Advisor - US Student Government in Dorchester, Massachusetts at Codman Academy Charter School

Student Government Advisor

Encore Department

Supervisor: Encore Director

Meeting Times: Mondays & Wednesdays, 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM

Position Type: Part-Time, Semester Contract

Hours: Approximately 2 instructional hours per week plus planning and coordination time

Compensation: $800 for remainder of current semester, $1,500 for full 2027 spring semester.

Codman Academy seeks a dedicated and student-centered Student Government Advisor to guide and support the school's student government program. This role is part of the Encore Department and is designed to help students build leadership, organizing, and civic engagement skills through student-run events, student-led initiatives, and wider community engagement.

The advisor will meet with student government twice weekly (Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:15–4:15 PM), supporting students as they plan, organize, and lead activities that strengthen school culture and student voice. This is not a lecture-based course — it is an advisory role grounded in mentorship, student ownership, and hands-on leadership development.

This role reports to the Encore Director and coordinates with Encore and school staff for logistics, event scheduling, and student support.

Student Government Advising & Leadership Development

• Meet with student government twice weekly to support planning, decision-making, and follow-through on student-led work.

• Coach students in leadership skills such as public speaking, meeting facilitation, consensus-building, and project management.

• Help students identify goals, set agendas, and reflect on the outcomes of their initiatives.

• Maintain a supportive, structured, and high-expectation environment that encourages student voice and shared leadership.

Student-Run Events & Student-Led Initiatives

• Support students in planning and executing student-run events (assemblies, spirit days, fundraisers, celebrations, and similar activities).

• Guide students through the full arc of an initiative — from idea generation to logistics, promotion, execution, and debrief.

• Help students problem-solve logistical, budgetary, and scheduling challenges as they arise.

• Ensure student-led events and initiatives align with school policies, values, and safety expectations.

Community Engagement

• Help student government identify opportunities to engage with the wider school and local community.

• Support students in building partnerships or projects that connect student government work to community needs and interests.

• Coordinate with the Encore Director on any community partners, guests, or off-campus engagement involved in student initiatives.

Student Engagement & Support

• Build relationships with students that foster confidence, accountability, and a sense of ownership over school culture.

• Differentiate support for multilingual learners, students with IEPs, and students with varied experience levels in leadership roles.

• Communicate proactively with the Encore Director about student engagement, attendance, and any concerns.

• Collaborate with the School Support Team (SST) and Special Education staff as needed to ensure all students can fully participate.

Data & Reporting

• Track student attendance and participation for each meeting and submit records as directed.

• Document key initiatives, events, and outcomes for Encore Department reporting and storytelling.

• Contribute brief reflections or highlights on student government activities each semester.

Required

• Experience in youth leadership development, student activities advising, community organizing, or a closely related field — OR experience teaching or facilitating leadership programs in a school or youth program setting.

• Genuine enthusiasm for working with middle and/or high school students and supporting student-driven leadership.

• Ability to facilitate engaging, structured meetings and coach students through independent project work without relying solely on lecture.

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with students, families, and colleagues.

• Reliability, organization, and the ability to plan and document sessions independently.

• Commitment to equity and culturally responsive practice.

Preferred

• Direct experience advising student government, student council, or similar leadership organizations.

• Experience facilitating event planning, mentorship, or youth development programs.

• Familiarity with adolescent developmental needs and classroom/group management strategies.

• Knowledge of community organizing or civic engagement practices.

• Multilingual abilities — Spanish, Haitian Creole, or other languages spoken by Codman families.

• Connections to community organizations or partners willing to support student-led initiatives.

• Sessions take place at Codman Academy's campus in Dorchester/Boston.

• Occasional coordination with Encore staff outside of session times (email, brief check-ins).

• Event logistics beyond the classroom (venue, budget approval, safety planning) are managed in partnership with the Encore Director — the advisor is not expected to manage these independently.

• Participation in a brief orientation session at the start of the term and an end-of-semester debrief.

At Codman Academy, we believe the world is our classroom. As a Student Government Advisor, you will help students build the confidence, voice, and organizing skills to shape their own school community — often for the first time. This is formative work. You will meet students at a critical moment in their leadership development and help them see themselves as changemakers.

Codman Academy is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks candidates who reflect the diversity of our student community.

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and references detailing their experience and commitment to Codman Academy's mission. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.