With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and opportunities in more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia is the sixth largest city in the United States and one of the largest employers in Southeastern Pennsylvania. As an employer, the City of Philadelphia operates through the guiding principles of service, integrity, respect, accountability, collaboration, diversity and inclusion. Through these principles, we strive to effectively deliver services, to resolve the challenges facing our city, and to make Philadelphia a place where all of our residents have the opportunity to reach their potential. 

AGENCY DESCRIPTION 

The Mayor’s Office of Education (MOE) provides leadership to improve education in the City of Philadelphia.  To achieve this mission, MOE creates policies and programs to expand access to quality pre-K for Philadelphia families; support students and residents through Community Schools; facilitate collaboration and partnership among many stakeholders to strengthen the local educational landscape; and advance key educational policy. MOE works with public and private partners to support local schools and make educational opportunities more accessible for all.

The Community School Coordinator (CSC) is an employee of the Mayor’s Office of Education (MOE) who works closely with the Community Schools Manager to implement, integrate, align and coordinate the community school strategy at the site level. The CSC, while employed by MOE, is also accountable to the school principal and is therefore expected to plan and align all programs, services and opportunities collaboratively.

This position is school-based located at Alexander K. McClure Elementary School, 600 W Hunting Park Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19140

McClure’s mission is to create an educational and nurturing environment that fosters academic and social achievement, collaborative learners, and future leaders. The McClure family embraces diversities and unique learning styles that enable children to become lifelong learners and productive members of society through the use of critical thinking, problem solving, and real-life application.

Core Values

1.      Core Value: Growth 

We pursue new and greater achievements, always, and eradicate beliefs in the limitations of children, adults, and all people.

2.      Core Value: High Expectations 

We always raise the bar for ourselves, our team, and most importantly our students.

3.      Core Value: Collaboration 

We recognize that success is built on relationships, the foundation of which is trust, respect, and commitment.  We bring professionalism, genuine love, and accountable love to all aspects of our work and always assume the best of our colleagues, families, and students.

4.      Core Value: Positivity

We choose to be positive; positivity is contagious and boosts the happiness, productivity, and creativity of those around us.

5.       Core Value:  Lifelong Learning 

We can accomplish more than we thought we could.  We engage in a coaching model, allowing ourselves to be vulnerable, and open to hearing and acting upon glows and grows.

To learn more about McClure click here.

General Duties & Responsibilities

• Works with school staff, students, parents, and community stakeholders such as local businesses, nonprofit partners, and public agencies to build knowledge about, connections with, and support for community school model.
• Works closely with Community Schools Manager to perform school community asset mapping, find service providers, and troubleshoot challenges.
• Engages families and school staff to better understand student needs and reporting process.
• Leads asset mapping process and conducts ongoing assessment, including resource inventory and gap analysis.
• Assists with needs assessment process by collecting data for community asset map.
• Develops and manages partnerships with local service providers.
• Serves as an integral part of school-based leadership to support connecting students with appropriate service providers.
• Tracks services and submits weekly plans and reports to be shared with School, Community, and City leaders for feedback and support.
• Meets with Community Schools Manager on a weekly or bi-weekly basis to review weekly reports and create support systems to facilitate the delivery of quality services.
• Convenes and staffs Community School Committee (or as appropriate supports the SAC), a coordinating body that is co-led by the principal and includes representatives from key stakeholder groups to provide monthly feedback and support based on student and community needs.
• Works closely with Community Schools Manager to develop and implement the shared Community School Work plan based on community needs and Community Schools logic model.
• Builds positive relationships and trust with principals, teaching staff, students, service providers, community leaders, and other resource coordinators.

Coordination and Support

• Coordinates student needs assessment and provider selection.
• Supports school administration in making data-driven program decisions.
• Creates and develops a Community School Committee (e.g. parents, teachers, students, school administrators, local business leaders, and community members, etc.) with the purpose of collaborating, assessing needs and mapping the assets of the school community, and gathering input from community leaders during decision-making process.
• Engages families and school staff to better understand student needs.
• Collects and uses needs and service provider data throughout implementation process and shares outcomes with community leaders.
• Supports school administration in making data-driven program decisions based on student data.
• Engages neighborhood associations, residents and community leaders in community school planning and implementation process.
• Facilitates regular partner meetings, including all groups and organizations who serve students and families.
• Recruits, trains, and coordinates volunteers based on Community Schools guidelines.

Training

• Participates in Community Schools and Mayor’s Office of Education staff meetings.
• Attend capacity-building activities, including initiative-wide and site-based trainings, peer network meetings and study visits.
• Participates in learning communities with other coordinators.
• Participate in ongoing professional development.

Qualifications (Education and Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• Bilingual, Spanish language preferred.
• 3 years’ experience working with children and/or adults in a nonprofit social service or community development organization.
• Deep knowledge, understanding, and interest in school and community.
• Ability to keep accurate records and prepare reports.
• Knowledge of the public education system in Pennsylvania as well as the operation of community-based organizations and institutions of higher education is an asset.
• Must be comfortable with the use of data to drive decisions.
• Align with McClure’s core values (See above).

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Leadership

• Demonstrated leadership ability
• Proven understanding and ability to foster positive organizational health.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and to maintain relationships with community-based organizations, families and children, teachers, and volunteers.

Communication and Community Engagement

• High-level written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to engage meaningfully with youth, parents, staff and the community-at-large.
• Applies effective interpersonal and problem-solving skills when responding to partners.

Management

• Strong program management skills and the ability to prioritize work and to successfully facilitate multiple projects.
• Ability to organize and to facilitate meetings.

Problem Solving/Data Analysis/Decision-making

• Expertise with using data in an education, community, or social services setting.
• Identifies and analyzes problems weighing the relevance and accuracy of available information.
• Generates and evaluates alternative solutions and makes effective and timely decisions.
• Ability to stay calm under pressure.

Other

• Knows personal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and limits.
• Reflective and seeks feedback.
• Exceptional cultural competency and proficiency.

Salary: $55,000/yr 

What We Offer:

• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer
• 25% tuition discount program for City employees (and sometimes spouses and dependents as well) in partnership with area colleges and universities
• Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
• A wellness program that offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options

Successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to pchr@ phila.gov. For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx