Job Title: School Advocate

 

TO APPLY:

Please prepare a resume and cover letter outlining your interest, readiness, and qualifications for the position. Position open until filled, for priority consideration please apply before July 17. Unfortunately, incomplete applications will not be considered. 

This position works in partnership with the Outreach and Advocacy Department and community stakeholders to coordinate and grow efforts of the Pikes Peak Safe @ Schools Coalition (PPSASC), intentionally seeks youth and young adult participation in PPSASC, individually supports LGBTQIA2+ youth and their families, educators, and other adults in schools, and connects educators, public health officials, parents and adults to support LGBTQIA2+ youth.

 

Administrative Details

• Reports to: Communications & Advocacy Director 
• Employment Type: Full-Time Exempt  
• Hours: 9:00-5:30 Mon-Fri (flexible, some evenings and weekends required)  
• Job code:  4.0 Sales Workers
• Grade:  25
• Salary: $45,000 - $55,000
• Based in Colorado Springs, Colorado 

 

Additional Duties as assigned.

 

Safe @ Schools Coalition and Youth Advocacy                                                                          

• Plans and coordinates Coalition meetings, including drafting agendas, taking notes, and maintaining contact list;
• Utilizes Positive Youth Development (PYD) strategies to recruit, engage and retain youth involved in Coalition programs;
• Follows up on work tasks assigned to Coalition members, reports out goal progress, and ensures participation among members;
• Recruits new members to Coalition and meets with community leaders to create support around anti-violence policies that support and impact LGBTQIA2+ youth;
• Engages in outreach on behalf of IOYS/PPSASC with GSAs or other student groups;
• Maintains awareness of issues and current events in local schools/districts, and shares relevant news with department, Policy Advocacy Committee, PPSASC, and/or community partners, as needed;
• Provides expertise in violence prevention education, risk and protective factors, skill-based learning, PYD, and effective program evaluation;
• Coordinates with the Coalition, youth, and department to produce related materials to amplify the work of the Coalition digitally, online, and in print;
• Provides agency leadership around youth issues and collaborates with other IOYS programs.

 

School and Community Support                                                                                                        

• Supports teachers, administrators, students, and parents with individual issues and challenges in schools;
• Supports schools/districts and educates administrations on larger issues or challenges (including policy revision/consultation);
• Creates educational tools about laws, best practices, and research for students and youth-serving adults;
• Compiles, enters, analyzes, and reports on data collected from Hot Spot Mapping projects;
• As needed or requested by Policy Advocacy Committee: Attends community meetings concerning important school initiatives including town halls, focus groups, youth events, and school board meetings, and provides voice and support for issues impacting LGBTQIA2+ youth;
• Provides curriculum/training, resources, and customized training to school administrators, teachers, students and parents, and supports department in delivering trainings;
• Represents IOYS at certain local, regional, and state meetings;

• Builds relationships with youth-serving organizations in the community;
• Participates in community coalitions/workgroups whose work impacts LGBTQIA2+ youth;

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• B.A. degree in education or human services fields, or equivalent experience;
• 2 years of experience developing and/or executing primary/secondary prevention programs;
• Knowledge/experience in community organizing, classroom teaching, group facilitation, and working with youth

 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proficient knowledge of the Microsoft suite, as well as a capacity to quickly learn new software.
• Ability to handle and maintain confidential data
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong organizational, detail, and interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional at maintaining detail and following routine filing practices
• Creative and adept at planning, prioritizing, organizing and following through; able to balance multiple competing priorities.
• Ability to work as a member of a team, but also be a self-starter; able to work under pressure and complete multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Demonstrates flexibility to actively support change in order to meet strategic goals and objectives.
• High sense of responsibility and commitment to the mission and policies/procedures of IOYS.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license with personal motor vehicle insurance.

 

Preferred

• Competency in anti-racism and anti-oppression
• Understanding of educational systems, institutions, and laws
• Experience building systems and structures for growth-stage organizations
• Experience with the Tava Kahv (Pikes Peak) region; familiarity with partner organizations and established relationships within the nonprofit and human/social services community
• Previous experience working with high-risk youth and vulnerable communities, especially LGBTQIA2+ youth and families

 

Typical Work Environment

Office setting with occasional work outside the community center, both at external venues and outdoors with some work at a computer station and some work that requires movement around the community center. Position requires the ability to occasionally stand for extended periods of time. Position requires the ability to occasionally lift up to 30 pounds. Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices or meeting rooms, e.g. use of safe work place practices with office equipment, and/or avoidance of trips and falls and observance of safety.

Inside Out Youth Services (IOYS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, established in 1990 to build acces, equity, and power with LGBTQIA2+ youth of the Pikes Peak region. We are the primary LGBTQIA2+ nonprofit community serving LGBTQIA2+ youth (ages 13-24) in El Paso County. We provide a safe space for gender and sexuality diverse youth and young adults to grow their identities, learn leadership skills and develop the tools needed to both thrive personally and to act as agents of change in their communities. We also provide outreach education throughout the region to create a supportive climate for LGBTQIA2+ youth. IOYS accomplishes these goals through our weekly programming, targeted leadership development opportunities, community partnerships, and through educational outreach to local school systems, healthcare agencies, and other groups providing education and care to LGBTQ+ youth and young adults.

Our Team and What We Value

At IOYS, all staff members are expected to exemplify established team values that include but are not limited to collegiality, respect, accountability, collaboration, and adaptability. In doing so, we model the behaviors and attitudes we ask of our young people, essential to creating a welcoming, radically inclusive, safe and brave space where all people can learn and grow. We are representatives of Inside Out in all we do and say—wherever we are—and it is therefore of utmost importance that all team members exhibit maturity and good judgement through their words and actions. A community center environment is fast paced where priorities and needs rapidly shift and evolve based on the needs of the agency and the young people we serve. Therefore, all staff are expected to own their mindset, adapt to change swiftly, and contribute to a positive and powerful team environment.