Position Title: Maven – Shades of Sisterhood (SOS) Program
Reports To: Assistant Superintendent of Innovation, Equity, and Engagement
Department: Office of Innovation, Equity, and Engagement
Location: Schenectady City School District – Capital Region, Upstate New York
Position Summary
The Schenectady City School District is seeking a highly motivated, compassionate, and skilled individual to serve as a Maven for our Shades of Sisterhood (SOS) initiative. This initiative is designed to address systemic opportunity gaps affecting girls and young women by providing mentorship, advocacy, and socio-emotional support that empowers them to reach their full potential.
Mavens will be embedded within our middle and high schools and are responsible for implementing structured group mentoring programs. The ideal candidate must demonstrate exceptional emotional intelligence, cultural responsiveness, flexibility, and a commitment to youth development and educational equity.
Key Responsibilities
The Maven will be expected to carry out the following duties and responsibilities:
- Program Facilitation & Instruction
- Lead regularly scheduled small-group mentoring sessions aligned with the SOS curriculum.
- Facilitate engaging lessons and activities that promote leadership, self-confidence, self-awareness, and academic success.
- Mentorship & Relationship Building
- Serve as the primary mentor and point of contact (“Check and Connect”) for all SOS students assigned within their designated school building.
- Build trusting, supportive relationships with students, families, and school staff.
- Progress Monitoring & Communication
- Attend weekly check-ins with SOS Leads to discuss individual student progress and overall group dynamics.
- Track students' academic, behavioral, and emotional progress and maintain detailed records.
- Maintain consistent, professional communication with families to keep them informed of student participation, accomplishments, and areas of concern.
- Student Advocacy & Support
- Assist students with personal goal-setting, time management, and organizational strategies.
- Actively advocate for student needs by maintaining ongoing communication with teachers and school staff to remove barriers to student success.
- Program Engagement
- Attend and support planning for after-school and weekend SOS events, activities, and field trips as part of program enrichment.
Qualifications & Core Competencies
The ideal candidate must possess the following attributes:
- Passion for Youth Empowerment – Demonstrated commitment to supporting the academic, emotional, and personal growth of girls and young women.
- Cultural Responsiveness – Deep understanding of the cultural, racial, and socioeconomic factors impacting youth in urban school settings.
- Strong Communication Skills – Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to connect with students, families, and colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
- Mentorship & Advocacy – Proven ability to advocate for and mentor youth in one-on-one and group settings.
- Professionalism & Collaboration – Highly organized, dependable, and able to thrive in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
- Flexibility & Initiative – Able to adapt to changing needs, take initiative, and manage multiple responsibilities with minimal supervision.
Additional Requirements
- Availability to work outside of regular school hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed for program events and activities.
- Background check and clearance in accordance with district policy.
If you are a passionate, student-centered professional who believes in the power of mentorship and equity-driven practices, we encourage you to apply for this impactful role.