Center Aide
Center Aide, DC Metro AFSA 22-23
Position Description
Description
Higher Achievement, a nationally acclaimed nonprofit organization working to close the achievement gap for motivated, yet underserved students from low-income communities, seeks candidates for the position of Center Aide for the 2022-2023 school year.
The Center Aide is a part-time seasonal position, working 9-12 hours per week, Monday through Thursday for the duration of Higher Achievement's Afterschool Academy from mid September 2022 through late May 2023. The specific schedule will be determined based on the needs of the center and will be relatively consistent, week-to-week. Center Aides attend a multi-day orientation and training preceding Afterschool Academy's start. Periodic trainings and professional development opportunities throughout the Academy will be required as well. This position involves direct work with scholars, administrative tasks, and staff meetings throughout the year.
The Organization
Higher Achievement believes that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. We work to close the achievement gap for motivated - yet underserved - students from low-income communities. We intervene during the critical transition to middle school by providing year-round, multi-year support for students in the 5th – 8th grades. As students prepare to graduate from our program in the 8th grade, we help them transition successfully to advanced high school programs that keep students on track for college. On average, 95% of Higher Achievement scholars graduate high school on time.
Founded in 1975 in Washington, DC, as a grassroots effort to create learning opportunities for children in low-income neighborhoods, Higher Achievement has impacted the lives of more than 10,000 young people and currently operates Achievement Centers in Washington, DC, Alexandria, VA, Baltimore, MD, Pittsburgh, PA, and Richmond, VA. Higher Achievement’s award-winning model of rigorous academic mentoring, individualization of services, and comprehensive academic support is guided by leading research for effective out-of-school time programs. More information about Higher Achievement may be found at: http://www.higherachievement.org.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Instructional
- Effectively manage an intensive and structured classroom (Learning Block) of up to 15 scholars
- Ensure that homework is completed by all scholars to a high degree of quality. High-quality assignments are characterized by a high level of accuracy, an organized and clear presentation, and answers that indicate thinking beyond the surface level.
- Assist scholars in preparing for upcoming quizzes, tests, and projects and coach them to develop strong study skills
- Support and guide any classroom volunteers to assist scholars with any homework and/or upcoming assignments . Classroom volunteers typically consist of high school students who are alumni or college students
- Answer questions and re-teach basic, necessary concepts to scholars
- Provide supplemental work or other academic activities for scholars who complete their homework or who have been identified as needing additional help
- Other academic activities may consist of completing supplemental assignments or activities on an online platform, assisting scholars with their high school application, or creating opportunities for scholars to work in groups to complete a passion project
- Reinforce Higher Achievement's philosophies and positive work culture by holding scholars to high expectations and reinforcing the center behavior management and incentive systems
- Create a positive and supportive classroom environment where scholars feel comfortable asking for assistance
- Track scholar progress using the center's established tracking mechanisms
- Reinforce Higher Achievement culture principals of respect, spirit, collaboration and excellence
Administrative
- Support center staff in completing various administrative tasks including greeting and checking-in scholars, setting up and serving dinner, data entry, making phone calls to parents and families, preparing materials for the day, and ensuring that host site space is left clean and in good condition
- Supervise scholars during transitions and other center activities, such as Community Meeting and recess
- Communicate with families regarding their child’s progress during Higher Achievement
- Uphold and enforce Higher Achievement's culture of high expectations and positive learning environment
- Attend scheduled center staff meetings
Elective Management
- Determine an engaging elective that you will facilitate multiple days a week
- Design the activities to be included inyour elective, outlining objectives and activities on a monthly basis
- Be prepared with a daily plan to facilitate activities to ensure engagement, safety and structure
- Communicate supply needs to Learning Director in a timely manner
- Provide supervision and behavior management support to scholars during activities
- When possible and appropriate, incorporate students' ideas for activities into elective
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Commitment to the mission and work of Higher Achievement
- High school diploma or equivalent required; current college students encouraged to apply
- Experience with data entry and/or administrative tasks strongly preferred
- Experience working with youth required; experience working with middle school students in a classroom setting is strongly preferred
- Experience managing groups of up to 15 middle school students is strongly preferred
- Strong oral and written communication skills with ability to communicate professionally and effectively with staff, scholars, and families
- Comfortable with technology
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus
Higher Achievement Core Competencies: Higher Achievement values our core competencies, and as such, we expect that competitive applications will be able to demonstrate strengths in these areas:
- Relationship Building
- Candid Communications
- Pursuit of Excellence
- Growth Mindset
- Solutions-Oriented
Compensation and Benefits: The hourly rate for this seasonal, part-time, non-exempt position is $20 per hour and is commensurate with skills, experience, and certifications. As a seasonal, part-time position, this role is not eligible for company benefits outside of those required by federal, state, or local laws.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment: Work is regularly performed in a school setting. Employee may spend long periods of time sitting, standing, and walking. Must be able to walk from one part of the worksite to another and climb stairs. Employee regularly lifts, carries, and positions objects weighting up to 20 pounds. Position involves regular use of a computer and keyboard, telephone, and face-to-face communication in small and large group settings with youth and adults; employee must be able to communicate clearly and professionally in all of these situations. Employee must have visual, auditory, and physical ability to respond quickly to critical incidents involving students and act in an emergency situation.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Additional Information: The Center Aide works four days per week (Monday-Thursday), from 3:30 – 6:00 pm, with some variation possible depending on the center assigned.
