Community School Coordinator

REPORTS TO: Federal Programs Director

JOB SUMMARY: The Community School Coordinator is a key leadership role that bridges education and community. Working closely with the school principal, the coordinator is responsible for aligning school, family, and community resources to support student success and strengthen the school's capacity to serve all learners.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leads Needs & Assets Assessments: Oversees a structured process to identify student, family, and community needs and assets to inform planning and partnerships.
• Recruits & Manages Community Partners: Identifies, recruits, and coordinates external organizations that provides essential services and supports for students and families.
• Integrates Student & Family Support: Ensures services and supports are aligned with the school’s instructional goals and embedded in the daily life of the school.
• Facilitates Site-Based Planning Teams: Convenes and guides collaborative planning teams of educators, families, and community partners to steer and oversee the work of the community school.
• Serves on School Leadership Teams: Brings a community perspective to the school’s leadership team, contributing to the development and monitoring of the Comprehensive Education Plan.
• Leads or Joins Student Support Teams: Helps assess and address individual student needs, coordinating wraparound services as necessary.
• Builds Relationships & Partnerships: Serves as a connector among students, educators, families, and community residents, fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual accountability.
• Coordinates Communication & Operations: Acts as a strategic liaison, akin to a chief of staff or assistant principal, ensuring smooth coordination among all stakeholders and initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Deep commitment to educational equity and the community school strategy
• Ability to lead collaborative planning and problem-solving processes
• Experience working in or with public schools, youth development, social services, or community-based organizations
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Resourcefulness and the ability to navigate complex systems with diplomacy and clarity

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

• Prior work in schools or community-based initiatives
• Experience managing cross-sector partnerships
• Familiarity with Comprehensive Education Planning and multi-tiered systems of support

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT:

Coordinators are supported by their school district or sponsoring lead agencies and are expected to attend monthly training sessions for professional development as well as seeking out reading materials and other professional development sessions that relate to community schools and what it means to be a community school coordinator. This role is part of a growing, national strategy to align education with community assets and advance educational opportunities for all students.

The Community School Coordinator is not just a manager—they are a builder of trust, a driver of systems, and a champion for students and families. Their leadership is essential to creating responsive, effective schools rooted in the power of community.