Community Navigator

The Educational Alliance Inc.•New York, NY

About The Position

Educational Alliance brings together and partners with diverse communities in Lower Manhattan, offering individuals and families high-quality, multi-generational programs and services that enhance their well-being and their socioeconomic opportunities. We are a place where everyone is welcome and where progress is powered one relationship at a time. We are proud of our legacy as a Jewish organization and we provide high-quality, transformational services and programs to all New Yorkers through our network of community centers on Manhattan’s Lower East Side and East Village. As we have for 130 years, we offer best-in-class programming–now across 15 sites—focusing on a mix of education, health and wellness, arts and culture, and civic engagement. Educational Alliance’s Community Schools & Youth Development (CSYD) department plays an integral role in delivering high-quality youth development programming throughout the Lower East Side with services embedded in the school day, afterschool programs, and summer enrichment opportunities. In partnership with PS 64, PS 142, PS/MS 140, TSMS, and PS/MS 188, CSYD collaborates with the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD), NYC Office of Community Schools (OCS), The Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), and of course, our incredible local school communities, to continue to respond to the needs of young people and their families during the best and worst of times. We are seeking a Community Navigator who will work within our Community Schools programs to assist families seeking asylum by collaborating with important stakeholders such as directors, school teams, parents, social workers, shelter staff, and various organizations. This position emphasizes creating tailored family engagement plans to enhance family sustainability and boost academic, personal, and social results, in line with CSYD’s objectives.

Requirements

High School diploma/equivalency preferred.
Bilingual English/Spanish required.
Knowledge and experience in public benefit application process and resources.
Experience in outreach, marketing, parent councils, and school-based settings required.
Demonstrated knowledge of community resources for individuals and families.
Ability to interact with families of diverse religious, cultural and social backgrounds required.
Knowledge of risk factors experienced by families including homelessness, intimate partner violence, and substance abuse.
Strong interpersonal skills and written & verbal communication skills required.
Ability to multitask and handle challenging situations in a professional and courteous manner.
Excellent organizational and follow-up skills are essential for this position.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and information and operate in a deadline-driven environment.
Willingness to work as part of a team.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with the Lower Manhattan and MCC community preferred.

Responsibilities

Work with CSYD and school staff to identify families in need of assistance.
Maintain inventories of resource hubs supplies, work with community partners to obtain donations, and schedule family visits to each hub.
Following the completion of training, provide in-depth information to families and recommend appropriate benefit resources to clients such as housing, SNAP benefits, WIC, cash assistance, medical insurance, social security and more.
Assist families with obtaining needed supports to keep their children engaged at school.
Inform CSYD staff of family and student characteristics and needs to promote students’ academic engagement.
Provide in-depth information about FRC services and supports to family members.
Provide routine follow-up with shelters and other collateral organizations for the purpose of reciprocal information sharing.
Engage in ongoing dialogue with FRC team to evaluate effectiveness and accessibility of services and supports offered.
Keep up to date on city policies and employment and housing options for asylum families.
Complete and maintain documentation in a timely manner.
Attend staff meetings and trainings as required by supervisor.
Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.