Education Support Specialist: ESS

Education Support Specialist Reports To Respective Managers and Executive Director Compensation Salaried non-exempt starting at $62,928/year Competitive benefits including: Medical, Dental and Vision benefits Organization sponsored Retirement plan (403b) matched up to 5% Short term/long term disability Organization sponsored Life Insurance policy 4 weeks Paid Time Off Mileage reimbursement ($72.5 cents/mile) Job Overview Education Support Specialists create strengths-based interventions that focus on addressing learning gaps while attending to the multiple interactive processes that shape a person’s experience. Relationships form the foundation for a mutual exploration of a youth’s skills and the challenges that may be impacting their academic performance. While tutoring is our primary service-delivery model, we strive to continually center the mission and values of Parenting With Intent. In addition to co-creating plans to develop academic skills, ESS supports youth’s ability to understand their own physical, social and emotional development and leverage that into achieving their goals. ESS may provide additional individualized support by facilitating communication between stakeholders through meetings, conferences, and/or case documentation, establishing eligibility criteria for Special Education and advocating for equitable enforcement of services and policies. ESS may play an additional role in placement stabilization as needed. Another important aspect of the service is providing opportunities for youth to connect as learners to peers, classroom and school communities with intention. The Education team creates and runs day camps on out-of-school days and during the summer that focus on sparking creativity and engagement alongside positive peer and group interactions. ESS may broker additional enrichment activities within youth’s community. We define success in terms of a youth’s ability to reframe the educational system for themselves as a tool by which they achieve their goals rather than an oppressive and limiting structure. Responsibilities Commit to a year-round, 40-hour-per-week position that occurs primarily in the community Provide services and case management to a caseload of approximately 10 participants Aid in the development and implementation of the education program Participate in weekly and monthly Staff Meetings and Individual Supervision Respond to emails and all work-related communications in a timely manner Utilize Trauma-Informed Care and strengths-based perspectives and work towards meeting the cultural needs of all of our participants. Job Requirements A teaching license is preferred and a Bachelor’s Degree (minimum) is required. Strong engagement skills are essential in this position Knowledge of tutoring and academic support strategies Advanced skills in written and oral communication 2 years experience in Case Management and in working directly with youth and families, particularly those who have experienced oppression and are members of marginalized communities. High integrity in the work ethic and the ability to prioritize the needs of the youth and families they serve Ability to manage crisis and use de-escalation techniques Must have access to a safe, working, insured vehicle and a clean driving record and a valid driver’s license Ability to have a flexible schedule and work some nights and weekends Must have a working cell phone with texting capability YES! Education Support Job Specifics Provide individual mentorship to caseload of 8-10 youth in Foster Care Understand the unique needs of each youth and develop service plan that aims to meet their specific needs Be able to pass all four sections of the GED exam with 90 days of hire Understand school systems, organizational structures and eligibility requirements for Special Education services, have knowledge of the rights and responsibilities of stakeholders according to federal law (IDEA) Understand Child Welfare expectations and create collaborative services plans Have the ability to understand youth needs and connect to appropriate community resources when needed Provide timely and professional documentation Participate in and contribute to team meetings and court hearings More about Parenting With Intent: Our Mission Building strong connections for healthy communities. Our Values Through skillful engagement, we strive to establish trusting relationships and meaningful connections so that individuals are empowered to find the voice to advocate for their needs and the confidence to pursue their aspirations. We believe healthy relationships are the vehicle through which our youth and families are able to grow and thrive. It is our hope that each person involved in our program learns to identify an authentic sense of self, develop and sustain healthy relationships, recognize and participate in safe communities and ultimately live their lives with intention. Our Commitment to Equity At PWI, we recognize the institutional and cultural inequities that exist in history and continue to persist in the multiple systems of our lives. Individuals involved in the Child Welfare system are particularly vulnerable to these inequities. Lack of access to essential and culturally relevant resources further marginalize these communities and impact their success and wellbeing. We are committed to pushing equity forward and igniting change by supporting our youth and families as they work to achieve their goals. Our Agency Culture PWI is a special and unique environment where ideas are valued, visions are shared and people are empowered. We are intentional about creating a workspace that values trust and collaboration and believe that individuals thrive when they feel cared for and supported. All positions at PWI encourage creativity and include flexibility in order to promote a healthy work-life balance while meeting the fluctuating needs of the people we serve. Our team members work to establish healthy connections within their work relationships and operate from a strong commitment to furthering the Mission of PWI. We set ourselves apart by holding ourselves to a standard of excellence in the work that we do and the services that we provide.