Teacher Counselor

Cambridge Housing Authority•Cambridge, MA

8d•$0 - $39•Hybrid

About The Position

The Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) is seeking a qualified and highly motivated candidate for the position of Work Force Teacher / Counselor. This role is within the Resident Services Department and reports to the Work Force Director. The primary purpose of this position is to provide comprehensive social services to the CHA’s youth population, focusing on increasing their employability, self-esteem, understanding of economic independence, and decision-making abilities. The Teacher/Counselor will perform classroom instruction, individual counseling, and case management functions, all in support of the CHA’s strategic goals and the objectives of the Resident Services Department.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree with course work in education, school guidance counseling, social work or a related field.
Strong computer skills (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access, and MS Outlook).
Demonstrated experience in the delivery of youth services and in the delivery of services in low-income, multi-cultural communities
Strong skills in counseling and/or teaching
Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with adolescents, their families, school personnel and staff of other agencies

Nice To Haves

Formal training in the areas mentioned above is strong preferred.
Ability to learn other computer software programs may be required by assigned tasks.

Responsibilities

Recruits program participants, including solicitation of referrals from CHA site managers and public school personnel of CHA youth who are chronically truant, dealing with domestic or personal problems, having problems with academic performance or performing adequately but are in need of additional educational support to achieve full academic potential
Assesses client needs and develops service plans
Maintains regular and frequent in-person contact with parents of participants
Assists in placement of participants in appropriate program levels and work sites
Establishes priorities for service delivery and, as needed, maintains the waiting list
Develops lesson plans and teaches life skills and job readiness classes
Conducts periodic assessments of participant progress for evaluative purposes
Provides case management services to all participants, in close collaboration with the Job Developer
Maintains close relationships with parents of program participants, assists them in dealing with school-related issues and orienting them to issues involved in post-secondary education
Maintains working relationships with key administrative and guidance personnel, teachers in Cambridge Public Schools and with admissions personnel at post-secondary educational institutions
Maintains a resource file for all local educational and social service support programs, including local public school resources and those available through other agencies
Obtains permission from parents/guardians (or students, when necessary) to access school records on all Work Force participants, gather information on school attendance and performance information on all Work Force enrollees on a regular basis and shares information on a timely basis with Job Developer
Promotes access to higher education by maintaining relationships with local and out-of-state colleges, universities and other post-secondary educational institutions, arranging and attending campus tours, planning and directing college fairs and educational seminars and assisting Work Force participants with applications for admissions and financial aid
Assists in the recruitment, placement and supervision of Homework Center Coordinators and Volunteer Tutors for all three Homework Centers
Collaborates and works closely with the Cambridge Office of Workforce Development to help develop and promote vocational / educational opportunities for Cambridge youth
Maintains case files on all participants
Performs other related duties as assigned