Coordinates and facilitates parent volunteer programs.
• Facilitates and/or leads parent meetings or activities.
• May be required to work some evenings.
• Maintaining confidentiality in carrying out responsibilities.
• Participating or helping with the School Improvement Committee and/or school renewal efforts.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, in both English and Spanish.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a proven ability to maintain professionalism and tact in high-stress situations.
• Committed to working with underserved students.
• Ability to maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties, including all other employees, parents, and the general public.
• Is trustworthy and dependable.

• Actively demonstrate empathy and social perceptiveness
• Knowledge of Early Childhood Education, intervention, and the referral process is preferred.
• Relates well to people of all ethnic groups.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors Degree required. Preferred degree in Education or Certification in Social Work.
• 2 years of experience working in Early Childhood Education is preferred.
• Two to four years of experience with Parent Involvement is preferred.
• Experience in an urban school setting is preferred.
• Bilingual and biliterate ability, in English and Spanish, is required.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of standing and walking throughout the school and classroom.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Must be able to access and navigate all areas of the school and other facilities as needed.

Application Process:

Please complete an application, which may be found at www.gck12.org/o/gc/page/work-for-gccs.If a position requires a degree, please upload a copy of transcripts and/or degree certification to your application. Other attachments, such as a cover letter or resume, can also be uploaded and attached to the application.

Guadalupe Centers Charter Schools conforms to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, who fully and actively supports equal access for all qualified applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information or Testing, Family and Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law, and prohibits retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination.