Community Advocate

Join to apply for the Community Advocate role at Grand Street Settlement

Community Advocate

215 Heyward Street, Brooklyn, NY 11206

Youth and Community Development Services

Community Schools Initiative

Community School Director

$40,000 – $45,000 per year (full‑time, performance‑based and contingent on funding)

The Community Advocate works closely with families and Community School staff to support Family Engagement and attendance initiatives. The Advocate helps parents build skills, strengthen parent‑child and family relationships, and improve parent‑school communication to increase student attendance and overall family well‑being. The role initiates and maintains a sustainable, supportive relationship with high‑risk families and ensures optimal academic, social, and emotional development for parents and students.

Collaboration with the Community School Team (director, social worker, program coordinator, and tutor) is essential for providing resources that enhance the Community School. Staff members need to have a reliable computer.

• High school diploma required;
  Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Two years or more in youth development
• Family outreach and home‑visit experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent documentation skills
• Ability to motivate others toward achieving goals
• Ability to develop alliances with high‑risk and difficult‑to‑engage youth and families
• Knowledge of community resources and counseling practices with high‑risk populations
• Outstanding collaborative skills
• Bilingual Spanish/English required

• Create and maintain thorough written records of assessments, attendance outreach efforts, and all required documentation
• Work collaboratively with community resources to establish timely and effective referral processes
• Maintain ongoing open communication with school principal, parents, and school‑based staff
• Support maintenance and distribution of pantry food, hygiene, and cleaning supplies
• Work with school PTA and Parent Coordinator to increase parent involvement through monthly initiatives
• Engage families and develop relationships between school and families of at‑risk and chronically absent students
• Partner with families to create family goal plans that increase student attendance and enhance parent and child well‑being
• Maintain written records of home visits, family goals, and all required documentation
• Implement the “Success Mentors” program to improve attendance initiatives
• Assign “Success Mentors” to chronically absent students and facilitate meaningful discussions
• Implement attendance incentive programs, hold award ceremonies for improved attendance, create an attendance‑going culture, and manage incentive programs (e.g., trips, gifts, shirts)
• Support benefits enrollment and referrals, including SNAP screenings and assistance
• Collaborate with school staff, parents, and students to design a comprehensive parent workshop calendar
• Refer participants to social worker for counseling to support crisis intervention and safety planning
• Advocate for program needs via community coalition building and by administering feedback surveys and program assessments
• Seek partnership opportunities and bring in at least three new partners a year to leverage resources for programs
• Work closely with social worker, tutor, and case manager to support targeted student needs
• Attend all required department/agency meetings and/or trainings
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Community School Director and/or Community School Social Worker

Please submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position. If selected, provide three professional references (at least one from a former supervisor). Click the link below to apply online through our career center. No phone calls, please. Job offers will only be made after required clearances are complete.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER (EOE)

Entry level

Full‑time

Other

Non‑profit Organizations