Incarcerated Youth Instructional Assistant

JOB LOCATIONS:
Incarcerated Youth Programs located at either the Columbia, Montour, Northumberland and Union County Jails.

JOB ASSIGNMENT:
Incarcerated Youth Program (ICYP)

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:
Educational Program Supervisor and in their absence to the Director of Special Education and Alternative Placement or the Chief Academic Officer / Assistant Executive Director. Receives input from the Incarcerated Youth Program Case Manager.

JOB DEFINITION:
The primary role of the Incarcerated Youth Instructional Assistant supports educational opportunities for incarcerated youth 18-21 years of age in Juvenile in Adult Facilities (JIAF) in the local county prisons. This position is responsible for supporting learning opportunities for incarcerated students by facilitating access to academics for students referred to the Incarcerated Youth Program. This position monitors each student's cyber programming, communicates and facilitates the daily schedule with online learning educators, the ICPY Case Manager, and Local Education Agency (LEA), and documents progress for each student.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

* Provides coaching, pacing, and goal setting related to academics to students enrolled in the ICYP.

* Provided direct support to student inmates while they utilize an online curriculum.

* Coordinate Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and 504 revisions, programming, and progress monitoring in conjunction with the home district.

* Collaborate with LEAs, school social workers, program supervisors, and other stakeholders on progress and support for students enrolled in the Incarcerated Youth Program (ICYP).

* Communicate with external providers working with students, as well as the cyber teachers of each of their courses.

* Maintain a positive climate and relationships with students enrolled in ICYP.

* Facilitate the entry and discharge process for students by notifying the IY Case Manager regarding inmate releases.

* Help build behavior and academic momentum by reinforcing appropriate behaviors that increase learning and interactions.

* Enroll or extend students' cyber courses, dependent on progress made, while ensuring alignment with graduation pathways under Act 158 and district requirements.

* Update the IY Case Manager and IY Administrative Assistant on all Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS needed/requested information.

* Assist in the coordination PIMS student course selections to align with both individual graduation pathways and district academic requirements, ensuring compliance with state and local educational standards.

* Oversee program effectiveness by tracking student progress, identifying areas for improvement, and recommending necessary adjustments to instructional and support strategies.

* Consult with IY Case Manager and program supervisor on the needs of students in the ICYP program with IEPs and 504 Service Plans.

* Collaborate with county jail staff, children and youth, and county mental health for student service coordination as needed.

NON
- ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Performs other related services or duties as assigned by the Program supervisor or designee.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND

SKILLS REQUIRED:

* A High School Diploma or equivalent General Education Diploma (GED) is required.

* The attainment of the Special Education Competency Assessment checklist (as approved by the immediate supervisor) within the first 90 working days of initial employment start date is required to remain in this position.

* Prior youth supervision experience is preferred.

* Ability to collaborate with professionals in school systems and county incarceration facilities.

* Knowledge and skills related to cyber or virtual environments, grading, pacing, and content preferred.

* An understanding of trauma and adverse experiences and overcoming adversity.

* Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate and work effectively with colleagues, co-workers, community agency personnel, and students/trainees.

* Excellent human relations and interpersonal skills.

* Computer experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, artificial intelligence, data entry, email, and experience managing file sharing with Google Drive preferred.

* Adept at using virtual meeting platforms such as Skype, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams.

* Ability to acquire and apply new knowledge quickly.

* Able to sustain effort and enthusiasm in the quality of work.

* Requires the ability to develop and maintain positive and collaborative relationships using tact and diplomacy and to remain calm in unpredictable situations.

* Effective time management, organizational skills, and prioritization of work to meet the needs of the users.

* Maintain confidentiality regarding education programs, students, and parents at all times, adhering to the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requirements to protect staff and student data.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS:

* Participate in workshops/seminars to increase…