Careers

Pando is hiring Student Support Advocates (SSA) for the 2023-2024 school year to connect with students to help them thrive in school and life. A successful SSA is persistent, patient, socially aware and empathetic! 

Pando SSAs bring together students, families, and the community to impact lives and walk alongside them to accomplish goals.

What’s SO great about working for Pando:

• The opportunity to create the Pando program that best fits the needs of your school, as well as the ability to find creative ways to impact students,
• PAID winter, spring and summer breaks based on the district school calendar,
• Additional Paid Time Off (PTO),
• Option to participate in group medical, dental coverage, vision, 403(b) plan,
• Employer provided life insurance,
• Employer provided EMPAC services,
• Option to participate in a pre-tax Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

Positions starts End of July 2023

JOB SUMMARY:

The Student Support Advocate (SSA) provides case management, coordinates services to students and families, and implements programs and activities within the school building based upon the specific needs of the students, families, and the particular school.  The SSA works with family, school staff, community partners and volunteers to bring needed services into the school to help students succeed.  The SSA is responsible for being a positive role model for students, building positive relationships and maintaining open communication with parents, the community and school staff. Coordinates referrals of students and their families to outside agencies for services not provided on site. The SSA is responsible for meeting deadlines, entering data in the Pando Initiative data management system and submitting monthly reports as required.

ESSENTIAL/PRIMARY JOB FUNCTIONS:                                                                                                                 

Coordinate Services to Students and Families

• Initiate and follow through on selection/referral process at the site.
• Complete intake on new referrals and obtain parental/guardian consent for minors.
• Make home visits and/or phone contact with parents of assigned/caseload students on a regular and consistent basis.
• Prepare, implement, and monitor student/family service plans and case progress.
• Identify the needs of students and their families and make appropriate referrals.
• Facilitate and document student/parent involvement in appropriate programs and activities.
• Maintain student case files, including a valid parent consent for each student signed by a parent/guardian.
• Accurately report data in The Pando Initiative Data Management System.
• Provide case management for Pando students.
• Mandatory participation in school enrollment and parent/teacher conferences at school site.

Coordinate Pando Initiative Programs and Activities

• Lead, facilitate, coordinate, and evaluate the delivery of programs and activities at the site, and modify as needed.
• Build a caseload of PandoKids based on referrals.
• Ensure that programs and activities meet the needs of students, families, and the school.
• Promote positive relationships between the school site, administrative office, and community partners.
• Assist with the implementation of the Reality U program in middle and high schools.
• Facilitate small groups focusing on social-emotional/life skills, self-control behavior skills, attendance, academics incentive programs, enrichment activities, tutoring and mentoring.
• Participate in agency special events and fundraising programs.
• Adhere to The Pando Initiative guidelines regarding donations that include in-kind, monetary, and material in maintaining the spirit of The Pando Initiative’s mission of seeking and obtaining community resources for students/families.

Secondary Functions:

• Ability to promote positive relationships with others.
• Maintain regular and acceptable attendance.
• Promote professionalism through effective social etiquette, appearance, and attitude.
• Ability to stay focused and composed in emotional and challenging situations.
• Develop, establish, and maintain a work priority system to ensure daily workloads are fulfilled.
• Prepare and submit mid- and end-of-the-year site reports based on the templates provided.
• Attend and participate in any training or in-service as designated by supervisor.
• Must pass all required background checks.

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in social work, education, public administration, human service, or related field.
• Prefer previous experience working with youth and case management.
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with co-workers and the public.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to function in a diverse job situation.
• Knowledge of family systems.
• Knowledge of the community and available resources.
• Ability to handle crisis situations with composure.
• Requires tact, insight, leadership, confidentiality, and an excellent work ethic.
• Personal computer proficiency with the ability to use Office 365, G-suite, and database software.