Student Engagement Advocate

Jeffco Public Schools; Colorado; On-site; USD 47,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Jeffco Public Schools in Colorado seeks a Student Engagement Advocate to support students and families facing barriers to school success. This is a 205-day, 1.0 FTE role with 8 hours per day and occasional evenings/weekends for events like Back to School Bash.

The role emphasizes outreach, connecting families to community resources, managing a caseload of 45+ students, and coordinating with school staff and community partners to promote attendance and engagement.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience supporting opportunity youth.
• Experience coordinating with school district, youth and community resources.
• Experience working with students who have attendance challenges and homelessness.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Connect students and families to community resources such as food assistance, housing support, mental health services, and academic support.
• Identify students experiencing homelessness or at risk of dropping out and coordinate services.
• Maintain a caseload of 45+ students with targeted interventions.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local human services and community agencies.
• Work with school personnel to develop support plans for attendance issues.
• Assist families in understanding benefits eligibility and applications for assistance programs.
• Serve as a point of contact for students, families, staff and community agencies.
• Perform home visits to assess family situations and provide direct support.
• Maintain accurate records of student progress and services.
• Plan and facilitate school, district, and community resource events.
• Coordinate with team members to deliver integrated services.

Skills

Experience with opportunity youth

Interpersonal skills

Verbal and written communication

Organization

Education

Bachelor Degree preferred

Job description

HOURS AND DAYS WORKED

Desired Start Date: 10/05/2026

Student Engagement Advocate
Annual Position
FLSA: Nonexempt
FTE: 1.00000 , Hours/Day: 8.000 , Days/Year: 205
Salary Plan, Grade, Step: CSE - Site Based Scty -205 day , R78, 1
Pay Range: $28.75 - $36.32 Effective as of: 08-16-2025

Compensation schedules for Jeffco Schools can be found here. Starting salary for non-licensed roles is based on the candidate's relevant work experience and education. Additional considerations may be given for job-specific certifications and skills. Applicants should submit all relevant and verifiable education, training and work experiences at the time of application. Starting Salary for licensed educators is based on the step and lane schedule found here.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENT

The successful new hire or rehired candidate will be responsible to complete and incur the fingerprinting and processing fee of $57.50 through an appropriate fingerprinting vendor and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, within 48 hours of offer acceptance.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Summary: Responsible for supporting students and families facing barriers to school success. The primary population this school year will be students with attendance challenges and who are at-risk of dropping out (with an emphasis to include students experiencing homelessness). This work requires outreach to students and families, identifying their strengths and needs, and facilitating connections to school and community resources as well as understanding policies and eligibility criteria in order to facilitate services. This work will include working some evenings each month as well as a few projects each year on weekends such as Jeffco's Back to School Bash each summer.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Connect students and families to community resources such as food assistance, housing support, mental health services, and academic support.
• Identify students experiencing homelessness or at risk of dropping out and coordinate educational, health, and support services to address identified needs.
• Maintain a caseload of 45+ students, providing targeted interventions and ongoing support to address academic, attendance, and behavioral concerns.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local human services, mental/behavioral health providers, and community agencies to link students and families to necessary resources, such as food assistance, housing support, and counseling services.
• Work with school personnel to develop and implement support plans for students with attendance issues, addressing underlying causes, and promoting consistent school engagement.
• Support families in understanding benefits eligibility and completing applications for assistance programs, including the eligibility for McKinney-Vento Act.
• Serve as a point of contact for students, families, school staff, and community agencies, ensuring effective communication about available resources, program requirements, and student progress.
• Perform home visits as needed to assess family situations, provide direct support, and foster positive connections between the school and home.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of student progress, including enrollment, attendance, disciplinary actions, academic performance, and service referrals.
• Assist in planning and facilitating school, district, and community resource events to promote student and family engagement.
• Coordinate with other team members to deliver integrated services to students and families, ensuring a cohesive approach to student support.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE

2 or more years of experience supporting opportunity youth. Demonstrated experience working with multiple systems to include school district, youth, and community resources; and experience working with students who have attendance challenges. Preference for experience working in and with communities experiencing poverty and homelessness.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Bachelor Degree preferred. Coursework in human services, social work, psychology recommended. Training in Motivational Interviewing, Restorative Practices, Diversity/Equity, Youth Mental Health First Aid, QPR, recommended.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES & REGISTRATIONS

Requires a valid drivers license and auto insurance.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Understanding of risk factors associated with school dropout. Knowledge of basic case management principles and techniques. Familiarity with school policies, attendance protocols, and intervention strategies. Awareness of community resources and support services for students and families in poverty. Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills to connect with students and families. Effective verbal and written communication skills, including active listening and empathy. Organizational skills to manage multiple cases and track student progress. Ability to collaborate with school staff, community partners, and families. Ability to identify and assess student needs and risk factors. Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately. Ability to remain calm and focused in stressful or emotionally charged situations.

The physical requirements, mental requirements and work environment factors described below are 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.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Ability to focus on objects at varying distances and distinguish between colors (with corrective lenses). Perform tasks that require manual dexterity, including operation of computers & small office equipment. Basic mobility and the ability to navigate the office environment safely. Ability to speak clearly, listen attentively (with assistance devices), and convey information accurately.

MENTAL FUNCTIONS: Ability to analyze situations, identify potential risks, and devise effective solutions. Ability to remain flexible, adjusting plans and strategies as necessary to accommodate changing requirements or circumstances. Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with other teams. Ability to manage time and priorities to meet deadlines.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work will be primarily performed in offices (including outside agencies) and secondary school offices. Typical secondary school campus may also contain libraries, science labs, computer labs, kitchens, auditoriums, gymnasiums & athletic fields, and possibly specialized shops. Also performs home visits in a variety of residential settings, which may include exposure to unpredictable conditions including the presence of pets, unkempt premises, allergens (secondhand smoke, dander, etc.) and individuals experiencing emotional distress. Procedures must followed to maintain personal safety and professional boundaries. May be exposed to outside elements and potential injury due to traffic accidents during travel between campuses and offices.

The Jefferson County School District does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, pregnancy, or gender.