Safe and Healthy Schools Manager

Overview

Equality Florida is the state s largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida’s LGBTQ community. We advocate through lobbying, grassroots organizing, education, and coalition building to ensure no one suffers harassment or discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. Since 1997 we have grown to include more than 400,000 supporters, more than 15,000 volunteers, and staff in major Florida cities.

Safe And Healthy Schools Framework And Position Summary

The Equality Florida Safe and Healthy Schools Program has been implementing systemic change in Florida school districts for nearly a decade. Since 2015, the department has driven districts toward taking ownership of LGBTQ students  needs and resilience. The main goal is to counter bullying, harassment, social isolation, and bigotry that increase risk factors for LGBTQ youth. The department collaborates with districts to foster safe, fair, and affirming schools, and to support LGBTQ students and their families across Florida.

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Safe and Healthy Schools Director, the Safe and Healthy Schools Manager will deepen and operationalize LGBTQ policies, programs, procedures, and practices across Florida to end LGBTQ bias in schools. The program aims to effect large-scale, systemic change across school districts.

Salary and Location

• The position is full-time, and applicants must live in Florida or be willing to relocate. Preference is given to applicants based in Central Florida (Orange, Osceola, or Seminole counties). The role requires significant travel (about 7–10 days a month).
• The salary ranges from $62,000–$68,000, with exact salary based on experience. Benefits include full medical and dental coverage, generous paid time off, and retirement benefits. The new Safe and Healthy Schools Regional Manager is expected to start no later than March 27, 2026.

Responsibilities And Key Outcomes

School District Support and Best Practices Implementation

• Collaborate regularly with senior-level school district leadership and local partners in assigned districts. Manage goals, plans, and programming to create safe and affirming school environments.
• Ensure cross-departmental coordination within districts to promote youth well-being through intersectionality, providing a safety net for students facing multiple forms of oppression including anti-LGBTQ bias and racism.
• Develop and implement LGBTQ cultural competency training for staff and support personnel in assigned districts, tailoring training to the audience and district needs; emphasize intersectional identities, particularly transgender and nonbinary youth.
• Support Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) clubs to stay active and resourced in assigned districts.
• Work with districts that have or may create external LGBTQ stakeholder coalitions.
• Assist families by helping them navigate school-based issues as they arise.

Professional Learning and Events

• Host local convenings to understand and strategize around issues faced by education leaders.
• Develop and implement ongoing webinars and virtual professional development for school-based education and mental health staff.

Statewide Consultation and Advocacy

• Provide assistance to ensure program success across Florida through strategic planning and conflict navigation.
• Lead a coalition of stakeholders to advocate for students  and families  rights at school board meetings or other decision-maker gatherings.
• Provide professional development or other tasks as needed for the department.

Who You Are & Keys To Success

• Strong logistical and planning skills; experience in supporting or co-hosting events of various scale with excellent written and verbal communication, and strong problem-solving ability.
• Commitment to equity principles; able to discuss identities such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, class, and ability in plain terms and share knowledge via professional development.
• Entrepreneurial and resourceful; proactively seeks solutions, adapts to changing priorities, and navigates senior-level stakeholders with diplomacy.
• Attentive, empathetic leadership; able to engage with diverse communities, listen to needs, respond promptly, and maintain a strong work ethic.

What Else You Should Know/

How To Apply

Equality Florida is an equal opportunity employer and values staff from communities most impacted by our work. We strongly encourage people of color, transgender/nonbinary people, and bilingual individuals to apply. To apply, complete this application. Please address cover letters to Geanny Ruiz, Safe Schools Director, Equality Florida. The Final date to receive applications on Sunday, February 22nd. We may not be able to respond to every applicant, but we will contact qualified candidates.

If there is not a match, we will retain materials for future reference. Thank you.