Posting Timeline
On August 19th, 2021, Gov. Kate Brown announced that all Oregon K-12 educators, staff and volunteers will be required to be fully vaccinated by October 18th, 2021 or six weeks after full federal approval, whichever is later. Exceptions to this requirement are limited to Medical or Religious exceptions.
This job is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as received. Portland Public Schools reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any point during the posting period.
Position Details
Portland Public Schools is seeking limited term part-time employees to work as Parent Partners in schools for the 2021-2022 school year. Parent Partners will be placed at three high schools supported by GEAR UP -- McDaniel, Roosevelt, and Jefferson -- with the potential to expand to other high schools over the course of the school year. The intent of this position is two fold: (1) tap into the community expertise and wisdom of the parent community to support schools during the current challenges; and (2) establish long-term pathways for parent leaders to actively partner with teachers and staff to ensure a high quality educational experience for children.
Want more jobs like this?
Get Education jobs in Portland, OR delivered to your inbox every week.
Hours: This limited term part-time position will begin January 28, 2022 and extend through June 30, 2022.** During the school year, Parent Partners must be able to work 10-15 hours per week (no more than 19 hours per week) during school hours (8:00am-3:30pm, Monday-Friday). Some evening and weekend hours may be required for professional development or special classroom or community activities and events.
SUMMARY
As a key strategy in support of the Forward Together Strategic Plan to Embrace Change (Theme 4) and Strategic Outcomes 1 and 6 to build a collective sense of trust and belonging and implement a proactive, effective, and creative communication practice, Portland Public Schools (PPS) GEAR UP program is recruiting, training, and placing Parent Partners from the local community into high schools to provide nurturing and positive support for students and staff during our collective transition back to school buildings.
Parent Partners serve three essential functions in our schools: (1) they work alongside building staff to create school conditions that nurture student cultural identity, cultivate a sense of belonging, and build shared responsibility for learning between teachers, students, families, and staff; (2) they offer a community insider perspective that builds awareness and understanding of the family and youth experience in the school; and (3) they create positive connections with students and teachers to reinforce authentic relationships, engagement with learning, and support student aspiration for educational and career opportunities.
Parent Partners build a bridge between school and community with the intent to ensure that all learning environments are inclusive and empowering for every student and family member that enters the space. Parent Partners bring the wisdom of their role as parent, community member, cultural insider, and leader, and serve as co-educators, community experts, youth advocates, and activists for education while providing active, engaged support for students during high needs times.
Portland Public Schools is committed to supporting and nurturing employees in this position to higher levels of leadership. In addition to collaborating and co-learning with school staff, Parent Partners will have numerous paid opportunities for professional development including:
- Parent Partner-centered professional development training, retreats and workshops;
- Ongoing quality coaching and support from supervisor, and mentoring from our Parent Organizers.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
Under the daily guidance of their school leadership, and training and support from GEAR UP, the Office of Community Engagement and Unite Oregon, Parent Partners support the following activities:
- Partner closely with school leadership to identify specific activities that support school stability and the well-being of students and staff;
- Be a positive, welcoming presence at the start and close of the school day, helping usher incoming students into (and out of) the building and their classrooms;
- Provide interactive, engaging supervision of lunch and break activities for students, encouraging positive social interactions and supporting school behavior expectations;
- Participate on school-based teams that develop support plans for students and the school to provide a community insider (parent) perspective;
- Enrich the school environment as a role model/mentor to students by developing their academic and personal strengths through consistent feedback and encouragement;
- Support teachers in organizing and carrying out meaningful college and career exposure activities which may include field trips, discussion panels, guest speakers, etc.;
- Help outreach to parents for school activities, leadership opportunities, and engagement with GEAR UP;
- Support or co-lead an after school or lunch time club with students;
- Attend staff meetings, professional development, and other meetings as needed;
- Serve on the school climate team, advisory bodies, parent groups, and/or school site council;
- Collaborate with school staff and Unite Oregon partners on related projects as assigned.
CLASSIFICATION AND SALARY
This position is classified as a non-represented, limited-term position, FLSA non-exempt. $14/hr
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Local community expertise - familiarity with the schools and communities Portland Public Schools serve;
- Strong connections to the local community, through family, employment, volunteer work, social and religious memberships and activities, etc.;
- Experience and/or ability to work with and appreciate individuals from diverse cultural, linguistic, gender, education, and geographic backgrounds;
- Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with staff, students, parents and other members of the school community.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Desire to strengthen relationships between families, community members and schools;
- Experience working with middle and/or high school youth, either within or outside of schools;
- Completion of leadership development course or demonstrated experience in a leadership role;
- Preference will be given to bilingual applicants;
- Preference will be given to residents of the communities we serve.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Parent Partners will be expected to engage in ongoing professional development, staff retreats and other collaborative opportunities. Winter retreat will take place on January 28, 2022.
Salary: 14/hr