careers & internships

Job Title: Student Advocate
Department: Pathways to Success
Supervisor: Attendance Supervisor
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Full-Time
Salary: $21.00 per hour

Mission: The mission of the Latino Center of the Midlands is to cultivate generations of engaged, thriving Latinos through educational foundations, workforce development and leadership opportunities.

Position Summary: The primary purpose of the Student Advocate is to monitor selected students with poor attendance and to provide support to improve attendance and grades at school. The target group of students will have 10 or more absences from school during the previous or current semester. The Student Advocate will work very closely with students, parents, school counselors, school personnel and other adults (both within and outside of the school building) to reduce the barriers to improved attendance.

The program rests on three strategies: 1) advance academic achievement of students through regular visits and monitoring of attendance, grades and credits; 2) work with a particular focus on supporting parental engagement and development of parental advocacy skills and 3.) The ultimate goal is to ensure that the students we serve increase their school attendance, increase academic achievement and that the parents of these students are engaged and active in their child’s education.

Duties and Responsibilities

Program Implementation:

• Contacts and meets with youth on a regular basis to monitor and provide support for improved and regular attendance
• Assesses youth problems and diagnoses barriers to success on an ongoing basis; assists with identifying and connecting with resources to help overcome social, emotional, and economic needs in order to keep the youth in school, on time, and on track academically
• Maintains and records communication with youth and adults and facilitates timely correspondence and the exchange of accurate information
• Communicates with key adults in the youth’s life regarding attendance
• Develops an action plan based on the individual student’s needs and family needs
• Obtains release of information from parents of selected students in cooperation with school personnel
• Coordinates all services with the school and other organizations/community resources
• Provides counseling, case management, and follow-up with youth, parents, other adults, and community organizations; review and revise the action plan, as needed

Program Administration:

• Upload individual identifiable data to the LCM’s data collection system.
• Maintain case management notes, updates, and milestones for each participant in LCM database.
• Maintain client files and confidentiality standards and compile statistical data Attends required training and orientations to become a Student Advocate.
• Works with the Attendance Supervisor to ensure that data is accurately collected and reported as required by grant agreements.

Program Administration:

• Promotes all program activities at schools, with community organizations and other partners.
• Seeks out opportunities to remain current in knowledge of relevant educational research, trends in the fields of education, youth development and parental engagement.
• Works together with the Attendance Supervisor to represent the Latino Center of the Midlands at various community meetings, coalitions and groups.
• Advocates for participants in relevant school, juvenile justice, or community-based matters.
• Actively participates in agency events including forums, special events, and fundraisers.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) required.
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree or equivalent professional experience working with at-promise youth.
• Strong desire to work with students and their parents to improve the educational outcomes for low-income families and communities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work as part of a team, communicate effectively both orally and in writing, receive and provide feedback.
• Ability to facilitate positive, appropriate, and healthy connections between youth and adults.
• Ability to understand and work with special needs populations and services such as the juvenile justice system and social and behavioral/mental health.
• Professional manner that exemplifies attention to detail, confidentiality, patience, and a positive attitude toward work.
• Data entry and proficient use of Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation.

Physical Demands and Working conditions:

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit, communicate, reach and manipulate objects, tools or controls. The position requires mobility. Minimum physical exertion. Duties involve moving materials weighing up to 10 pounds on a regular basis and up to 20 pounds on an occasional basis. Manual dexterity and coordination are required over 50% of the work period while operating equipment such as computer keyboard, mouse, calculator and similar machines. Evening and weekend hours may be frequent to fulfill duties and to attend meetings/events.

The Latino Center of the Midlands acknowledges and honors the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. The LCM believes in creating and maintaining an environment that respects diverse traditions, heritages, and experiences and the commitment to equitable treatment and elimination of discrimination in all its forms at all organizational levels and throughout all programs.