School Resource Advocate (Multiple Openings)
To apply for this opportunity, submit a cover letter and résumé to Lynne@UnitedWayoftheWestShore.org.
Please submit materials by Friday, October 2nd.
United Way of the West Shore, serving Mason and Manistee Counties, has 3.5 FTE job openings for School Resource Advocates at the following locations:
Mason County Eastern School District, Custer – 20 hours per week
Manistee Public School District, Manistee – 40 hours per week
Casman Academy, Manistee, and Onekama Consolidated School District, Onekama – 40 hours per week, serving both locations
Bear Lake Community Schools, Bear Lake, and Kaleva Norman Dickson Schools, Brethren – 40 hours per week, serving both locations.
(NOTE: If you have a work location preference, please provide within your cover letter)
Compensation and Benefits
Salary: $36,554–$38,252 annually for full-time positions, depending on qualifications and experience. The 20-hour-per-week position is compensated at 50% of the full-time salary range.
Benefits:
Paid Time Off
Paid holidays
Health benefit: QSEHRA (Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement)
Life insurance
Short-term disability
SIMPLE IRA with employer match
Work Schedule: Salaried, exempt position based on 220 working days per year
The School Resource Advocate is an employee of United Way of the West Shore and will work on-site at the school district(s) which they are hired.
General Derscription
The School Resource Advocate supports student achievement and family well-being by connecting students and families with needed health, behavioral health, educational, and community support services. The Advocate works collaboratively with school personnel, service providers, students, and families to identify barriers to student success and coordinate appropriate resources.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Meet regularly with school and college administrators, counselors, and student success specialists to identify student and family support needs.
Coordinate and facilitate meetings to support collaboration among students, families, schools, and service providers.
Assist school staff in identifying students who may benefit from health, behavioral health, or community support services.
Identify and engage community resources and partners to address school, student, and family needs.
Advocate for students and families in accessing appropriate services and support systems.
Serve as a liaison between schools and service providers to ensure appropriate access to services for students.
Promote effective communication among parents/guardians, school personnel, and community service providers.
Participate in school and community activities that support student and family engagement and access to resources.
Conduct home visits and community outreach as needed to support students and families.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation and required reports.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.
Qualifications
The successful candidate will possess the education, experience, skills, and abilities necessary to effectively perform the essential duties of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in education, social work, human services, public health, counseling, psychology, or a related field preferred.
Three to five years of experience in education, health, human services, social services, or a related field preferred.
Experience working with children, youth, families, or school personnel preferred.
Experience working with community organizations and service providers preferred.
Bilingual Spanish-speaking skills are a plus.
Working proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel required.
Familiarity with database or case-management software preferred.
Reasoning and Problem-Solving Skills
Ability to identify barriers to student and family success and develop appropriate solutions.
Ability to gather information, assess needs, establish facts, and draw appropriate conclusions.
Ability to identify and connect individuals and families with appropriate community resources.
Ability to manage situations involving multiple needs, service providers, and competing priorities.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions within established guidelines.
Ability to work independently while maintaining effective communication with school and United Way staff.
Communication Skills
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to prepare reports and correspondence clearly and professionally.
Ability to communicate effectively with students, parents/guardians, school personnel, service providers, and community partners.
Ability to listen effectively and establish trusting relationships with students and families.
Ability to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse educational, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds.
Ability to maintain positive and professional working relationships with a variety of partners.
Organizational Skills
Ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks and responsibilities.
Ability to maintain accurate and timely records and documentation.
Ability to manage confidential information appropriately.
Ability to follow established procedures and meet reporting deadlines.
Ability to adapt to changing priorities and student or family needs.
Additional Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of health, behavioral health, educational, and social service systems preferred.
Strong collaboration, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with students, families, school personnel, and community partners.
Ability to work independently and take initiative.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
Positive attitude and ability to work effectively in a variety of school and community environments.
Willingness to participate in occasional evening or weekend activities as needed.
Must possess a valid Michigan driver's license, reliable transportation, and the ability to travel between school and community locations as needed.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Regularly required to communicate verbally and hear effectively.
Frequently required to sit and use hands to handle objects, tools, or controls.
Frequently required to sit, stand, and walk within school and community environments.
Occasionally required to bend, reach, climb stairs, or lift and carry materials weighing up to 25 pounds.
May be required to conduct home visits and travel to community locations.
Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
Must be able to travel between assigned schools and community locations in various weather conditions.
