Senior Community Program Specialist

The University of Maryland School of Social Work has openings for Senior Community Program Specialists to work as a part of the Positive Schools Center, an initiative of The Center for Restorative Change. The Senior Community Program Specialist (Community School Coordinator) partners with a Baltimore City Public School to plan, organize, and coordinate resources, networks and partnerships for groups, individuals, families, and school communities to improve the well-being of Baltimore’s residents.  Specifically, the Senior Community Program Specialist (Community School Coordinator) is responsible for leading a Community School model, uniquely designed to meet the interests and strengths of students and families. The result is the creation of a more positive and engaged school community. The position will be located full-time at one Baltimore City Elementary/ Middle/ or High School and is expected to align all programs, services, and opportunities collaboratively with Baltimore City Public School administration and the Positive Schools Center.

The Positive Schools Center (PSC) provides coaching and staff development, community school programming and policy recommendations for Maryland schools. Through building relationships with school teams, the PSC collaborates with schools to shift perspective and transform the places where people teach, learn, and live. The foundation of the PSC’s work is built on a strong racial justice understanding and equity focus. The PSC approaches school change through embedding restorative approaches, trauma-responsive strategies, social-emotional learning, and community voice into schools’ routines, policies, and culture.

UMB offers a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development. This position participates in a retirement program that must be selected and is effective on your date of hire. Exempt regular staff receive a generous leave package that includes over 4 weeks of vacation accrued each year, paid holidays, unlimited accrual of sick time, and comprehensive health insurance; professional learning and development programs; tuition remission for employees and their dependents at any University System of Maryland school; and flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job).

Essential Functions:

• Supervise and provide task supervision to graduate social work students in conducting social work assessments that examine risks and strengths of children and their families who attend elementary, middle, and high schools.  Support graduate students in developing service plans by identifying strength-based approaches to supporting children and families in an educational setting, as well as best practices in navigating the educational system.
• Implement a menu of needs-driven, high-quality partnership programs in adherence with the community school model, including, but not limited to, expanded learning and enrichment opportunities, mental/health services, parent/family engagement, adult education, and interventions targeted to chronically absent students.
• Advise principal on how to integrate partners and community members into school governance structures (school leadership, attendance teams, etc.), monitors progress to ensure the highest quality programming for all participants.
• Provide culturally responsive training, guidance, and support to teachers, school administrators, staff, and other community partners regarding restorative practices and addressing the symptoms of poverty and systemic oppression, to include mental health, trauma, community violence, racialized history of Baltimore City, unemployment, substance use.
• Convene and staff the site-based Community School Leadership Team, a coordinating body that is co-led by the principal and may comprise administrators, teachers, support services staff, partners, parents, and others to identify needs, set priorities, and coordinate the strategies.
• Develop and facilitate workshops, meetings, or community events that align with strategic goals for a community school strategy; coordinate logistics, scheduling, and participant communications including social media. Work closely with partners to develop and provide appropriate training workshops and recognition events for participants. 
• Oversee daily operations of a community school strategy, organize program activities, and set priorities.
• Maintain and facilitate program data in compliance with programmatic reports required by funding agencies/sponsors. Collect, complete, and submit program information in required formats for various reporting purposes, including marketing and communications. Assist in evaluating program effectiveness to develop improved methods and recommend appropriate action.
• Participate in network meetings and trainings as related to the Community School strategy city-wide, as well as initiatives led by Positive Schools Center.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Education:  Master’s Degree is required. MSW is preferred.
Experience:  One (1) year in social service program coordination, development, oversight or administration, preferably in an urban school setting.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.  Demonstrates a commitment to justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.  Incorporates anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices and principles to accomplish their work.
• Knowledge of best practices in the field as well as relevant federal, state, and local rules, regulations, and programs/policies related to public schools and out of school time programming.
• Ability to gather relevant data to synthesize and summarize information in making judgments regarding children and their families.
• Ability to use measurable and verifiable information for resolving problems and facilitating decision-making processes.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.  Ability to manage situations with tact, diplomacy, understanding, and fairness. 
• Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to work as part of a team, as well as with individuals and/or families from diverse ethnic, racial, and social-economic backgrounds.
• Understands the specific experiences of historically marginalized racial groups in the U.S., particularly Black, Indigenous, and Latinx groups.

The Hiring Range is in the mid $60,000s to mid $70,000s, commensurate with education and experience.

UMB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law or policy. For assistance related to employment, please contact the Staffing department at [email protected]. 

If you anticipate needing a reasonable accommodation for a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), during any part of the employment process, please submit a UMB Job Applicant Accommodation Request . You may also contact [email protected]. Please note that only inquiries concerning an ADA request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.