Background Check & Clearance Requirements: This position requires a criminal background check prior to hire, and candidate must be able to pass all additional clearance requirements as mandated by school districts and state/local municipalities. Higher Achievement pays for all clearance steps for its employees.
Covid-19 Update: Higher Achievement requires proof of FULL Covid-19 vaccination for all Higher Achievement employees. *Effective 1/1/22 FULL Vaccination will mean that staff who are *eligible* to receive a booster shot as per current CDC guidelines link here will need to provide proof of receiving a Covid-19 booster shot, in addition to proof of having received the primary vaccination series. Unless an accommodation has been granted by HA, proof of vaccination is required before employment may begin.
To Apply: Please submit your application by visiting https://higherachievement.org/about/careers/ Select Job Board, and locate the Center Aide position, and select the city of interest. Click Apply Now! Interested applicants are encouraged to apply immediately; priority consideration will be given to all applicants who apply by August 5th, but the position will remain open until all spots are filled. Please, no phone calls, emails or recruiters.
Note: An application is not complete and will not be considered until your signature is provided at the last step of the application process and submitted through our application portal.
The hiring process consists of a brief online application, followed by a 20-30 minute phone interview and a 45 minute Zoom interview. Candidates must be able to provide 3 professional or educational references when applying. Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States to be considered for this position.
Start Date: This position is anticipated to start is September 19th, 2022, for paid training.
Higher Achievement provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, sex, gender identity or expression, age, medical condition, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, military status, caregiver or family status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
ACHIEVEMENT CENTER LOCATIONS
Baltimore
Mount Royal: The Mount Royal School: 121 McMechen St, Baltimore, MD 21217
Lakeland: Lakeland Elementary Middle School: 2921 Stranden Rd, Baltimore, MD 21230
Highlandtown: Highlandtown Elementary/Middle School: 231 S Eaton St, Baltimore, MD 21224
Richmond
Boushall: Thomas C. Boushall Middle School: 3400 Hopkins Rd, Richmond, VA 23234
Henderson: Henderson Middle School: 4319 Old Brook Rd, Richmond, VA 23227
Binford: Binford Middle School: 1701 Floyd Ave, Richmond, VA 23220
DC Metro
Alexandria: Francis Hammond Middle School: 4646 Seminary Rd, Alexandria, VA 22304
Greenbelt: Greenbelt Middle School: 6301 Breezewood Dr, Greenbelt, MD 20770
Ward 1: Meridian Public Charter School, 770 Kenyon Street NW, Washington, DC 20010
Ward 4: Ida B Wells Middle School: 405 Sheridan St NW, Washington, DC 20011
Ward 5: Brookland Middle School: 1150 Michigan Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20018
Ward 6: Eliot-Hine Middle School: 1830 Constitution Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002
Ward 7: Kelly Miller Middle School: 301 49th Street NE, Washington, DC 20019
Ward 8: KIPP AIM DC, 2600 Douglass Rd SE, Washington DC 20020