Education Specialist Social Worker

Wellspring Lutheran Services•Livonia, MI

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Wellspring Lutheran Services is seeking an Education Specialist for its New Directions team in Livonia. New Directions is a trauma-informed residential program serving youth with developmental disabilities and co-occurring emotional and behavioral challenges. The Education Specialist bridges education, treatment, and residential care by advocating for youth, coordinating educational services, supporting academic success, and collaborating with schools, therapists, residential staff, psychiatrists, families, teachers, and community partners. The role supports young people in accessing educational resources and services, transitioning into educational settings, overcoming barriers, building confidence, and working toward individual goals. Support may include tutoring, individual assistance, educational programming, life-skills development, vocational support, and advocacy. The position involves work on campus and in community school settings, with participation in meetings, treatment planning, and community-based activities. This is a full-time position with a primarily daytime schedule aligned with school and program needs, and occasional evening flexibility as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in education, social work, or a related human services field.
Experience working with youth who have developmental disabilities, emotional impairments, behavioral challenges, or special education needs.
Experience working with youth who have experienced trauma, loss, or significant life challenges.
Strong communication, advocacy, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to collaborate effectively with schools, families, and multidisciplinary teams.
Access to reliable transportation and ability to travel within the community as needed.
Commitment to trauma-informed, youth-centered care.
Ability to manage multiple priorities with organization and adaptability.

Responsibilities

Advocate for youth and help ensure access to the resources, services, and support needed for educational success.
Coordinate educational services and work with schools, special education programs, vocational services, and community partners.
Support youth transitions into new educational settings, celebrate academic progress, and help them overcome obstacles.
Collaborate with therapists, residential staff, psychiatrists, families, and teachers to integrate educational goals into treatment and growth plans.
Identify barriers to success and develop strategies to keep youth engaged and motivated.
Provide individual support, tutoring, educational programming, life-skills development, and advocacy.
Attend IEP and school meetings, communicate with teachers, and participate in team meetings and treatment planning.
Support vocational goals, develop summer programming, and participate in community-based activities.