Position Announcement: Student & Family Engagement Coordinator-Middle States Region, Jersey City About CSS Center for Supportive Schools (CSS) is an anti-racist, fast-paced, collegial, and team-oriented organization wholly committed to helping schools become places where students want to be. Our work directly addresses student disengagement, a root cause of diminished academic performance, students dropping out of school, and other high-risk student behaviors. We partner with schools in three areas: developing all students into leaders; empowering teachers to collaborate with each other and with students; and engaging entire school communities to improve how learning happens. CSS is driven by the vision that one day, all students will thrive in schools that graduate them prepared for the rigors of college and lives filled with meaningful work, active citizenship, and personal fulfillment. We are committed to antiracism. Our vision for students will not be realized absent the dismantling of systemic racism that permeates schools and society. Schools are not safe, supportive, engaging, and inspiring unless they address all areas of marginalization and eradicate all the many interconnected forms of oppression. CSS's focus on antiracism results from the outsized role that racism has played in shaping the United States and its institutions, from the fact that racism intersects with all other forms of oppression and given that which we learn and develop-tools, frameworks, resources-in dismantling racism can be leveraged to abolish all other forms of oppression. Founded in 1979, we are a national organization currently impacting 65,000 students annually and committed to supporting every K-12 school in the country. Most of our partners are economically disadvantaged communities where the consequences of student disengagement can be most devastating. For more information, please visit
- For more information about CSS's commitment to antiracism, please visit
- About Community Schools Community Schools offer a holistic approach toward improving academic performance driven by strong, collaborative partnerships among principals, parents, teachers, and CBOs. In Community Schools, parents are real and active partners in their children's education. Each student is connected to a mentor, club, or social service. The school climate is joyful and positive. Community members spend time at the school, participating in activities ranging from athletics and yoga to financial and parenting workshops. Extended afterschool or weekend classes are commonplace. An integral part of this approach is the blending of school- and community-based services into the school day, such as health, mental health, counseling, and academic enrichment. Extended afterschool or weekend classes are commonplace. An integral part of this approach is the blending of school- and community-based services into the school day, such as health, mental health, counseling, and academic enrichment. Community Schools across New York City and Jersey City are instrumental in helping schools catch up or leap ahead, and in putting all of our students on the path to four-year colleges and long-term careers. Our delivery of the Community Schools strategy enables CSS to help students achieve success through: Meaningful family involvement in decision making around student needs Meaningful interactions with community-based services and program Maximization of academic programming, college and career preparation, and extended weekend and afterschool programming Robust data monitoring and attendance taking practices The Role As the full-time Student & Family Engagement Coordinator, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the community school's student and family engagement strategy, including building and maintaining relationships with administration, faculty, staff, and students during the traditional school day; creating, strengthening, and maintaining the bridge between the school and the community in the efforts of promoting student success; and facilitating and providing leadership for the collaborative process and development of a continuum of services for student success in academics, attendance, and social-emotional development. Initially, you will support the establishment and implementation of a community school strategy under the direction of the Community Schools Director. Over time, you may support any or all of CSS's leadership solutions that may be implemented at the school. You will ensure that the student engagement and development strategy is implemented at exceptional levels of quality with full support, buy-in, and regular communication with stakeholders across the school community. Key Job Responsibilities Establish and nurture connections with administration, faculty, staff, students, families, and community partners within the school setting to enhance student achievement. Conduct a comprehensive needs and strengths evaluation process, which involves analyzing school and student data, organizing focus groups with various stakeholders, and assessing school climate and culture through surveys. Schedule meetings with designated students during school hours to provide support for their attendance and academic progress. Develop and execute continuous strategies to gather input from teachers, school staff, Community School Team members, families, and students to identify ongoing needs for enhancing student success. Coordinate, organize, and lead onsite technical assistance sessions with faculty and staff to strategize specific program implementations, troubleshoot implementation challenges, and ensure program longevity. Aid in establishing