Education & Life Skills Specialist

Wedgwood Christian Services • Grand Rapids, MI

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Life Skills & Education Specialist is responsible for providing daily care, education and life skills support, and supervision to residents in the Unaccompanied Minor program. This role involves collaborating with clinicians, coordinating educational records, supervising administrative support, encouraging student participation, and acting as a liaison between school personnel and program staff. The specialist will also serve as a positive role model, provide information on post-secondary educational opportunities, conduct life skills training, and ensure awareness of clients' rights and responsibilities. Additionally, the role includes conducting assessments, maintaining records, facilitating life skills activities, attending team meetings, assisting other staff during shortages or crises, and ensuring Quality Assurance compliance.

Requirements

• Meets all qualifications as described in the Youth Treatment Specialist job description.
• Bi-lingual in English and Spanish.
• Must be 21 years of age.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Must have a valid driver's license.
• Federally funded program requiring the following vaccinations: Varicella (two doses or immunity verification), MMR (two doses or immunity verification), DTaP or DTap (primary series plus adult dose if needed), Influenza (single dose annually).
• Subscription to the Statement of Faith of Wedgwood Christian Services and agreement with the goal, purpose, and objectives of the agency.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience working with youth in a classroom or life skill setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily care, education, life skills support, and supervision to residents in the Unaccompanied Minor program.
• Collaborate with clinicians on client education needs and program changes.
• Coordinate with clinicians for the distribution of school records.
• Provide supervision, evaluation, and consultation to the Education Administrative Assistant.
• Support and encourage students to positively participate and complete all school tasks.
• Meet daily with the teacher(s) to serve as a communication link between school personnel and program staff.
• Report on education issues at team meetings, providing advocacy and support.
• Serve as a positive role-model to youth and cultivate an environment that promotes high self-esteem.
• Provide post-secondary educational opportunities and information, including college/vocational school applications and financial aid.
• Provide at least weekly four hours of daily living skills trainings (budgeting, banking, public transportation, credit maintenance, social/socio-sexual skills, community involvement, etiquette, interpersonal relationships, networking, job searching).
• Cultivate an environment with an awareness of clients' rights and responsibilities for the program and for U.S. laws and norms.
• Conduct initial, quarterly, and post assessments on independent living skills for each youth.
• Maintain accurate records of youths' attendance and participation, reporting details to the assigned case worker.
• Facilitate life skills activities to improve skills necessary for living independently (conflict resolutions, anger management, medication management, tutoring).
• Attend necessary team meetings for education and residential.
• Be available to assist other YTS staff in the event of shortage and/or crisis.
• Express ideas, suggestions, and concerns in a timely and appropriate manner, using established channels.
• Responsible for timely Quality Assurance compliance as related to employee's roles and functions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 403b Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Medical plans with great coverage options
• Free supplemental virtual PCP care with medical plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts
• Dental and vision plans
• Pet insurance
• Legal insurance
• A Locally Partnered Employee Assistance Program
• Competitive paid time off
• Direct deposit
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness through PSLF
• Paid Holidays
• Short term disability (employer paid for full time staff)
• Long term disability (employer paid for full time staff)
• Life insurance up to 2x your annual salary (employer paid for full time staff)
• No-cost, employer paid training and re-certification provided to staff
• No-cost access to a full gymnasium with an attached 24hr wellness center
• Eligible for application and tuition fee discounts for several local colleges and universities through community partnerships.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level