JOB
Hennepin County’s Education Support Services (ESS) department, which is within the Disparity Reduction line of business, is seeking an Education Support Specialist to provide educational services and support to youth and families who are new arrivals to Minnesota and the United States and are staying in a Hennepin County shelter. We are person-centered in our approach to our work. Education Support Specialists provide proactive educational planning, monitoring, advocacy, and navigation support tailored to the needs of the youth and families they serve.Current Hennepin County employees who refer a candidate hired into an open competitive position may be eligible for a $500 referral bonus. For more information visit employee referral program. Location and hours: This position will be on-site and performed at 1201 West 94th Street, Bloomington, MN 55431, other Hennepin County building sites, and/or community-based sites. Work hours are primarily Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. with some flexibility.About this position type: This is a full-time, (limited duration/temporary) benefit earning position expected to last up to 18 months. This position is internally classified as a Case Management Assistant.Click here to view the job classification specification. In this position, you will: Talk with students and families staying in Hennepin County shelters about ESS and related programming. Enroll clients in ESS services if interested. Meet with clients to determine their needs, make referrals, and provide assistance in obtaining educational support services (may work with interpreters to communicate with clients).Provide education planning, monitoring, advocacy, and navigation support tailored to the individual developmental needs of clients.Coordinate with shelter staff, school district staff, and library staff to connect available school supports.Identify, connect, and provide clients with tutoring resources.Maintain ongoing contact with students and families to ensure clients feel listened to and supported.Offer coaching support and teach problem-solving and self-advocacy skills to clients so they have an active voice in their education.Recognize and develop available support networks for clients (including family members, caregivers, social workers, counselors, school staff, mentors, and community organizations).Arrange for other needed services and be a resource for clients' parents/caregivers.Confer with other staff and related professionals as appropriate concerning client’s educational needs and/or progress.Maintain and record notes about client's participation in programs and their progress and development.Need to have: One of the following: Two years of responsible, paid social service experience providing direct client service.A two-year human services certificate.Two years or more of college coursework in the behavioral sciences.A valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation for meetings that may be held at locations that are not served by public transportation.Spanish language fluency.Nice to Have: Experience: Assessing client needs; monitoring, recording, and reporting client or program activity progress.Working with youth connected to county systems (i.e. children's mental health, child protective services, juvenile justice, child welfare, etc.).Serving the needs of children and families who are new arrivals to Minnesota and the United States.Serving the needs of people living in a homeless shelter.Using different databases and applications such as Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, SharePoint, Windows, school learning platforms, etc.Providing services in multicultural settings and providing culturally appropriate services for populations experiencing disparities (i.e. people of color, immigrant and refugee, disability, LGBTQIA , etc).Providing academic mentoring, tutoring, and/or helping students and families access educational supports (i.e. special education services, English language learner services, other school specific resources).Knowledge of: Community resources and educational services available to clients.Client interviewing techniques.Ability to: Interact effectively and respectfully with clients.Perform case management in a social service setting.Communicate both orally and in writing to clients and partnered agencies.Establish effective working relationships with professional and non-professional groups.Use a collaborative approach to problem solving with a diverse range of people.Exercise independent judgment and initiative in performing assigned duties.Promote racial equity and address disparities within programs and services.This position requires a Spanish bilingual candidate. Bilingual candidates who pass a language assessment may qualify for additional bilingual pay and duties.About the department: The Education Support Services department addresses disparities in education systems by partnering with Hennepin County youth, families, and community professionals to support student engagement and growth. We advocate for families by listening to their needs, collaborating with students to identify and achieve goals, connecting them with resources, and encouraging authentic and transformational relationships between youth and their communities.About Hennepin County: Hennepin is the largest county government organization in Minnesota. Our employees work every day to improve the health, safety and quality of life for our residents and communities. All of our jobs align to one or more of our overarching goals -- that Hennepin County residents are healthy, protected and safe, self-reliant, assured due process, and mobile. Our employees receive a combination of generous benefits and positive workplace culture not found at other organizations. This includes meaningful work that impacts our community, competitive pay, work-life balance, a variety of benefits and opportunities to grow. Learn more at The Bridge - select Guest. Hennepin County envisions an organization where our commitment to diversity and the reduction of disparities is fundamental in providing excellent service to our community. Your future. Made here. This posting may be used to fill current and future vacancies. This position may have access to systems or other documentation that contains HIPAA data.Invitations to interview will be based upon an assessment of education and experience.Final candidates may be required to complete a drug test, background check and/or driver's license check.If you have any questions, please contact: Majestanina VangMajestanina.Vang@hennepin.us