Job Description

Position Summary:

The School Climate Specialist (SCS) is part of Department of Special Education at Vanderbilt University and works closely with partners at the Mobile County Public School System and the University of South Alabama. The SCS will facilitate the implementation of a school-based intervention funded under R01 MD017477 "Preventing Youth Violence Through Building Equitable Communities". They will serve as the primary liaison between partnering schools and project investigators and staff. They will coordinate all intervention and evaluation activities with the school and work closely with school administration, project investigators, and the project director. The SCS will provide coaching to teachers in implementation of responsive teaching around behavior management. They will facilitate and support implementation of School-Wide Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (SWPBS) and assist in tracking benchmarks and monitoring effectiveness. The SCS must follow school system policies and procedures and maintain confidentiality of all participants.

About the Work Unit:

Peabody College is devoted to creating opportunities in an increasingly diverse society and to solving large societal problems.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Liaise between project team and participating schools’ administrations.
• Recruit and schedule participating teachers.
• Conduct classroom observations and teacher meetings, using Motivational Interviews.
• Complete reports and maintain records.
• Attend team meetings.
• Co-lead intervention trainings.
• Assist in data collection as needed.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively and functionally to the SOAR Project Coordinator and the Primary Investigator.

Education and Certifications:

• MA degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the area of education, social science or related fields is strongly preferred.

Experience and Skills:

• Experience working in schools is necessary.
• Ability to work under deadlines with general guidance is necessary.
• Strong work ethic, high integrity, and excellent interpersonal skills is necessary.
• Ability to work outside of typical business hours to accommodate school hours is necessary.
• Experience in an academic research is required.
• Experience with computer software including Microsoft Office and Google Drive is necessary.
• Experience interacting with children, teachers, parents and the community is necessary.

Physical Requirements:

• Frequently perform desk-based computer tasks, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 30 pounds
• Frequently stand/walk, sit, use a telephone, write by hand, and sort/file paperwork.

Working Conditions

• Transportation to participating schools in Mobile, AL is required; a preferred candidate will have a valid driver’s license and access to their own transportation.

Key Characteristics of a Successful Team Member in this Work Unit:

• Autonomous – Self-managing; self-motivated; manages time, activities and outcomes well so that progress stays on track.
• Reliable – Does what they say they will do, when they say they will do it; shows up for work when expected; doesn’t push the burden of work volume or deadlines to others.
• Hard-Working – Is industrious as well as efficient (busy isn’t the same as productive); can juggle multiple competing priorities simultaneously without becoming overwhelmed.
• Good Communication – Provides information clearly and accurately in various settings, ensuring understanding and participation.

General Characteristics of a Successful Vanderbilt University Staff Member:

ACCOUNTABILITY: Owns decisions, outcomes, work products, etc. that are within the scope of one’s role.

• Works through Issues – Recognizes that the work is about successful outcomes, if things aren’t going well, outcomes suffer; is willing to have crucial conversations if things aren’t going well; doesn’t just complain to management… does everything possible to remedy the situation directly first
• Reliable – Does what they say they will do, when they say they will do it; shows up for work when expected; doesn’t push the burden of work volume or deadlines to others
• Integrity – Holds oneself accountable; takes responsibility for failures as well as successes, recognizes that trust is required to hold a team together
• Acceptance of Feedback – Takes constructive criticism with grace, and makes improvements without taking it personally or holding grudges; when wrong, owns it – freely admits mistakes

COLLABORATION: Works inclusively to build trust and accomplish tasks, goals, and initiatives. Understands, anticipates, and appropriately responds to internal and/or external customers’ needs.

• Optimism – Is friendly, tirelessly cordial, polite, and genial; comes in to work with a good attitude and doesn’t bring their own personal “little black clouds” into the work environment
• Teamwork – Genuinely values teamwork and co-workers, makes them feel valuable and important by acknowledging what they do well; doesn’t expect from others effort that one is unwilling to do themselves, finds ways to acknowledge other’s strong suits
• Honest and Transparent – Doesn’t have hidden agendas, doesn’t play people against each other; is authentic and forthright
• Helpful Nature – Offers to help lighten the load for others in times of need; volunteers rather than waiting to be asked; understands that almost no one works in a silo and needs the help of others to do their job well; recognizes that by helping others first, others will likely reciprocate

COMMUNICATION: Provides information clearly and accurately in various settings, ensuring understanding and participation. Understands how best to present information to different audiences and understands how information may be perceived.

