Education Advocate - Spanish Speaking

ORGANIZATION

EVkids empowers underserved Boston youth with the skills and confidence needed to realize their potential. EVkids creates a community of support through 1-on-1, multi-year, academic mentoring relationships, professional family engagement and school advocacy, college success advising and mentoring support, and a summer camp at our 9-acre site in Vermont. By building a safe space where success is expected and attainable together, EVkids helps low-income students get to and through college.

Based in Dorchester, EVkids is a faith-based organization that supports low-income Boston students grades 3 to 12 aspire to and achieve college enrollment and graduation as first-generation college attendees. EVkids volunteer tutors are students at local universities, including Boston College, Harvard, Northeastern, Tufts, and UMass Boston among others. EVkids tutors commit to the values of service, community, and reflection, and as such, graduate to become lifelong agents of positive social change. 

More than 125 Tutoring pairs meet weekly across five EVkids after-school Tutoring sites, three in Dorchester, one in Roxbury, and one virtual site. They are supported through weekly contact with families, regular communication with teachers and guidance counselors, on- and off-site support for tutors, and community- and campus-based events. The EVkids College Success Project helps high school students find their spark, access internships and other resume-building opportunities, and navigate the college application process. Graduates are paired with college success mentors (often past tutors) to support them as they take control over their college journey. We also host up to 36 campers each summer at EVkids Camp in Vermont. Learn more at www.evkids.org.

OPPORTUNITY

This is a 10-month school-year position (September 2024 – June 2025) with annual renewal. The Education Advocate manages a caseload of up to 20 students, working with their families and teachers to support the work of their 1-on-1 tutors each week. Regular responsibilities include school visits, home visits, campus meetings with tutors, and some transportation of EVkids to and from after-school Tutoring. Special projects include some Saturday trainings, mentoring, and community events.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

School Advocacy, Family Engagement, and Tutoring Support

• Conduct teacher visits to ascertain student needs and progress; prepare teacher conference reports
• Meet with tutors individually to discuss student Tutoring plans 
• Maintain weekly contact and conduct home visits as needed with parents and guardians to ensure continuity between Tutoring, school, and family caregivers
• Accompany parents to school meetings as needed for support and advocacy
• Research and provide families and students with information and resources regarding school options
• Support tutors and students during after-school Tutoring sessions
• Assist with transporting students and setup and breakdown of site as needed
• Participate in weekly program meetings and supervision
• Participate in occasional weekend training and mentoring events, including: tutor trainings, on-campus Tutor-Tutee Days, an annual Gala, and an annual Community Celebration
• Assist with program evaluation and reporting

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience, in education or social work-related field preferred
• At least 2-3 years’ experience in teaching, mentoring/tutoring, or related field (familiarity with Boston schools preferred)
• Professional experience working with diverse populations, including low-income, ethnically diverse, BIPOC communities, school-age children, university students, parents, teachers, and school administrators
• Excellent verbal, written, and computer skills; familiarity with Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, & Forms) and Salesforce a plus

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bilingual Spanish-speaker required; bicultural preferred
• Personal connections to, and familiarity with, the Dorchester and/or Roxbury neighborhoods a plus
• Passion for the mission and core values of EVkids
• Cultural sensitivity & humility; openness to explore organizational racial equity efforts 
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively with an energized, committed, and diverse team
• Comfort navigating multiple work sites, home visits, meetings at schools and in the community, and managing one's own calendar day-to-day
• A clean Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and driving record required; confidence navigating the neighborhoods of Dorchester and Roxbury, and a reliable vehicle desired

Salary/Benefits

Salary is $3,900 to $4,400/month commensurate with experience; $2,000 in home office & travel reimbursement; 4 weeks paid vacation that increases with longevity; 17.5 paid holidays including 4 floating; IRA and health care plan matches available.

Rooted in the Catholic tradition of social justice, EVkids is made stronger through the diversity of its team working towards a more equitable, compassionate, and socially just world. We actively encourage applications from people of all races, genders, sexual orientations, disabilities, national origins, political beliefs, veteran status, family status, and any (or no) faith. EVkids has a zero-tolerance policy for child maltreatment. Research shows that women and people of color are less likely to apply for a position if they do not meet almost 100% of the desired skills and experience. If this applies to you, we encourage you to apply and make use of the cover letter to describe what draws you to this position.

Submit cover letter, resume, and references to laurenravello@evkids.org