Job Details

Job Location: Childrens Services (Foster Care Manhattan) - New York, NY

Position Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $50000.00 - $55000.00 Salary/year

POSITION:

Education Specialist

REPORTS TO:

Children’s Services-Education/Workforce Supervisor (Fair Futures)

COMPANY:

Lutheran Social Services of New York

CLASSIFICATION:

Full-Time

EXEMPT/NONEXEMPT:

Exempt

ANNUAL SALARY:

$50,000- $55,000

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Education Specialist provides educational advocacy, conducts academic proactive performance monitoring, ensures students are receiving the support they need to succeed and makes referrals to quality tutoring and extracurricular activities. The Education Specialist also provides individualized assistance with school selection processes to students and their families. The Specialist will ensure the applications of schools the student submits are quality, best fit. As part of a team, the Educational Specialist coordinates with Case Planners, Socio-therapist, Foster Parents, and other Treatment Team members on the student’s academic progress and follows up on any needs or concerns.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Approach work with a positive attitude, with an ethic of service and integrity rooted in the values, mission, vision, and philosophy of Lutheran Social Services of NY (LSSNY). Understand that the focus of all LSSNY’s work is for the betterment of those LSSNY serves. Comply willingly with all organizational policies and procedures and support all functions that attain and maintain accreditation and compliance with regulatory agencies. Contribute to organizational excellence at the individual, team, department, divisional, and agency wide levels. Exhibit integrity, professionalism, and respect both in the workplace and in the communities we serve.

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Ability to navigate complex educational issues, be resourceful, and work independently. Ability to organize time and prioritize responsibilities to plan and carry out all duties. Ability to effectively collaborate in team settings and build relationships with external partners.

Duties:

• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with schools; provide advocacy on behalf of students.
• Work with Case Planner, foster parent, birth parent/caregiver and tutor to address educational concerns.
• Advocate for both long-term individualized interventions for students with complex or ongoing educational needs and targeted short-term support to ensure that every student has access to a particular service or opportunity.
• Request that the school make referrals for IEP evaluations and behavioral/academic support within the school.
• Negotiate with DOE staff to ensure the implementation of recommended and appropriate educational and counseling services.
• Secure representation for the students who have, or are at risk of, receiving a suspension.
• Ensure school stability if a student is relocating homes, in consultation with the Case Planner and parent.
• Provide individualized guidance to ensure that the schools the students are applying to are quality, best-fit schools.
• Work with community resources including in-home quality tutoring programs, mental health services, afterschool programs and extracurricular services, to ensure students receive assistance on a broad spectrum that fosters continued success educationally as well as emotionally.
• Participates in professional development, including those mandated by the program/funders/agency.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal rules and regulations, including HIPPA.
• Other duties as required by direct supervisor or needs of the program/agency.

Qualifications:

QUALIFICATIONS: Master's in education preferred. Bachelor’s degree in education or a related field is required. At least two years of education-related experience in an instructional, administrative, or advocacy-related position. Must be willing to travel to various NYC (New York City) boroughs. Experience working with students and families in foster care is strongly preferred. Bilingual Spanish preferred. Basic competency in Microsoft Office for Windows applications is required.