STUDENT VOICE DESIGN FACILITATOR

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision of the Washoe County School District Office of Accountability, and in partnership with district and school site staff, the Student Voice Design Facilitator will (a) intentionally, purposefully, and systematically elicit student viewpoints on specific and relevant topics for school improvement purposes and (b) provide professional learning to staff and students to support resulting actions to address school improvement.

EXEMPLARY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITES

The Student Voice Design Facilitator will be responsible for elevating and advocating for student voice in the school setting. More specifically, the Student Voice Design Facilitator will perform duties including, but not limited to:

• Coordinating Design Team Convenings, events designed for schools to help address pressing challenges to education (e.g., reducing chronic absenteeism, supporting students' mental health needs, creating fair behavior policies, engaging students through extracurriculars, etc.). This will include using equitable methods for identifying student participants who are representative of the student body and using the Five Elements of Student Voice to help students make positive changes at their school. The Five Elements are topics are relevant to students, 2. students have ongoing discussions with adults, 3. students are involved in planning and decisions, 4. shared power between students and adults, and 5. students are involved in the actions to address school improvement.
• Providing professional learning to attendees (students, school staff) on 1) elements of student voice, (b) how to foster critical thinking, (c) how to support development of social emotional skills, (d) foundations of social research, and (e) how to create space in schools for student voice initiatives.
• Working with the school site Principal, other school staff, students, and/or the Office of Accountability to identify school-wide challenges using school data, eliciting relevant student insights using student voice activities and engagement strategies, and involving students in school improvement efforts using the Plan, Do, Study, Act cycle throughout the year.
• Collaborate with District departments, secure resources, and plan for opportunities for students to demonstrate and distribute the results of their student voice projects with school and district audiences.
• Collecting data, in partnership with the Office of Accountability staff, to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of student voice activities.
• Demonstrating expertise in the field of student voice, modeling effective student voice strategies within the school setting, and partnering with school site Principal, students, and/or Office of Accountability to provide on-site training, coaching and supports to school site staff.

This position requires building relationships with WCSD departments including but not limited to Counseling, Social Emotional Learning, Student Voice, Equity & Diversity, MTSS, Curriculum and Instruction, English Language Development, etc.).

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Education/Experience: Any combination of education and experience that could likely provide the required knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:

OR

OR

Knowledge of: School and district organizational structure and functioning, including an understanding of curriculum, standards, programs, and initiatives that are implemented across the district; basic concepts of child and adolescent development including relationship-building and engagement strategies; academic achievement gaps and barriers students face; Social and Emotional Learning competencies, including best practices for engaging vulnerable populations of students; an ability to organize meetings, projects or workshops based on the needs of students and/or school staff.

Skilled at: Speaking, active listing and explicitly appreciating diverse opinions and viewpoints; recognizing and appreciating cultural differences, and maintaining respect for different cultural backgrounds; maintaining confidentiality of information; interpreting and explaining district policies and procedures as they relate to the position; preparing and giving accurate written and/or oral reports, and reviewing and interpreting the reports of others; maintaining constructive relationships with those contacted at work.

Licenses/Certificates: None Required.

Special Considerations: Must be willing and able to work a varied schedule as some meetings/workshops with students might be held outside of regular school hours.

THIS JOB SPECIFICATION SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO IMPLY THAT THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE THE EXCLUSIVE STANDARDS OF THE POSITION. INCUMBENTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW ANY OTHER INSTRUCTIONS, AND TO PERFORM ANY OTHER RELATED DUTIES AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THEIR SUPERIVSOR.

The Washoe County School District is committed to providing a safe and respectful learning and working environment for all students, staff, and visitors. The District prohibits bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, and/or discrimination based on an individual's actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veterans or military status, marital status, disability or the presence of any sensory, physical or mental handicap in any of its educational programs/activities and employment, or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The District prohibits discrimination against any youth group listed in Title 36, as a patriotic society, (i.e. Boy Scouts of America) from access to public school facilities use.