Title: Educational Specialist

Program / Department: Teen Focus/Youth Transition Services

Reports To: Teen Focus Program Coordinator

Status / Hours: Exempt / Full-time

Education & Experience

· Bachelors degree in Social Work or related field, preferred

· Child welfare and/or experience working with older youth, required

· Trauma-informed and permanency competence

· Must possess a valid driver’s license and auto insurance, with continuous access to a private vehicle.

Supervisory Responsibilities

· None

Skills Required

Must possess and demonstrate:

· Ability and enthusiasm to engage and motivate young adults in individualized case management planning, with focus on education, vocation, and life skills

· Advocacy for best practice for vulnerable population

· Understanding and commitment to permanency for youth and young adults, including both legal and relational permanency

· Ability to identify and connect youth to community-based resources

· Confident public speaking skills for workshop and training delivery to both young adults and staff on a variety of topics related to youths’ transition to adulthood

· Strong organizational skills, with ability to work both independently and as a member of a team

· Belief in youth voice and choice

Physical Requirements

· Prolonged periods of (1) sitting at a desk/meeting table and (2) working on a computer.

· Ability to self-transport to client and agency-related meetings and work within the RI community

· Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable staff to perform the essential duties.

Duties & Responsibilities

· Assessment and coordination of education and enrichment services for teens in foster care

· Provision of intensive support to youth and youth’s natural supports regarding school meetings, IEPs, 504 Plans, specialized tutoring, and on-going educational planning, assessments, and advocacy for additional services needed.

· Tracking of youth’s educational progress and coordinated communication with teachers and school administrators related to progress and needs

· Provide psychoedcuation and support to youth to assist with goal development specific to graduation, post-secondary education, vocational training, and job attainment. Facilitation of referrals to additional programming, as needed.

· Develop collaborative partnerships with educational, vocational, and other community stakeholders

· Organize and implement educational and vocational trainings, workshops, and events for youth, including members of the youth’s natural support system, when applicable

· Provide individual and group services for life skill development and community service involvement

· Communicate and coordinate with all members of the youth’s treatment team

· Attend and participate in-service trainings, team meetings, professional development, and group and individual supervision, as applicable

· Complete all necessary documentation, including all client records, narrative reports of assessments, progress reports, treatment plans, quarterly report submissions, and discharge summaries, in compliance with HIPAA standards.

· Actively participate and contribute to program and agency data collection and analysis for purposes of identifying trends, program development, and communication with the community

· Other duties as assigned

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $42,000.00 - $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person