Education Support Specialist- Caminos

Reports to: Education Support Supervisor

Full-Time

Fluency In English And Spanish Preferred

Position Summary

The Educational Support Specialist assists with the general supervision and management of students both in the residence as well as the school setting. Working under the direction of the classroom teacher, this position assists with the implementation of instructional plans as well as supports the treatment needs of students. This position is integral to supporting the unique needs of each student and identifying proper solutions when students encounter challenges.

Essential Functions

• Model and act in accordance with Everstand's core values.
• Demonstrate and practice trauma informed leadership.
• Demonstrate and practice Everstand’s leadership mindset, “Choose kindness. Solve problems and learn together. Make it happen.”
• Interact with residents/students in a developmentally appropriate manner while also demonstrating knowledge of trauma informed care practices.
• Ensures that the student to teaching staff ratio is adequate and consistent with federal, state and agency regulations.
• Utilizes program approved and youth guided techniques to support the development of a healthy, trusting relationship with the youth. In Everstand’s Theory of Change, this relationship is the vehicle for recovery and building durable skills.
• Contributes to the prevention and management of challenging behaviors by implementing the school-wide behavior management system.
• Assists with residential functions such as helping youth complete the morning routine and transitioning residents/students to and from destinations before, during and after the school day.
• Participate as needed in classroom instruction, activities, and routines, under the direction of designated teaching personnel.
• Assure that established routines are followed, for example: supervising meals and participating in recreational and physical education activities.
• Encourage youth in their academic pursuits, providing individualized support based on the needs of the youth.
• Consistently implements each resident’s individualized plans and completes documentation as required, such as, educational assessments, daily reports, child level events / significant incident reports and medication records (MAR) as applicable. Promotes effective communication through the timely submission of documentation.
• Ensure the completion of required assessments and data reporting in compliance with federal, state and agency regulations.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the value of cultural differences, including the ability to develop systems and practices that are responsive to the cultural needs of the client population served.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and familiarity with both Everstand and Office of Refugee Resettlement Policy and Procedures relating to the care and supervision of Unaccompanied Children. This includes knowledge of legal background and authority governing the practice as related to working with Unaccompanied Children.
• Maintains professional boundaries between self and resident to ensure the appropriateness of a therapeutic relationship.
• Accompany youth to scheduled appointments, including medical, court hearings, etc. ensuring that safe transportation in provided in agency vehicles.
• Administer and document medication following program guidelines (with certification).
• Maintain a high standard of cleanliness and order in the living unit/classroom.
• Demonstrate knowledge of basic principles of child care and education.
• Obtain and maintain certification as a “user” in Everstand’s electronic health record software system, Cx360.
  
  

Non-Essential Functions

• Provides transportation support for youth intakes and discharges, to include but not limited to airline travel.
• Supports language translation / interpretation needs of the youth for medical appointments.
• Identify professional development and training needs as they arise.
  
  

Competencies

• Accurate Listening
• Appointment Coordination
• Attention to Detail
• Communications
• Conceptual Thinking
• Handling stress
• Honesty
• Following Directions
• Frequent Interaction with Others
• Meeting Standards
• Organizational Skills
• Customer Service
• Taking Minutes
• Personal Accountability
• Problem Solving
• Professional Behavior
• Speaking to strangers
• Teamwork
• Learning and using Technology
• Telephone Protocol
• Time Management
• Flexibility
• Urgency
  
  

Supervisory Responsibility

Not Applicable

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

In the nature of being at a residential living environment there may be times you experience conditions in which challenging behavior can be exhibited from our youth to include but not limited to, physical agitation, physical violence and/or emotion outburst.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Due to the nature of the populations served, there is a physical component to behavioral interventions that requires the ESS to be able to safely perform physical restraints when necessary, as outlined and trained via Therapeutic Crisis Intervention.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3 p.m or 7:30am-3:30pm. Not eligible for flex schedule. Essential during inclement weather.

When school is not in session, will be assigned to work in a unit; hours will be determined by unit supervisor, based on agency needs.

Travel

Travel, if needed, is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-area and overnight travel may be expected.

Required Education And Experience

• High School Diploma
• One-year of child welfare experience working with children and/or adolescents.
  
  

Preferred Education And Experience

• Bilingual English and Spanish speaking ability.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited College or University
  
  

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrate understanding of roles of other personnel in the interdisciplinary team approach setting.
• Able to learn and effectively utilize different technology platforms.
• Excellent computer use knowledge with Microsoft Windows 10 and 365 Office products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Proven effective time management, planning, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to problem solve.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to keep an electronic calendar (Outlook).
• Ability to pass TCI certification both at employee orientation and per the schedule outlined by HR thereafter.
• Ability to pass CPR/First aid certification both at employee orientation and per the schedule outlined by HR thereafter.
• Ability to demonstrate the possession of a valid driver’s license prior to employment and ability to maintain the license and operate a motor vehicle thereafter.
• Ability to pass CPS/UII background check both prior to employment and per the schedule outlined by HR thereafter.
• Ability to pass a Tuberculosis Screening both prior to employment and per the schedule outlined by HR thereafter. (WV - applicable; PA – not applicable)
• Ability to pass a work-readiness physical performed by a certified medical professional both prior to employment and per the schedule outlined by HR thereafter.
• Ability to pass a Federal and State Fingerprinting Background Check both prior to employment and per the schedule outlined by HR thereafter.
• Ability to pass a drug screen via urinalysis both prior to employment and randomly thereafter
  
  

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Employee signature below constitutes employee's understanding of the requirements, essential functions and duties of the position.

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