Educational Specialist

ABBOTT HOUSE•Village of Irvington, NY

1d•$59,000 - $61,000

About The Position

The Education Specialist works with up to 25 students at a time. The Specialist provides educational advocacy, conducts academic performance monitoring, and makes referrals to quality tutoring and extracurricular activities. The Education Specialist also provides individualized assistance with middle school processes to all 5th grade students and their families. To be qualified for the EDUCATION SPECIALIST, you must be able to perform the essential job functions described below without reasonable accommodations. A reasonable accommodation is any change in the work environment or in the way things are usually done that results in equal employment opportunity for an individual with a disability and does not create an undue hardship for the agency.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree and at least two years of education-related experience in an instructional, administrative, or advocacy-related position.
Ability to navigate complex educational issues, be resourceful, and work independently
Ability to organize time and prioritize responsibilities in order to plan and carry out all duties
Ability to effectively collaborate in team settings and build relationships with external partners
Tenacious, independent, and resourceful
Proactive
Can follow detailed procedures
Engaging, strength-based, and collaborative
A love for working with children, youth, and families
Excellent interpersonal skills and easily builds relationships with children, families, and school partners
Values and promotes diversity
Able to remain calm during moments of tension and stress
The Education Specialist must be able to use a computer and able to learn software programs
The Education Specialist is required to operate a fax, copier, scan, and other office equipment.
The Education Specialist needs to be able to speak, read and write fluently in the English language
The Education Specialist must be able to write in the English language using correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with students and families in foster care is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Work with up to 25 students and their families, providing educational advocacy and ensuring students are receiving the supports/services they need to succeed.
Build and maintain collaborative relationships with schools; provide advocacy on behalf of students; Assist youth with goals pertaining to College, Career Development and Housing.
Learn and implement Fair Futures system and log notes in Care 4 system.
Work with Case Planner, foster parent, birth parent/caregiver and tutor to address educational concerns; Request that the school make referrals for IEP evaluations and behavioral/academic supports within the school; Negotiate with DOE staff to ensure the implementation of recommended and appropriate educational services; Negotiate with ACCESS VR counselors for appropriate services; Ensure school stability if a student is relocating homes, in consultation with the Case Planner and parent.
Monitor the academic performance of all students.
Collect, review, and track NYC DOE monthly data on attendance, grades, promotion status, school enrollment, tutoring history, transcripts, etc.; Use data to identify struggling students; Work with Case Planners and parents to ensure improved attendance, and/or provide additional academic supports.
Provide individualized assistance to all 5th grade students with the middle school selection process as well.
Refer all students to in-home, quality tutoring; connect students to afterschool and summer extracurricular activities.
Meet with young people interested in college to have an exploratory and informational session, after that are referred by their Coach, and discuss what that roadmap/timeline would look like for them at their particular high school or HSE program.
Monitor Pre-SAT/SAT scores of those students who do take them, and meet with them to discuss/refine college options.
Organize college tours.
Help young people apply to colleges in line with their interests, preferences and performance.
Assist students with their college essays and personal statements, where needed.
Review any college applications or financial aid forms filled out by the student’s school/guidance counselor to ensure they are correct.
Sit down with students and help them apply to FAFSA, TAP, ETV and all applicable scholarships including reviewing their essays and helping with letters of reference.
Ensure that students apply to any Opportunity Programs available to them.
Ensure students are signed up for any entrance interviews/exams.
Fill out all the required paperwork for the College Dorm Project and Foster Care Room & Board, if applicable.
Reach out to students to ensure they are enrolled in the proper classes each semester, and assist with enrollment, if needed.
Help young people reapply to all forms of financial aid and scholarships each year.
Assist students with transferring to colleges, if needed.
The Specialist offers both long-term individualized interventions for students with complex or ongoing educational needs and targeted short-term supports to ensure that every student has access to a particular service or opportunity.
The Specialist should secure representation for the student who is receiving the suspension.
The Specialist advocates for students to receive the most appropriate services available.
The Specialist request a referral from the school for students to receive a special education evaluation if it is believed that the student may benefit from additional services in school.
Specialists assist in developing an IEP that focuses on the best interest of the student as well as ensure that students are receiving the services they need to be successful