Job Description

About PLN

Founded on Skid Row in 1980, Para Los Niños (PLN) partners with more than 10,000 children, youth, and families each year through integrated education, wellness supports and advocacy, addressing individual and systemic barriers to create pathways to success. In addition to operating early education centers, charter elementary and middle schools, youth workforce development sites and family services, PLN is the only children’s mental health provider in the Skid Row neighborhood. PLN's community transformation work brings together community members, community-based organizations, city and county agencies, elected officials, and businesses to tackle issues that impact PLN families. Ninety-three percent of families served by PLN live in areas with the highest levels of food insecurity and homelessness in L.A. County.

The Community School Coordinator (CSC) supports the implementation of the community schools strategy at the school site level by working directly with students, families, school staff, and community partners. The CSC helps identify student and family needs, connects them to appropriate resources and services, coordinates community-based programs and activities, and facilitates engagement opportunities that strengthen the school community.

The CSC builds and maintains relationships with families, community organizations, and school staff to ensure services and resources are accessible, coordinated, and responsive to the needs of the school community. The role requires a highly collaborative, hands-on approach to supporting students and families, coordinating services, facilitating meetings and activities, and collecting information to monitor program effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

This is a 12-month, full-time, temporary position that is expected to end on June 30, 2029.

Duties

• Conducts needs and assets assessments, listening sessions, surveys, interviews, and other outreach activities to gather information about student, family, and community needs and available resources.
• Collects, organizes, and analyzes program and community data and uses findings to support the implementation and ongoing improvement of community school activities and services.
• Works directly with students and families to identify needs, provides information, and connects them with school-based and community resources related to academics, attendance, health and well-being, basic needs, family support, and other barriers to learning.
• Develops and maintains positive, trusting relationships with students, families, school staff, community-based organizations, public agencies, and other partners.
• Coordinates services, programs, workshops, events, and other activities provided by community partners during and beyond the school day.
• Serves as a point of contact for community partners and helps coordinate communication, scheduling, logistics, referrals, and follow-up to ensure services are delivered effectively.
• Facilitates meetings with school staff, students, families, and community partners to coordinate services, address identified needs, and support student and family engagement.
• Works directly with students and families to address barriers to attendance and engagement, including conducting outreach, making referrals, coordinating support, and following up on identified needs.
• Supports family engagement by welcoming families at school, providing information about available resources and opportunities, facilitating family meetings and activities, and creating opportunities for families to provide feedback and participate in school initiatives.
• Leads Community School Council and other school-based meetings by coordinating logistics, preparing materials, communicating with participants, documenting discussions and action items, and following up on assigned activities.
• Supports the implementation of professional learning, family workshops, community events, and other activities designed to strengthen student, family, and staff engagement.
• Attends school and community events, meetings, forums, and coalition activities and communicates information about available programs, services, and resources.
• Maintains accurate records of referrals, services, partnerships, participation, outreach, and other program activities in accordance with organizational and grant requirements.
• Tracks program participation and outcomes, prepare reports and presentations, and communicates relevant information to school and program staff.
• Gathers feedback from students, families, staff, and community partners and use information to identify service gaps, address challenges, and improve the delivery of programs and services.
• Ensures assigned activities and services are implemented in accordance with applicable program requirements, grant requirements, organizational policies, and school procedures
• Participates in agency, school, and community meetings, trainings, and professional development activities.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics

• Minimum two years of experience working in a public, charter and/or private school setting. Teaching or academic instruction experience is a plus.
• Builds and maintains positive, collaborative relationships with students, families, school staff, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrates respect, openness, and cultural awareness when working with individuals from various backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.
• Communicates clearly and effectively, listens actively, and engages diverse audiences through a variety of communication methods and settings.
• Demonstrates strong organization and prioritization skills while managing multiple projects, activities, timelines, and competing priorities.
• Applies sound judgment and practical problem-solving skills while adapting to changing circumstances, priorities, and individual needs.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English are required, and we celebrate linguistic diversity, valuing the unique perspectives and strengths that multilingual team members bring to our organization. Written and oral proficiency in Spanish preferred.
• Utilizes Microsoft Office Suite and other business systems to perform daily administrative functions, including data entry, document management, and professional correspondence.
• Travel Requirements: Up to 15% within Los Angeles County and within the United State requiring a valid driver's license, personal vehicle, and automobile insurance or access to reliable transportation.
Physical Requirements

To perform this job the individual must be able to carry out all essential functions satisfactorily.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Approximately 50% of time is spent sitting, while frequently required to walk, stand and bend.
• Must be able to speak and hear well.
• Good vision is imperative.
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Employee will be required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds without assistance.
• TB test clearance to be renewed every two years.
• Verification of Immunizations required by the California Department of Health (Pertussis, Measles and Influenza).
This job description does not encompass all essential functions and responsibilities. Para Los Niños reserves the right to modify or add to the typical duties of a position at any time.

Expectations for All Para Los Niños Staff

Candidates for employment at Para Los Niños, regardless of position, will consistently demonstrate the following:

• Unwavering belief in and commitment to fulfill the mission of Para Los Niños.
• Deep commitment to the success of all PLN students and families.
• Commitment to excellence and high standards -- for self, students, and colleagues.
• Continuous learning by engaging in reflection, self-assessment, and individual professional development.
• Use of data to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement.
• Ability to thrive as a member of a collaborative team.
• Self-motivation and initiative with solutions-oriented disposition.
• Belief in and ability to develop respectful relationships with families and children informed by the students’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively handle challenging situations.
• Comfort with basic Microsoft Office applications and a curiosity and propensity to push own adoption of new technology and approaches.
• Regular, punctual attendance and professional appearance.

Para Los Niños is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

It is the established policy of Para Los Niños (PLN) to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without discrimination with regard to race, religious belief (including dress or grooming practices), color, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including breast feeding), age, national origin (including possessing a driver’s license issued under Vehicle Code § 12801.9), ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, transgender status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, family care, marital status, enrollment in any public assistance program, status as military, a veteran or qualified disabled veteran, status as an unpaid intern or volunteer, or any other classification protected by law. PLN also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.