Community School Director/Urban Scholars

Position Title 

Community School Director  

Department  

Community Schools 

Site/Location 

Urban Scholars Community School/ Bronx 10456 

Job Classification (HR Use Only) 

Non-Exempt 

Full Time  

Salary Range 

$65,000 

Reports To 

Department Director  

MISSION STATEMENT 

East Side House cares for the individuals, families, and communities we serve by expanding opportunities to live more fulfilling lives through education, career, and supportive services. 

JOB DESCRIPTION 

Summary/ Objective 

East Side House, founded in 1891, is a 501(c) (3) organization that has served the South Bronx since 1963. The organization is dedicated to the community and focused on providing resources and opportunities. East Side House has identified that education is the foundation for economic improvement. Its youth education and technology programs teach skills to allow its students and clients to become more self-sufficient and independent. As a community resource, the organization also provides services to families and a growing senior population. In 2020 the organization began food distribution as an additional way to provide economic support to the community we serve. 

Summary/ Objective 
Community Schools are a strategy to organize resources and share leadership to integrate social services into the fabric of the schools. Community Schools are equipped to better serve the needs of families so that students come to school ready and able to learn. 

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, the school climate is joyful and positive, and expanded learning opportunities are standard. 

An integral part of this approach is the integration and alignment of school- and community-based services throughout an expanded learning day (such as health, mental health, counseling and academic enrichment). Critical to ensuring this alignment and coordination is a full-time staff person in the school building – the Community School Director (CSD). The CSD should be a leader in the building, assuming a role similar to that of an additional assistant principal. 

The Community School Director is hired by East Side House Settlement, in consultation with the principal and the School Leadership Team (SLT). The following are conducted in collaboration with the principal and SLT. 

Essential Functions 

Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Serve as an advisor and think partner to the principal, providing leadership for coordinating the work of different partners within the school, and aligning the work of partners with the school faculty. 

• Work with school leadership to maintain a focus on results and track progress 

• Organize and oversee assets and needs assessments and seek input from teachers, school staff, parents and students to determine ongoing needs of students and families. 

• Serve as a point person for agencies and programs interested in partnering with the school and help to broker new partnerships that are aligned with school goals and needs. 

• Develop strong relationships with teachers, parents and students. 

• Work with the Parent Coordinator to ensure that families have meaningful opportunities to participate in the school. 

• Identify high need students, coordinate with teachers to target interventions, and track and monitor impact of interventions. 

• Build relationships and mechanisms to effectively link the school day to expanded learning opportunities. 

• Assist with data collection, research and prepare relevant data to bring to meetings. 

• Facilitates alliances and partnerships with City agencies and non-profit partners to establish a continuum of services for students. 

• Provide training and technical assistance to ensure cultural and linguistic appropriateness of services, programs and communication efforts. 

• Assist school and partner agencies with resource management and development, including fund development and grant maintenance. 

• Coordinate the allocation of space for student and family support services, and for special events. 

• Meet monthly with the Department Director to receive and provide updates on programming and administrative tasks. 

• Participate in civic and community building efforts and activities as assigned via East Side House Community Development. 

• Maintain flexible hours and workdays. 

• Attend monthly School/ Community based meetings, administrative meetings, program trainings, staff development, and participate in and/or lead professional development trainings 

• Implement, oversee and coordinate Peer Group Connection mediation program – including trainings, overnight retreat and weekly Advisory courses 

• Coordinate Extended Learning Time and after-school initiatives for the entire school 

• Oversee Social Work intern and social work referrals to the school based mental health clinic 

Qualifications 

Education/ Experience: 

• Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred. 

• Bi-lingual skills may be needed depending on the needs of school. 

• 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 (Middle and/or High School), with knowledge about tenants of community organizing, student support services, and youth development theories. 

• Ability to work collaboratively, with strong relationship building skills. 

• DOE fingerprinting and background clearances. 

• Some nights and weekends. 

 
Competencies: 

1. Teamwork Orientation 

1. Problem Solving/Analysis 

1. Communication Proficiency 

1. Customer/Client Focus 

1. Time Management/Ability to meet deadlines/Arrive to work on time 

1. Public/Community Relations 

1. Project Management 

Expected Work Schedule 

This is a full-time position scheduled to work 35 hours per week. Generally, work hours are scheduled Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm/9am-5pm, occasional Saturday's and Holidays are required. Workdays/hours are subject to change based on ESH’s needs. 

Supervisory Responsibility 

The position will supervise assigned personnel, including front-line staff and/or support staff. 

Work Environment 

The position is in a school-based environment. The dress code is business casual. This job operates in a professional school environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. 

Travel 

Minimal travel is expected for this position. Travel throughout the NYC boroughs is expected for this position (on a need basis).   

 
Physical Demands 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. This is generally a sedentary role: however, some filing and site visits are required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary. Reasonable accommodations will be considered. 

To Apply 

To be considered for a position with East Side House, visit our website: https://www.eastsidehouse.org/careers/ 

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer 

AAP/EEO Statement 

ESH encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.