and managing procedures that promote referrals to school programs and services, offer prompt feedback to referrers, and notify the Attendance/Student Success Teams of potential program needs. Recognize the requirements of students with chronic absenteeism, contribute to intervention implementation, and monitor the effects of interventions weekly during Attendance/Student Success meetings. Gather and oversee program implementation data and student information for each partnership and initiative, and assist in creating user-friendly "dashboard" views for easy data analysis and engagement by the Student Success Team, Community School Team (CST), and other school stakeholders. Assigned to the Lead Community School Director Site to assist with on-site responsibilities as needed. Other responsibilities, as needed. Qualifications and Experience Education: Bachelor's degree OR a High School Diploma and at least 5 years of experience in schools Professional Experiences and Personal Qualities/Skills: You likely have demonstrated extensive knowledge of and experience working in public schools; exceptional abilities to problem solve, plan, and prioritize; and a "roll-up-your-sleeves" entrepreneurial, startup attitude. You likely have extensive knowledge of and experience working in education reform and student support services; proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment managing multiple projects; and demonstrated high level interpersonal and cross-cultural skills, including the ability to build relationships internally and externally and to manage effective teams. In addition, you have likely had the following experiences and have demonstrated the following attributes: Multilingual skills preferred but not required; specific interest in Spanish, French, Arabic, Bengali Excellent listening, writing, and speaking skills Highly effective time-management, goal-setting, problem-solving, and decision-making skills Ability to gather, analyze, synthesize, and communicate information from various sources Strong public speaking and group facilitation skills Knowledgeable in issues related to K-12 schools and adult education Knowledgeable in student support services Ability to obtain and utilize student and school data to drive decisions Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively Ability to use discretion and judgment in handling confidential and sensitive information Knowledge of and an enthusiastic commitment to the organization's mission, solutions, and offerings Ability to work effectively with school-aged youth, educators, families, and communities from a wide range of cultural, social, and economic backgrounds. Experience working in school-based settings, with knowledge about tenets of community organizing, student support services, and youth development theories Ability to work collaboratively, with strong relationship-building skills JCBOE fingerprinting and background clearances Program implementation experience preferred Knowledgeable in technology COVID-19 Vaccination & Testing CSS requires all school-facing staff members to be fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. As of the time of this position announcement posting, fully vaccinated means receiving two vaccination doses of either the Pfizer vaccine or the Moderna vaccine, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Non-school facing staff members who are not vaccinated because of a CSS-approved medical or religious accommodation must submit a copy of a COVID-19 test result 48-72 hours in advance of any CSS-related in-person interaction (this includes in-person interaction with other staff, in-person training events, office visits, business meetings, and/or school visits). Location CSS is looking to hire a Student & Family Engagement Coordinator for anticipated openings across the Jersey City Community Schools. Work Environment/Physical Requirements Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working at a computer, including participating in virtual videoconference meetings Communicating with others in writing and verbally to exchange information Ability to lift and move boxes weighing as much as 15 pounds Compensation and Benefits The anticipated starting date for this position is rolling
- The salary range for this position is $49,000 - $61,200. CSS offers the following benefits: C omprehensive and competitive benefits plan, including health, dental , vision, flexible spending accounts, health reimbursement accounts, commuter and transit accounts for employees who meet the eligibility requirements 403(b) plan with employer match Generous paid time off Paid holidays and winter break F lexible work option based on job role eligibility Employee Assistance Program Reduced schedule on Fridays during summer months Phone stipend To Apply Interested applicants are requested to apply immediately by emailing a cover letter and CV/résumé to
- Please include (1) the title of the position in the subject line of your email and (2) where you found the position posting in your cover letter. If possible, please email all documents in PDF format. Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) are strongly encouraged to apply. Jersey City Board of Education fingerprinting and background clearances will be required, as well as proof of COVID-19 vaccination from a WHO approved vaccine (two doses of Pfizer, two doses of Moderna, or one dose of Johnson & Johnson.) Center for Supportive Schools is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity, inclusion, and equity in its work and staff. CSS's Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action related policies are available upon request.