Education Advocate

MCJC•Dayton, OH

About The Position

The Education Advocate works in the Intervention Center of the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Juvenile Division, conducting administrative hearings and participating in multidisciplinary team meetings to address family needs, with a primary focus on school attendance, performance, and educational programming. The position manages habitual truancy cases involving parents and/or juveniles; maintains case documentation; administers sanctions; makes referrals to treatment and community services; and presents case information and recommendations in Court. The role requires sustained case management and family involvement. The employee is an at-will employee serving at the pleasure of the Administrative Judge. The Education Advocate reviews truancy referrals, coordinates with schools and service providers, identifies barriers, develops case plans, and monitors compliance with meeting plans, agency services, and Court orders. The position conducts school, home, and community visits and uses Motivational Interviewing and cognitive behavioral interventions to engage families. Employees are cross-trained in several Intervention Center roles and may provide shift coverage as needed. The position has no supervisory responsibilities and requires unarmed self-defense qualification every two years and CPR and First Aid certification.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social work, education, psychology, sociology, criminal justice, or a related field.
At least 2 years of related experience.
Ability to pass a criminal background check.
State Motor Vehicle Operator’s License and valid car insurance.
Ability to document identity and employment eligibility within three days of original appointment.
Knowledge of school law, juvenile special educational needs, Court procedures, community social service agencies and programs, counseling, social work, corrections, House Bill 410 and other educational guidelines, and crisis intervention.
Ability to relate to people from varying socioeconomic backgrounds; maintain current knowledge of relevant changes in law, school policies, and procedures; work independently; exercise sound judgment when making recommendations; establish effective work relationships; work with resistant clients; and maintain confidentiality.
Skills in assessing needs and developing case plans, verbal and written communication, mediation, cognitive behavioral interventions, compiling and presenting reports, data entry, and computer operation.
Physical ability to have contact with people, including restraining juveniles engaged in violent or turbulent behavior, and to lift, drag, push, or pull at least 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

LSW and/or an educational background preferred.

Responsibilities

Review and process new truancy and attendance referrals for adults and juveniles.
Contact school personnel and other involved parties to gather information and enter statistics into a database.
Manage and oversee a specialized caseload involving habitual truancy.
Coordinate and conduct administrative hearings and multidisciplinary team meetings with Court staff, school representatives, mental health providers, Children Services Division caseworkers, and social service providers.
Identify barriers affecting families and juveniles, address needs, and develop case plans.
Ensure parents and juveniles comply with unofficial orders, multidisciplinary meeting case plans, community agency services, and official Court orders.
Supervise and monitor educational attendance to ensure compliance with Ohio compulsory education laws.
Document and maintain case management information and prepare informal and formal reports for Court handling.
Present case details, reports, and recommendations to the Judge or Magistrate in formal Court hearings.
Use creative problem-solving in unusual needs or crisis situations and engage and motivate parents and juveniles through Motivational Interviewing and CBT interventions.
Conduct school, home, and community visits and establish community outreach services to assist families.
Cross-train in the duties of Case Processing Specialist, Receiving Specialist, and Assessment Specialist and provide shift coverage as needed.
Qualify in unarmed self-defense training biannually and obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid certification.