Senior Education Specialist (EFFC)

Good Shepherd Services•Bronx, NY

23h•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Educational Specialist maintains an active caseload and performs the core responsibilities of an Education Specialist while providing coordination, guidance, and support to the Education Team. The role supports onboarding and training for new Education Specialists through shadowing and coaching during school visits and educational meetings, and assists with Connections, education tabs, and progress-note documentation. The Senior Educational Specialist supports the Education Supervisor in developing and monitoring team-wide trackers for educational processes and deadlines, including preschool, Summer Rising, middle school, and high school applications. The role tracks tutoring services and referrals, consolidates team reinvestment logs, assists with coverage needs, and co-facilitates trainings. As a resource to the team and leadership, the position promotes organization, consistency, accountability, and high-quality educational advocacy while supporting compliance with educational mandates and agency expectations. The position also reviews intakes and developmental or psychological evaluations; supports families and case-planning teams with special education and early-intervention processes; monitors referrals and evaluations; liaises with schools and guardians; attends relevant meetings and trainings; maintains records and progress notes; and advocates for youth’s access to educational services. Staff are expected to support Good Shepherd Services’ mission, vision, and values, participate in quality improvement, and work in a culturally diverse environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
At least 2 years of education experience.
Solid knowledge of the NYC public school system, including education resources, children’s rights, and DOE regulations and procedures.
Experience with special education and early intervention.
Ability to be flexible to meet the demands of youth in care.
Ability to work as part of a team and with multiple people.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Word and Excel.
Excellent written, communication, and organizational skills.
Commitment to working from a strength-based and/or youth and family development perspective.

Nice To Haves

At least 2 years as a Fair Futures Coach or in an equivalent role within a foster care or youth services program is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Maintain an active caseload and perform the core responsibilities of an Education Specialist.
Support onboarding and training of new Education Specialists through shadowing, coaching, and guidance during school visits and educational meetings.
Assist Education Specialists with Connections, education tabs, and progress-note documentation.
Support the Education Supervisor in developing, maintaining, and monitoring team-wide trackers for educational processes and deadlines, including preschool, Summer Rising, middle school, and high school applications.
Monitor and track tutoring services and referrals across the Education Team.
Compile team reinvestment logs into a comprehensive, accurate, up-to-date log for submission to the Education Supervisor and Director.
Help Education Specialists arrange coverage when scheduling conflicts, overlapping caseload demands, or other support needs arise.
Co-facilitate trainings for Education Specialists and other relevant staff on educational processes, procedures, best practices, and related topics.
Troubleshoot barriers, share best practices, and promote consistent educational advocacy and service delivery across the team.
Review new intakes and psychological screenings or evaluations for the assigned age group to ensure developmental and educational concerns are addressed.
Assist parents, guardians, and case-planning teams with initiating Individualized Education Plan evaluation processes.
Submit and monitor referrals and evaluations for special education and early-intervention services.
Provide ongoing support and training to foster parents, parents, and case-planning teams regarding education for youth in foster care.
Serve as the agency liaison for school staff and guardians.
Attend and represent the special services team at mandatory agency and ACS trainings and NYC DOE trainings to remain current on policies and procedures.
Maintain professional boundaries with youth, foster parents, parents, and staff.
Keep case records and education data current and filed in the appropriate case-record sections; document progress notes in Connections and ensure service documentation is obtained and filed appropriately.
Use a strength-based approach and promote and model the seven Sanctuary Model commitments to create a non-violent, trauma-sensitive culture.
Communicate with foster parents and parents about youths’ educational or developmental needs and their communication with school or early-intervention personnel.
Attend and participate in IEP and Turning 5 meetings.
Work with Advocates for Children and other outside organizations when legal or other advocacy is needed to secure a child’s eligibility for and access to special education services.
Work with parents and foster parents to ensure they understand the child’s educational needs and are engaged with the School Based Support Team (SBST).
Generate statistics and outcome information on education issues as required.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Participate in quality improvement activities and work within a culturally diverse environment in support of the agency’s mission, vision, and values.