• Shares – Shares information. Communicates proactively. Transmits knowledge; recognizes that “knowledge is power” is less effective than “sharing knowledge is power.” Asks for advice, and considers it thoughtfully
• Is Nice – Asks caring, interested questions and is a good listener -- smiles and is grateful; sends appropriate notes of thanks to others who have helped; avoids gossip or saying negative things about co-workers; patient and generous; makes suggestions rather than stating hard and fast opinions. Avoids being negative, sarcastic, and cynical
• Praises Publicly; Criticizes Privately – When dealing with a difficult co-workers or customers, “pretend your children are watching” how the situation is handled; good manners help keep a cool head; gives credit where credit is due
• Responds Promptly – Recognizes that when emails and phone messages aren’t returned in a timely way, it sends the message that the other party is not important; responds even if just to acknowledge receipt and provide a timeframe by which the requester can expect a full response

DRIVE & GRIT: Is focused on professional excellence and strives to facilitate and support the same for colleagues in and outside their team, effectively manages through challenges and opportunities while seeking to understand and learn from professional experiences.

• Perspective – Maintains a sense of humor and perspective; can laugh first and foremost at oneself
• Raises the Bar – Expects and delivers excellence; is a creative problem solver; is proactive; welcomes input on making things better -- places a high value on learning and getting better
• Resilience – Is resilient in the face of daunting challenges and setbacks; bounces back readily.
• Adaptability – Reads cues and adapt accordingly; adjusts style and approach to accommodate the styles and needs of others; can anticipate and effectively de-escalate potential conflicts

ENGAGED: Appreciates the values and mission of the organization, works to contribute to the university, and understands how their work affects the university and university community.

• Eager – Enthusiastic, wanting to learn, wanting to continue one’s personal and professional development and expertise
• Hard-Working – Is industrious as well as efficient (busy isn’t the same as productive); can juggle multiple competing priorities simultaneously without becoming overwhelmed
• Believes – Believes in the work being done and in the importance of the organization’s mission
• Creative Thinking – Goes beyond the boundaries of the job description, willingly takes on new challenges, and finds creative solutions rather than always awaiting direct instructions

JUDGMENT & PROFESSIONAL ACUMEN: Makes appropriate decisions and evaluates risk and uncertainty to create ideal outcomes, exhibits an eye for the macro and the micro, and works to ensure others are able to do the same.

• Autonomous – Self-managing; self-motivated; manages time, activities and outcomes well so that progress stays on track; cleans up after themselves
• Maturity -- Exhibits professional maturity; doesn’t pass the buck to dodge accountability; doesn’t engage in petty office politics or inappropriate social conduct
• Detail-Oriented – Even small mistakes can create big issues; attention to detail work indicates care about the outcomes
• Assumes the Best – Assumes that others are working as hard as you are on things that are as important as what you are working on; just because you don’t know what someone does, it doesn’t mean they’re not doing anything

Additional Characteristics of a Successful Vanderbilt University Leader:

ACCOUNTABILITY & EXECUTION: Owns decisions, outcomes, work products, etc. that are within the scope of one’s role.

• Holds everyone in the workgroup accountable for accomplishing the outcomes of the unit.
• Lets the buck stop with them; owns the outcomes for the work unit and doesn’t throw subordinates under the bus if things go wrong
• Practices what they preach; doesn’t set expectations of others that they don’t live up to themselves
• Pitches in to help the team when it really needs help
• Communicates early and often, even as information is evolving
• Is willing to learn from their direct reports.
• Welcomes inquiry and recognizes mistakes as learning opportunities
• Thinks creatively when tackling a challenge; questions the status quo in search of better ways. Looks for insights, assesses risks

COACHING, DEVELOPMENT & TEAM FOCUS: Leads by example, works to ensure that members of the team have the necessary tools, resources, and knowledge to be successful.

• Ensures that team members have the tools and resources to do the job
• Praises publicly; is genuinely appreciative of the accomplishments of members of the team
• Criticizes privately; focuses more on how to do it better next time than how it went wrong this time
• Willingly shares expertise with team members; actively coaches
• Is clear with the deliverables and outcomes needed, but allows members of the team to tackle the problems in the way they see fit, without micromanaging every process; understands that the destination – rather than the exact route – is what’s important
• Cares about their employees as people, not just as “resources”
• Makes this a fun place to work; Enhances comradery, builds trust, and invites members of the work group to be their authentic selves
• Addresses problems among the workgroup when they arise, rather than letting them fester

DECISION MAKING & DIRECTION SETTING: Takes responsibility for and make effective decisions through understanding the needs of the institution, collaborating and communicating, and identifying the strategic and operational imperatives of the university.

• Makes decisions, even in the face of incomplete information, rather than avoiding making decisions.
• Seeks first to understand before making decisions; doesn’t act first and ask questions later; solicits input from a diverse group of others including members of the work group, others stakeholders, and naysayers/critics, when faced with complex challenges, before making a decision. Identifies options and homes in on pros and cons of each option; Lets others know where they are in their decision-making process
• Shares a clear vision for the work of the unit, and is clear about what outcomes are expected.
• Provides clear guidance and direction, doesn’t change direction with the wind; communicates in ways that are clear and succinct, rather than confusing or ambiguous
• Communicates early and often, even as information is evolving
• Champions the work unit’s cause, and makes compelling business cases for its needs
• Is willing to course-correct if things aren’t going as planned, even after decisions have been made and communicated

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.