Per OAR 333-019-1030, MESD is requiring all newly hired employees to be fully vaccinated.

We offer a generous benefits package including medical, dental, vision, Rx plan, flex spending accounts, employee assistance program (EAP), paid holidays, basic & voluntary life insurance, STD/LTD & employer paid contribution into PERS (Oregon Public Employees Retirement System). We support our employees’ continued education through our Tuition Reimbursement Program.

Department: Education Services 

Days per school year: 210

Hours per week: 40

Start Date: 22-23 School Year 

REPORTS TO: Designated Supervisor

POSITION PURPOSE:

The purpose of this position is to provide leadership and strategic planning for implementation of Student Success Act technical assistance in the key area of Paraeducator Professional Learning. The Paraeducator Professional Learning Coach - Early Literacy will build capacity in regional districts by providing deep expertise, developing and implementing training and coaching supports and building partnerships that promote early literacy training opportunities and skill development for paraeducators in local schools. The coach will groundwork in MESD’s trauma informed framework, Safe & Connected Schools. All coaches will be trained in the Safe & Connected Schools framework.

The Paraeducator Professional Learning Coach – Early Literacy will be in one position on a regional team of coaches to grow and systematize equitable, trauma-informed cultures across eight Multnomah County school districts and multiple early learning systems. This position focuses on supporting paraeducators in developing their own abilities to support early literacy in their schools, through the delivery of professional development, ongoing team and individual coaching, and the modeling of anti-oppressive, trauma-informed techniques and strategies that promote well-being and school connectedness for ALL students.

In Safe and Connected Schools, staff, students and families are supported in feeling safe, connected and effective. Relationships and culture are centered in policy, procedure and practice. Harm is addressed in ways that meet individual and community unique needs and undo systemic patterns of racism and oppression. Equity, trauma-informed, restorative practices resist creating more harm and re-traumatization while also promoting healing, well-being, and connection.

NATURE & SCOPE:

This position is subject to board policies, administrative rules and procedures, department regulations and applicable State and Federal statutes. This position carries no administrative authority or responsibility.

ESSENTIAL LEADERSHIP QUALITIES:

1. Trust: Develop trust among co-workers through honesty and fairness.
2. Communication: Communicate in an inclusive and collaborative manner.
3. Vision: Lead with vision and follow-through.
4. Personal Qualities: Be respectful, caring and courageous.
5. Management Style: Be visible, humble, and a team player.
6. Agency-wide perspective: Be involved in, and supportive of continuous overall improvement of MESD.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Coordinates and facilitates regional communities of practice focused on the implementation of Safe and Connected Schools with district and school administrators, teachers, coaches, counselors, and educational support staff.
2. Designs and delivers training on early literacy at the classroom, school, and district levels.
3. Supports Paraeducator Professional Learning Team on team projects, such as running annual conferences or presenting on work.
4. Collect and analyze data for continuous improvement and to inform support provided to districts using a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework.
5. Provide coaching support to administrators and teachers around team building with paraeducators, and fully utilizing paraeducators to support student development
6. Integrate research on Adverse Childhood Experiences, childhood exposure to violence, historical trauma, systemic racism and other forms of oppression as well as solutions oriented, and healing centered practices into comprehensive coaching strategies across schools for teachers, staff, and administrators;
7. Partner with regional mental health systems, and additional relevant community partners to ensure aligned systems of support are in place for students.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Attend ODE or MESD-assigned state or national training related to Safe and Connected Schools and regional mental/behavioral health systems.
2. Attends state, department, and other staff meetings as assigned. 
3. Performs other related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed in a wide variety of locations (regionally, statewide, locally) including State offices, businesses, school districts, job sites, and local schools. This work involves driving to different sites each day of the week, time management, and the ability to communicate effectively with multiple stakeholders on a daily basis.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• A deep understanding of early literacy development and methodology to support students in it.
• A deep commitment to addressing disproportionality in student outcomes that exists across race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability status, income, geography, and language;
• Ability to understand and implement complex school culture systems;
• Understanding of best practices in adult learning, prior coaching experience preferred;
• Experience and/or interest in disrupting an existing culture in ways that excite those involved and entice people to adopt practices;
• Understanding of trauma-informed research, practices and policies as they relate to education systems with a particular focus on aligned anti-racist strategies;
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously;
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a diverse group of people;
• Familiarity with improvement science principles and/or other continuous improvement framework;
• Familiarity with Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS);
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills;
• Ability to critically examine and analyze data;
• An understanding of educational policy and practice;
• Ability to build relationships across a diverse group of stakeholders;
• Experience managing multiple relationships with stakeholders that represent a broad cross-section of the community through a strong ethic of customer service, professionalism, and integrity;
• Ability to take direction from a number of partners and sources and then work autonomously to get the work done; 
• A creative self-starter that is comfortable with ambiguity and improvisation;
• Expertise with Google Apps;
• Bilingual and/or bicultural candidates preferred
• Experience planning and delivering trainings and professional learning opportunities to individuals and large groups;
• Transportation available for on the job use.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Minimum bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or equivalent education/experience; a master’s degree in education is preferred. Applicants who have any combination of education, experience or demonstrable life experience that meets the requirements of this position are encouraged to apply. People from diverse backgrounds and identities who have lived experience navigating systems that were not designed for them to thrive are encouraged to apply.