26-94; Elementary Student Affinity Group Advisor; Helman; Temporary

Temporary work site: Helman Elementary

Salary: $948 - $1,896 (2025-26 Salary Schedule; 2026-27 Salary Schedule to be determined)

Start date: 08/31/2026

About the Role

An Affinity Group is made up of people who share a common identifier, such as race, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Affinity members can speak from the "I" perspective, allowing for exploration of identity, celebration of shared identity, and a safe space to discuss common challenges. Each elementary school has one Affinity Group Advisor who:

• Coordinates and facilitates one elementary student affinity group, including a minimum of one 45-minute meeting per month.
• Supports the facilitation of up to three other site student affinity groups, including meeting logistics, snacks, and planning.

Responsibilities

Professional Development

• Attend affinity group advisor orientation and professional development, including mentorship sessions.
• Participate in quarterly collaboration meetings with other affinity group advisors.
• Annually complete the District's required online training by the assigned due date.
• Attend monthly affinity group advisors PLC hosted by the SOESD.

Coordination and Facilitation

• Coordinate and facilitate monthly meetings for one elementary student affinity group.
• Support the facilitation of other site affinity groups.
• Assist the Administrator in identifying interested facilitators (other site staff or community members).
• Conduct monthly debriefs with facilitators and assist with any issues that arise.
• Schedule meeting times and locations for all site student affinity groups in conjunction with the family calendar and approval from the site administrator.
• Ensure an on-site emergency contact is available if meetings occur outside of school hours.
• Set up calendar invites with Zoom links for virtual meetings.
• Coordinate participant invitations:
  • Attain PowerSchool list of potential student participants from the site Administrator.
  • Work with group facilitators to draft and send email and hard-copy invites to potential student participants, ensuring confidentiality (using BCC and envelopes).
  • Invite new members via the networks of current group members.
• With facilitators and site Administrator oversight, be mindful of group membership and redefine the group’s focus if necessary.
• Keep confidential records of meeting attendance, including collecting attendance sheets from facilitators of other affinity groups.
• Manage materials and budget:
  • Each affinity group with a district-approved advisor or facilitator will receive funds for snacks, materials, and activities.
  • Plan for the year and stay within the allotted budget.
  • Arrange purchases and orders for up to four affinity groups, complete reimbursement paperwork, and submit it to the site office manager.
  • With Administrator oversight, review and vet any reading materials, video clips, etc., before sharing them with groups.

Communication

• Collaborate with and support building affinity group facilitator(s).
• Without breaking confidentiality, work with the group facilitator, school administrator, and SOESD SOBASS/Indian Ed. Specialists or District Equity Director (if needed) to communicate:
  • Building or district-level issues.
  • Updates about the group.
  • Need for support in facilitating the group.
  • Need for support in the group’s collective action plans.
  • Advocacy for the group in school and community settings.
• Provide photos, updates, and news about the group’s existence, purpose, and accomplishments to the Site Administrator for inclusion in school newsletters and website news.
• Share information with students about upcoming regional events hosted by the SOESD and SOU geared to each affinity group.
• Professionally represent the school and District in interactions with parents, community members, staff, and students, and resolve conflict professionally.

Facilitation

• In the initial meeting, lay out the purpose of the group and create community agreements with participant input.
• Structure meetings appropriately for grade level, time allotted, and expressed needs of the group.
• Facilitate community-building and social-emotional well-being of the group.
• Encourage sharing of lived experiences, group celebration, and support.
• Assist students in processing difficult topics, issues, and discussions.
• Plan for collective action, utilizing district policy and practices, such as:
  • Holding events for student participation within the larger school community.
  • Sharing salient themes with a school administrator (without breaking confidentiality).
  • Other leadership projects as determined by the group.
• Solicit feedback from group members via the SOESD satisfaction survey and adjust accordingly. Submit survey results to the district and SOESD as part of ongoing applications to funding sources.
• Work with the Site Administrator and families to coordinate speakers for affinity group meetings. If speakers are not school district employees, they must complete the regular volunteer approval process.
• Coordinate student participation in regional events hosted by the SOESD and SOU.
• Ensure all elementary affinity groups meet for a minimum of 45 minutes each month (groups may meet more frequently if desired).

Other Duties

Employees may be asked to perform duties outside of their primary responsibilities to support the success of the District’s goals.

Supervisory Responsibilities

All school employees share responsibility for supervising students and assisting in maintaining a safe environment.

Qualifications

• Current employees of the Ashland School District are strongly preferred. If no current employee is available, a community member may be hired to fill this role.
• Personally identify with the same affinity as students in the affinity group, or demonstrate strong allyship for the particular affinity group.

Physical Demands

• Regularly communicate with others, ensuring understanding and being understood.
• Move between buildings and visit sites throughout the district.
• Use a variety of digital systems, software, and hardware.
• May require some travel outside the district.

Work Environment

• Noise level is usually low to moderate but may occasionally be high depending on activities.
• Occasional exposure to wet or humid conditions and outdoor weather.
• May be exposed to blood-borne pathogens.