LGBTQ+ Education Coordinator

Our Open • Waltham, MA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

When you join The Home for Little Wanderers, you join a team of professionals dedicated to creating better, brighter futures for kids. For over 200 years, The Home for Little Wanderers has helped build stable lives and hopeful tomorrows for vulnerable children and their families. Our 25+ community-based and residential programs serve thousands of at-risk youths from birth to age 26. Many of these children have experienced abuse, neglect, trauma, or a disrupted family life. As the oldest child welfare agency in America, we provide them with safe surroundings, permanent loving relationships, and a secure path toward a better, brighter future. Under the direction of the Program Director, the Education Coordinator is responsible for coordinating with school placements to ensure they are meeting the educational and developmental needs of youth who have experienced complex early childhood trauma and/or who are living with mental health diagnoses. The position also works as a support to schools and the residential program around providing services in a way that is affirming to LGBTQ+ youth.

Requirements

• 1 year plus prior experience working with youth.
• HS diploma or equivalency.
• Experience working with youth or adolescents and groups in residential or community settings.
• Experience in leading teams of people and/or projects.
• Experience/exposure to IEP’s, 504 Plans, and or special education plans.
• Strong advocacy and communication skills.
• Trauma-informed lens.
• Computer literate, including Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer, with the ability to learn new software applications.
• Passing the CORI/background check and having a valid ID.
• Being physically active for an 8 hour shift.
• Participating in verbal de-escalation and physical intervention with youth.
• Multi-tasking in a changing and fast-paced treatment environment.
• Receiving and implement feedback in the moment and through a structured supervision process.

Nice To Haves

• B.A./B.S. in related human service field preferred.
• A passion for making a positive impact on the lives of kids.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Clinical Coordinator regarding youth mental health presentations and impact that may have on their educational needs
• Enroll youth in local school district with support from legal guardians.
• Coordinate enrollment process between school districts and caregivers/guardians
• Coordinate youth tours/interviews at therapeutic day school placements when applicable.
• Drive youth to and from tours & interviews (participating in both with youth)
• Create and independently implement educational day programming for all youth in program struggling with truancy.
• Directly supervise youth in staffing ratio.
• Attend all educational meetings including but not limited to special education eligibility hearings, Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) meetings, Best Interest Determination (BID) Meetings, suspension hearings, etc.
• Provide support to youth in completing schoolwork, including partnering with administrative team in order to create systems and structure for work completion and to support youth when they do not attend school
• Provide support in the group residential home setting
• May plan and participate in activities with clients/students on an individual and small group (less than 6) level in accordance with treatment plans and goals.
• Teach age appropriate life skills and social skills through modeling, counseling, and other techniques.
• Participate in groups and activities designed to enhance growth and development.
• Participate in off-campus recreational/educational activities
• Advocate for student’s social/emotional needs in an appropriate school setting
• Provide psychoeducation to school teams (when applicable) regarding how to create LGBTQ+ safe and affirming spaces and inclusive curriculums
• Communicate regularly with collaterals including parents, caregivers, legal guardians, Educational Surrogate Parents, The Department of Children & Families, and other providers regarding educational progresses, needs, and goals.
• Utilize organizational system to track daily school attendance, excused vs. non excused absences, school-related incidents, etc.
• Work within multidisciplinary team to collaborate on providing trauma informed care in a community-based setting
• Attend all-staff meetings including daily shift report, weekly Multidisciplinary Team Meeting (MDT, and monthly staff meeting (one late night 7-10pm per month)

Benefits

• Health, Vision and Dental Insurance are available
• Generous time off including up to 15 days per year for new full-time employees, plus 11 holidays, and 5 sick days
• Extensive training to new staff
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $3,000 per fiscal year
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with employer match
• Employer paid Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance, plus Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• And more!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED