Schedule: school year
Starting: 2023-2024 school year
Type: Temporary; ESSER funding ends June 2024
Reports to: FWCS District Security Supervisor
Main Location: South Side High School; may require travel/support to other FWCS locations
The Student Advocate is responsible for the school’s overall safety and security. The Student Advocate team plays a critical role in the school’s culture and climate. A calm, structured, and positive learning environment is top priority for the Security Department. Student Advocate personnel actively support students so they can be successful in the classroom and school community. The Student Advocate will place a priority on creating a sense of well-being and physical security for students. The role of a Student Advocate is physically demanding as they are the first line of defense to defuse and de-escalate student misconduct and/or serious incidents and must respond urgently.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Primary functions may include the following duties, responsibilities, skills, abilities and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of tasks performed by all positions within this classification.
General Responsibilities
- Build positive and professional relationships with students, staff, and families.
- Establish and maintain productive and safe learning environments and communal areas (commons, cafeteria etc.) of the building.
- Work collaboratively with FWCS and district staff, well-being coordinators/ advisors, building administration, community organizations, law enforcement, Juvenile courts, and probation in resolving and responding to issues related to student progress and activities affecting FWCS.
- Lead efforts to de-escalate inappropriate student behaviors, utilize Restorative Practices/Conscious Discipline with staff, students, and families, and help students with maximizing their time on task in classrooms.
- Provide active supervision by maintaining a highly visible presence while moving within the assigned post and providing maximum coverage of student activity.
- Actively respond to incidents, fights or other issues in the school that threaten the safety of students, staff, and/or guests using skills up to and including momentary physical intervention if called for by the safety risk.
- Fulfill duties assigned related to hall sweeps, while patrolling and monitoring school property for unauthorized persons. If needed, redirect or escort from property.
- Report unusual activity or suspicions of safety issues to the Security Supervisor and/or Administration in a prompt fashion.
- Provide proper documentation to building level administrators related to incident reports and misconduct reports.
- Actively take part in professional development training to ensure ongoing growth and to advance skills.
- Serve as a primary participant in emergency response during crisis situations including but not limited to fire, tornado, and active shooter incidents.
- Using a flexible schedule, provide supervision for assigned co-curricular activities.
- Honor student voice by meeting and collaborating with student groups to gain their feedback on methods to improve school safety.
- Must wear FWCS required student advocate dress code.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge:
- Knowledge of FWCS Code of Conduct
- Knowledge FWCS technology systems (i.e., camera, Safe Visitor, CrisisGO systems)
- Knowledge of DCS mandatory reporting laws
Skills:
- Skilled at excellent relationship building
- Skilled at collaborating within and across teams
- Skilled at effective listening and communication
- Skilled at presenting information professionally, concisely, and effectively, both verbally and in writing
- Skilled at providing sound judgement
- Skilled at attention to detail at the highest level
Abilities:
- Ability to work with adolescents in supporting a safe school culture
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with businesses, organizations, students, parents, colleagues, and administrators
- Ability to solve problems
- Ability to prioritize conflicting needs while handling matters expeditiously, proactively, and following through on projects to a successful completion
- Ability to successfully complete the FWCS Security Department Training curriculum with associated certifications, within one year of hire
- Ability to work independently as well as in a team-oriented environment
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Prior safety/security related experience in schools, preferred
- Two (2) years working with children, four (4) years preferred
- Valid Indiana driver’s license
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING CONDITIONS
- Physical Demands – Must be able to push, pull, lift and carry over 50 pounds on occasion. Must be able to quickly navigate stairways and cross buildings.
- May require prolonged standing, sitting, bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching.
- Driving Requirement – This job description may require the incumbent to drive. Any employee who chooses or is asked to drive an FWCS vehicle for work related community business must receive written annual authorization to do so.
The physical demands described here are a representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.