About Phipps Neighborhoods: 

Phipps Neighborhoods helps children, youth, and families in low-income communities rise above poverty. We work in South Bronx neighborhoods where we can address the greatest barriers to lasting success through education and career programs, and access to community resources.

We are dedicated to our neighborhoods for the long term, supporting individuals and families as they establish self-sufficiency. Our services create opportunities for people to thrive in every aspect of their lives.

Position Summary: 

Student Advocate will work closely with either elementary, middle and/or high school students, helping them to achieve their best in both academic and non-academic settings. He/she develops, implements, and participates in a range of activities all geared towards assisting students with positive enrichment that transcends their school career. Student Advocates will help students develop intrinsic and individualized strategies for meeting their goals and improving their academic and social skills. The primary goal of a Student Advocate is to provide support and structures to students to help them graduate, increase their daily attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism. The Student Advocate will meet this goal by facilitating small group interventions and helping identify specific student needs.

Phipps Neighborhoods seeks full-time Student Advocates to fill positions at varying worksites in the Bronx. Work schedule is Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week and hours are based on worksite needs.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Facilitate success mentoring and enrichment activities designed to improve attendance and academic performance of students 
• Provide supervision and ensure the safety of students at all times including scheduled events either in or out of the school building. 

• Engage students in a wide range of project-based learning activities
• Accurately monitor student attendance during day school and after school activities 
• Develop lesson plans and curriculum in accordance with program schedule, programmatic themes, objectives and outcomes 

• Conduct attendance interventions with students and/or parents. 
• Document student progress as it relates to student achievement, successes, and attendance. 
• Plan and facilitate group workshops that promote student success and identify areas of concern.
• Support school initiatives, such as lunch groups, push-ins/classroom supports, and advisories. 
• Model appropriate practices and behaviors at all times. 
• Uphold Phipps Neighborhoods policies and procedures
• Ensure proper use of supplies and materials 
• Maintain ongoing open communication with parents, students and school personnel. 
•  Communicate with all staff, parents, students and community members respectfully and politely thus ensuring the reputation and integrity of Phipps Neighborhoods Inc. 

• Attend staff meetings, professional development workshops and program events. 
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Community School Director. 
• Establish a comfortable environment for students while adhering to and continuing the implementation of clear, consistent age-appropriate expectations and rules. 

• Maintain a professional working relationship with students, parents and school personnel. 

 Qualifications: 

• The candidate must have at least a High School Diploma or HSE, minimum of 12 college credits preferred
•  Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills as well as strong classroom management skills

• Excellent oral and written communication skills and computer literacy
• Bilingual (Spanish speaking) preferred 
• Enthusiasm, creativity and initiative 
• A sense of humor and a sense of urgency 
• Candidate should be able to multitask and take direction well
• Able to deal with crisis in an appropriate manner

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee occasionally is required to bend, stoop, and kneel. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Phipps Houses and Affiliates is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, citizenship or national origin, ancestry, alienage, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.