Location: Utica, NY
Category: Research Foundation
Job Type: Full-time
Posted On: Mon Jun 29 2026
Job Description:
Student and Family Advocates within the SUNY Polytechnic Liberty Partnership Program (LPP) are dedicated school-based staff members supporting students aged 5th -12th grade through provision of academic, social emotional and career based LPP program services. Student and Family Advocates are responsible for connecting LPP students and families with necessary resources and support systems to overcome barriers to academic success, promote social emotional development and achieve posts-secondary education and or workforce goals. SUNY Polytechnic's LPP program serves six Herkimer County school districts including; Frankfort-Schuyler, Herkimer, Little Falls, Dolgeville, Mount Markham and Central Valley. Both Part-time and Full-time positions operate on a 12-month schedule.
Full-time Student and Family Advocates are based in a minimum of two out of the six contracted Herkimer County school districts are responsible for traveling weekly to a multiple times per week to deliver direct programming, student services, and family engagement activities. These positions require flexibility, strong communication skills, and the ability to effectively manage responsibilities across multiple school sites and community settings.
Part-time Student and Family Advocates are based in one out of the six contracted Herkimer Count school districts and are expected to travel twice weekly to provide direct student services, outreach activities, and programmatic support. Remaining hours are completed at the SUNY Polytechnic Institute Liberty Partnerships Program office in Utica. This is a part-time position consisting of 20 hours per week and offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on student success through direct engagement, mentorship, and advocacy.
Key responsibilities of an LPP Student and Family Advocate may include:
Case Management:
Each LPP Student and Family advocate carries a caseload of enrolled students within each district. Advocates assist in the assessment of student's goals and social emotional competencies annually, developing personalized support plans, collection and report of student specific data and monitoring progress throughout their time in the program.
Family Engagement:
Engaging with parents/guardians to seek consent for program and event participation and sharing relevant student updates as well as upcoming opportunities.
Academic Support:
Identifying academic challenges, connecting students with tutoring or additional academic resources, providing academic support as needed within capabilities and monitoring academic performance. Activities include one on one academic support meetings and tutoring sessions after or during school hours in group or individual settings including implementation of homework help programs.
College and Career Preparation:
Advising students on post-secondary options, assisting with college applications, resumes, and exploring career pathways. Advocates will also assist in implementation of planned career development events with students including career development days and annual LPP summer camp which focus on career and education exploration through interactive and engaging camps hosted at SUNY Polytechnic Institute.
Social-Emotional Support:
Addressing student concerns related to mental health with capabilities, family dynamics, or peer relationships, and making appropriate referrals when necessary. Organization and facilitation of social emotional groups including students to promote social emotional skill building may be required depending on district site.
Community Outreach:
Collaborating with local organizations to provide additional support services to students and families. Activities include attendance with community events for students and their families periodically.
Advocacy:
Representing student program progress at school-based meetings as needed, assisting in advocacy for necessary accommodations, and navigating school-based systems to ensure students receive appropriate support if necessary.
Important aspects of the role:
Communication skills:
Effectively communicating with students, parents, school staff, and community partners is essential. Effective collaboration with other LPP staff, teachers, external school support staff, and school counseling teams to coordinate student support services.
Cultural competency:
Ability to build rapport with diverse families and understand cultural considerations.
Time Management:
Effective management of time and schedule to meet established student goals and student engagement requirements as well as LPP staff responsibilities
Transportation:
Travel is required for both full-time and part-time positions to embedded school districts to provide programming and services.
Hourly rate: $20.19 - $21.63
Job Requirements:
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Bachelors of Arts or Science Degree; preferably in education, psychology, sociology, human services or related field with two years of relevant experience.
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Basic Computer Skills (Windows, Outlook, Word, Excel)
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Travel is required. Must have a valid NYS Driver's License.
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Competencies and experiences necessary include customer service orientation, diplomacy, diversity, flexibility, follow through, informing others, safety orientation, reliability and consistency, written communication and cooperation and teamwork, listening skill, optimism, quality orientation, analytical thinking.
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Applies and actively shares knowledge, expertise and best practices with team
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Behavior supports the mission, core values and objectives of the organization.
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Displays flexibility and openness in daily work and encourages others to stay open to change and improvement.
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Accepts and readily adapts to changing priorities, new ideas, strategies, procedures and methods.
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Demonstrates and promotes respect toward coworkers and adapts behaviors to work effectively with varying people and situations.
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Accumulates all relevant information prior to making job-related decisions; presents well-considered alternatives when making recommendations.
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Makes decisions in a timely manner.
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Represents the organization and its network of providers by displaying a respectful and caring manner with clients and their families
Candidates must address in their applications their ability to work with culturally diverse populations. This position is contingent on the satisfactory completion of a background check; this position may require annual background checks.
Additional Information:
Research Foundation for SUNY Polytechnic Institute offers exceptional benefits such as healthcare, dental, vision, pension plans, competitive pay, generous paid time off, tuition assistance, life insurance and long-term disability insurance.
As an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer, Research Foundation for SUNY will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, creed, religion, color, citizenship, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, predisposing genetic characteristics, gender identification or expression, genetic information, familial status, marital status, pregnancy, status as a domestic violence victim, criminal conviction, disability, military status, disabled veteran, recently separated veteran, Armed Forces Service Medal veteran, active duty or wartime campaign badge veteran, or other characteristic as protected by law. Please feel free to review your equal employment opportunities protections and laws pertaining to these protections at http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf
The Company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Research Foundation employees are subject to restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1. You will be asked to disclose any such participation at the time of hire for review by the Research Foundation. The full text of the Order may be found at: https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0486-1-border/@@images/file
