Education Specialist

JOB TITLE:
Education Specialist (Residential)
DEPARTMENT: Education and Parent Support Services
LOCATION: Brooklyn/Queens/Brentwood

REPORTS TO:Forward Journey Coach Supervisor
SUPERVISES:N/A

Key program components include:

• Community-based
  - Staff meet youth wherever is best for them (home, school, community).
• Systemic approach- incorporates multiple aspects of the child/youth’s natural ecology (community, peers, family, school).
• Comprehensive- addressing the full range of a child/youth’s needs and goals (academic, career, housing, relationships).

Education Specialists duties will include, but not be limited to:

Overall

• Register all new intakes and ensure they are placed in the most appropriate school setting and have the necessary educational tools to perform to the best of their ability.
• Build relationships with youth and provide ongoing social and emotional support.
• Maintain primary school, connect child to quality schools, programs, resources when a change in school is needed and ensure a seamless transition.
• Visit child/youth’s school as needed and build relationships with school staff, review transcripts and academic data, provide educational advocacy, and discuss progress.
• Ensure children/youth are attending school and have the supports and resources they need to be successful, such as tutoring, individualized educational plans, 504 Plans, or other special accommodations.
• Work 1:1 with youth to develop individualized academic and career development goals (including financial literacy) based on their interests and strengths and take measurable steps towards their goals.
• Connect youth to quality schools, programs, resources, and opportunities in line with their goals.
• Help youth succeed in these settings, navigate any challenges that arise, celebrate success, and plan/prepare for the next step on their journey.
• Collaborate with Case Planners, Tutors, Specialists, Residential Team, and Parents, as needed, to help youth achieve their goals and ensure their overall well-being.
• Connect youth to Peer Group supports and build positive relationships.
• Transport youth to/from school when necessary
• Complete all necessary data entry systems (ex: progress notes and education tabs in connections, ASARA, etc)
• Facilitate My Journey Groups for youth
• Attend and complete all Fair Futures trainings. Input child information into all required data platforms and systems.
• Other tasks as assigned by Supervisor.

Career Development:

• Assist youth working papers, if needed.
• Conduct career exploration activities with youth.
• Assist ALL youth to select at least one career development experience each year that is in line with their interests and academic situation/background.
• Work with the young person and Career Development Specialist to identify potential longer-term career pathways based on the young person’s interests, strengths, and academic/vocational plans.
• Connect youth to the Career Development Specialist, if needed, to explore workforce development programs, vocational programs, and for assistance with job applications.
• Connect youth, as needed, to agency-based job readiness and/or internship programs (e.g., YA WORC or the Mentored Internship Program).
• Provide persistence coaching to young people enrolled in any external program by checking in with them regularly.

Housing & Independent Living:

• Coordinate with housing specialist to ensure youth submit housing applications (by age 18 when appropriate)
• Accompany the youth to interviews and visit housing options, when needed.
• Assist youth with obtaining furniture, support through the move in process, and provide continued support with housing stability.

Education/Degree:
Bachelor’s Degree;
Extensive experience working with youth.

Other skills and requirements:

• Experience in Education and Foster Care (preferred)
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, a strong sense of empathy towards our populations served, and a passion for the field of child welfare.
• Ability to respond to the unique developmental needs of children in different stages of maturation including early childhood, school age, or young adulthood.
• Ability to work with parents and…