Director of Community Schools

The mission of Equitas Academy Charter Schools is to provide a structured, achievement-based community that prepares students to graduate from four-year colleges and universities. We currently serve over 2,000 students and operate six schools, four elementary schools and two middle schools in the Pico-Union neighborhood of Los Angeles.

The Director of Community Schools is a dedicated staff member responsible for bringing together integrated resources to create learning environments that help all students succeed. The Director will support a ‘whole-child’ approach, in alignment with the California Community Schools Model, with an integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development, and community engagement. The Director of Community schools will partner with staff, families, and community-based organizations to create the conditions students need to thrive. Additionally, the Director of Community Schools is responsible for implementing systems, procedures, and policies; monitoring and implementing projects and supporting monitoring of budgets.

The Director of Community Schools reports to the Managing Director of Student Services.

Mission/Vision:

• Connects the California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) to Equitas’ vision, mission and strategic plans
• Collaborates on the broader CCSPP priorities including academic, DEIA, and family engagement with the support of colleagues
  
  
  
  
  

Capacity Building:

• Strategically support schools to implement Community Schools
• Supports Counseling team to implement tiered SEL Supports through individual and group meetings
• Supports Community School Coordinators through individual and group meetings
• Manages Psychological Social Workers (If hired)
• Facilitates Network and school-based professional development
  
  
  
  
  

Data:

• Implements a Network wide needs assessment and analyzes data to support schools with prioritizing resources and goal setting on an ongoing basis
• Conducts needs assessments by working with Network and school administrators, counselors, teachers, partner agencies, parents, and students to identify barriers to learning, available resources, and gaps in services
• Progress monitors all aspects of the program and assesses for improvement and shared accountability between partnerships
  
  
  
  
  

SEL/Direct Supports:

• In line with data and needs analysis, develops aligned SEL Resources and a clear implementation strategy
• Supports community schools coordinators to participate in the SART process and provided resources and a clear approach to address absenteeism
• Creates protocols and training for school Coordination of Services teams (COST)
• Creates universal referral system and provides training for implementation at sites
• Codifies processes and provides training for the 504 Program for the network
• Codifies processes and provides training for the Student Success Teams for the network
  
  
  
  
  

Partnerships:

• Develops and maintains connections with community organizations
• Identifies, engages, and recruits partners to offer programs and services for students and families based on the community’s needs assessment
• Develops the continuum of services for the students, families and community members within the school neighborhood
• Assists directly with information sharing and referral services to maintain an effective referral process to community resources
• Creates, strengthens and maintains the bridge between the school and the community by creating opportunities for shared leadership and trust
• Facilitates and provides leadership through collaboration in order to resolve related issues to service delivery, access and coordination
  
  
  
  
  

Shared Leadership:

• Supports facilitation of a Network Community Schools Advisory Committee and supports community schools coordinators to implement school based advisory committees
• Collaborates with Network staff to support alignment of between schools and Network
• Collaborates closely with the Director of Family, Alumni and Community Engagement and the Student Services team
• Develops processes and resources to support the formation and success of students councils
  
  
  
  
  

Community Schools Grant Management:

• Supports schools and the network to manage the Community Schools Budget
• Supports with CDE compliance tasks
  
  
  
  
  

Qualifications And Experience

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in education, social work, health or related field
• Master’s degree preferred
• Spanish speaking highly preferred
• School counseling experience highly preferred
• Experience coordinating programs, grants, conducting needs/asset assessments is preferred
• Experience collecting, analyzing, and presenting information and data to diverse audiences is preferred
• Experience building, facilitating, and leading high functioning adult teams is preferred
• Experience coordinating comprehensive program activities in a school/academic setting is preferred
• Knowledge and experience working in the school or surrounding community preferred
• Experience working with students/families similar to the demographics served by the school community preferred, with a minimum of three years preferred
• Current CPR and 1st Aid Certificate or within 3 months of employment
• Criminal clearance, including fingerprints and TB Test required prior to employment
  
  
  
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Demonstrated ability in working with youth, parents, and community leaders
• Strong organization skills and calendaring skills
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written
• Ability to gather quantitative and observational data and monitor program trends
  
  
  
  
  

Commitment to Diversity

Equitas Academy is actively seeking to build a diverse and experienced team of educators. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin. We are an equal opportunity employer.

Salary

Competitive salary, commensurate with experience. Salary range starts at $92,000

Work Location

This position requires working from Equitas’ Network office or School site locations and does not have a work from home component

Position Contingencies

This position is funded through a Community Schools Grant funded through June 2027