The Vermont School Counselor Association (VTSCA) expands the image and influence of professional school counselors through advocacy, leadership, collaboration and systemic change. VTSCA empowers professional school counselors with the knowledge, skills, linkages, and resources to promote student success in the school, the home, the community, and the world. VTSCA is the chartered state division of the American School Counselor Association.

Hiring Part Time Executive Director

Remote Work-Flexible Schedule

VTSCA RFP FOR PART-TIME EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - MARCH 2023

The Vermont School Counselor Association (VTSCA) is seeking a part-time Executive Director to support the organization with advocacy, organizational and financial management support beginning in June 2023.
 

The Vermont School Counselor Association is a private, non-profit representing school counselors, counseling directors, supervisors, counselor educators, graduate students, and other individuals involved in related activities who have an impact on a student's success and well-being at school, work and home. Founded in 1992, VTSCA’s membership includes approximately 430 Vermont school counselors. Our 5-year historical annual budget is between $20,000 and $25,000 and we are growing due to a recent generous capacity-building grant from the McClure and Vermont Community Foundations. VTSCA is a chartered state division of the American School Counselor Association.

VTSCA expands the image and influence of professional school counselors through advocacy, leadership, collaboration and systemic change. VTSCA empowers professional school counselors with the knowledge, skills, linkages, and resources to promote student success in the school, the home, the community, and the world. VTSCA believes: 

• School counselors deliver comprehensive school counseling programs which are essential for all students, K-12, in schools throughout Vermont.

• School counselors are essential in promoting the academic, career and personal/social and emotional learning and development of all students in Vermont.

• Collaboration, advocacy and professional development help school counselors to best serve their profession and school communities.

• School counselors advocate and promote equity for every student through the application of the ASCA National Model and the Vermont Comprehensive Model.

The role is structured as an independent contractor and we estimate the work to average part-time work on a weekly basis from July 2023 to June 2024. There may be an opportunity to extend or renew/modify/expand the contractor’s  contract in the spring of 2024 depending on VTSCA’s organizational needs. VTSCA is working with other contractors to support event planning and financial services work.

Scope of Work

Advocacy and Program Support

• Assist VTSCA in implementing the Vermont Comprehensive School Counseling Model

• Develop a strategic project plan to advance the Vermont Comprehensive School Counseling Model and serve as a resource to school districts using the Model

• Develop a state legislative priority setting process for VTSCA. Implement and monitor the progress of legislative priorities during the Vermont legislative session. 

• Partner with ASCA on federal advocacy opportunities and efforts. 

• Advocate for the school counselor profession in the Vermont legislature and larger education community. 

• Assist the VTSCA professional development committee in coordinating professional development opportunities for members

• Support VTSCA in increasing its collaboration with education partners who are leaders in diversity, equity and inclusion work

• Serve as a liaison to VTSCA partner organizations 

Administrative and Organization Management 

• Serve as main contact for organization 

• Support the board’s implementation of the VTSCA’s strategic plan (2022-2026) and grant reporting requirements

• Support board members and committee chairs with administrative duties 

• Coordinate communication work, including newsletters, social media, website updates, and press releases

• Organize and maintain an archive of all VTSCA organizational files

Financial Management 

• Manage membership renewal process including processing, database administration, and communicating with prospective members

• Support the Membership Chair in recruiting new and lapsed members 

• Support the Treasurer and accountant in fiscal management of the organization

Skills and Experience
The ideal contractor offers the following skills and experience:

1. A minimum of 2 years relevant experience of administrative or program support.

2. A self-starter motivated by the mission of VTSCA and a commitment to advocating for public education and school counseling.

3. A motivator, strategic thinker, and strong communicator. A person who values feedback and handles conflict well. An organized person who excels with follow through. 

4. Experience creating and supporting communication systems, and managing administrative functions of an organization. 

5. Working knowledge of the Vermont public education system.

6. Experience with supporting an all-volunteer led organization.

7. Ability to effectively work remotely and in an independent environment.

8. Experience with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) work in an educational setting and familiarity with existing DEI education leaders in Vermont preferred.

9. Experience with membership associations related to public education professionals preferred.

10. Advocacy experience and working knowledge of the Vermont legislative process and Agency of Education preferred.

11. Familiarity and/or expertise with association management, Google account management, Google document management, Zoom, and website software (VTSCA currently leverages Wild Apricot, a Personify brand) preferred.

Proposal Requirements

1. A summary of your approach to the scope of work.

2. A fee structure. The budget for this work is $18,000-$22,000.

3. A list of 3 relevant clients along with a short summary of services provided.

4. A list of 2 client professional references. 

5. Submit a proposal electronically to Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, EMStrategies, emma@emstrategiesvt.com by April 20th, 2023.

6. Late proposals will not be considered.

Interviews will occur via Zoom in May 2023. Final decisions will be made to all applicants by June 2023 and the ideal start date is July 1, 2023.