Community School Director

$86,000 - $91,000 / year

Position Summary: The Community School Director is responsible for working specifically with the Principal, and other members of the School Leadership Team to ensure that the barriers to learning that may exist for each student are eliminated and/or significantly reduced. As an employee of Children’s Aid working at the MS 301/Dunbar Middle School in partnership with the Community School Director is directly responsible to the Deputy Director of the School Age Division overseeing community schools in the Bronx.

Essential Duties

• Understand and promote the organization’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values to ensure alignment with organizational policies and procedures.
• Hire and supervise all staff responsible for the delivery of out-of-school time programming and other specialty services and projects as needed.
• Collaborate with the Deputy Director and Principals to effectively execute and maintain partnerships.
• Effectively lead Attendance Improvement initiative in direct partnership with principal.
• Support school culture-building as a leadership team member and member of the school community.
• Form partnerships with agencies in the community that enrich the school environment and will provide services for children and families: mental health, after school, summer camps, arts, sports, health/dental, adult programs, mentoring, etc.
• Create, develop, and maintain relationships with community partners, key stakeholders, and other important members of the school community.
• Facilitate communication between the principal and other leaders and ensure that these relationships are positive.
• Within the context of partnership and collaboration, assure and carry out the high-quality functioning of community school programming including: (attendance improvement, resource coordination, family engagement and behavioral and family support services) coordinator.
• Develop systems to track programming progress and evaluate the effectiveness of activities, services and supports.
• Represent the school in community meetings and events including but not limited to social-emotional initiatives, homelessness, community school improvement meetings, etc.
• Use the tools and resources provided to track student progress around the school’s goals.
• Work with the Student Supports Coordinator to identify and coordinate attendance, socio-emotional and health resources, and food pantry for students and their families.
• Develop a clear and data-driven, year-long plan for the coordination and delivery of services and supports to students that is built in collaboration with the stakeholders described above.
• Foster positive and healthy relationships with each member of the school community.
• Participating in ongoing training and professional development provided by Children’s Aid.
• Maintain regular communication with students’ parents/caregivers to support the school’s parent engagement initiatives.
• Use the resources available at Children’s Aid to meet the needs of students daily.
• Develop and implement the school’s community school strategy through: Developing and managing external school partnerships in support of school goals.
• Plan and deliver special school events.
• Ability to work nights and/or weekend to support with community events.
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned by Children’s Aid Leadership.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work, education or related field preferred.
• Bachelor's degree with 10 years of experience working with young people (in-school and/or out-of-school settings) required.
• 5-7 years of supervisory experience.
  
  

Key Competencies

• Exceptional leadership skills and communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Commitment to professional development.
• A demonstrated goal-orientation and focus on outcomes and results.
• Ability and willingness to work collaboratively with colleagues.
• An understanding of youth development principles and practice.
• A history of service to under-resourced communities.
• Professionalism, sound judgment, foresight and maturity.
• Creative problem solver.
• Bilingual in Spanish/English preferred.
  
  

It is the policy of Children's Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Children's Aid will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on any basis, including race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, gender/sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Children’s Aid is committed to complying with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Children’s Aid will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or any violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in a confidential manner and will take appropriate corrective action, if and where warranted. Children’s Aid prohibits retaliation against employees who provide information about, complain about, or assist in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.

The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department's needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team. This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department's processes. The position's requirements are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on organizational needs and changes in work dynamics.