Culture and Climate Specialist

MISSION:

The mission of Marion P. Thomas Charter School is to build culturally rich, transformative educational spaces that cultivate successful, lifelong innovators who use their passions, character, and intellect to better themselves, the greater Newark community, and the world beyond.

WHO YOU ARE:

The Climate and Culture Specialist will play a critical role in improving student performance in a school by ensuring the school creates and maintains a positive learning environment and a culture of high expectations. Climate & Culture Specialists will collaborate with school staff to implement strategies and programs designed to improve culture and climate, and work to ensure that the school is safe and supports learning. In addition, the Climate & Culture Specialist will work with school staff to effectively engage families on the importance of school attendance.

Do you have what it takes?

• Education and Experience:

• BA or higher in Social Work, Psychology or Counseling Education or related field preferred.

• A minimum 2 years of instructional experience or minimum 2 years of experience as a Social Worker, Psychologist, Counselor or relevant outside experience preferred.

THE ROLE:

• To provide leadership to ensure that all students understand the school environment, themselves in relation to others, their progress, and their strengths

• To monitor and evaluate the physical/mental/emotional well-being of students, assess risks to student health, and plan programs that directly address the physical/ mental/ emotional health of students

• To provide a variety of student related services, including behavior modification, attendance monitoring, oversight of student activities, management of student transit, and other functions required for the effective operation of the school site

• The Culture and Climate Specialist will work collaboratively with parents to provide information regarding programs and services offered in the district and to foster an ongoing partnership between the home and the school

• Establish and promote high standards and expectations for students

• Work cooperatively and collectively with principals, district staff, parents and other supervisors to ensure that programs and services are coordinated in the schools and are administered uniformly and equitably

• Provide recommendations to improve district policies and school-based implementation; interview and survey staff and other stakeholders to determine opportunities for improvement; and research specific issues and develop detailed recommendations and implementation plans to promote continuous improvement and innovation

• Establish a system for measuring culture and climate improvements including attendance data, discipline data, student achievement data, and climate survey responses

• Collaborate with building administrators and school-based teams to build their capacity to develop school-wide systems for student discipline that incorporate the following: regular data analysis, data-based decision-making; identification of students in need of support; provision of high-quality interventions when students’ behavior results in repeated disciplinary responses; and strategies to promote student behavior and school climate

• Serve as the facilitator of Restorative Practices programs

• Term of Employment: 12 Months

• Union: Unaffiliated

Are You Ready To Join The Village?

Here’s what you can expect-

• The opportunity to join an experienced, diverse, and mission-driven team that is passionate about educational equity
• Healthcare: Medical, dental, vision, STD, LTD, and Life Insurance policies
• Family Focus: Parental/Family leave so you can care for your loved ones
• Pension: Eligibility for participation in the state pension plan
• Learning & Development: A culture that encourages and promotes professional growth and development
• Bonus – We do our best work to succeed together. When goals are reached and if eligible, you'll be rewarded.

Next Steps: MPTCS is currently reviewing applications on a rolling basis. Due to the high volume of responses received not every applicant will be contacted. If you meet the qualifications, you will be contacted to move forward in the selection process.

Marion P. Thomas Charter School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.