What are the responsibilities and job description for the Education/Vocational Specialist position at Good Shepherd Services?
In the context of child-centered, family-focused practice to promote permanency, well-being, and safe, productive, and daily programmatic functioning of a hard-to-place Group Residence for male participants. The Educational/Vocational Specialist works as part of the multidisciplinary team and develops and implements educational, vocational, and job-related services within the Green House program. He/she collaborates with DOE personnel, ACS staff, and other stakeholders to ensure optimal school, college, and vocational placements. The specialist supervises tutors/teachers within the program and supports the Sanctuary models.
REPORTS TO: Social Work Supervisor, Green House
LOCATION: 2190 University Avenue, Bronx, NY 10453
HOURS: 35 Hours/Week, Exempt
SALARY: $50K - $57,765.00
Major Duties:
- Perform individual educational assessments of residents upon intake and ongoing educational planning; include parent(s) in planning.
- Function as a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team. Participate in Treatment Team Meetings, Service Plan Reviews, Family Team Conferences, and other meetings as required.
- Serve as educational/vocational consultant to the program.
- Lead educational, vocational, and job-readiness groups.
- Collaborate with DOE and ACS staff on educational service needs and individual resident planning for other educational/vocational resources.
- Obtain all relevant records, including Individualized Education Plans from DOE.
- Job development, including summer youth and other part-time and full-time opportunities as needed.
- Coordinate special educational and vocational events and projects.
- Hire and supervise tutors and/or part-time teachers for the program.
- Coordinate tutorial services within the program with the Program Director and Case Work Supervisor, the Department of Education (DOE), and tutors and/or volunteers.
- Ensure appropriate educational/vocational plans and resources are in place for trial discharge.
- Provide documentation of all activities (case notes, letters), including in Connections and other databases.
- Conduct school/program/work site visits and home visits as needed.
- Monitor attendance at school/program.
- Effectively use and practice the Sanctuary Model tools: safety plans, community meetings, psycho-educational groups, team meetings, red flag reviews, treatment planning conferences (or similar), and self-care in the department/program to create a non-violent and trauma-sensitive culture.
- Promote and model the seven Sanctuary Model commitments to create a non-violent, trauma-sensitive culture.
- Integrate the Sanctuary Model SELF (Safety, Emotional Management, Loss and Future) framework into daily practice to ensure quality care and an effective work environment.
- Perform other duties as required.
Qualifications:
- Bachelors degree and prior experience working with city school system resources.
- Must be able to make home visits and escort children to school, home, and other appointments.
- Experience working with child welfare or juvenile justice-involved youth preferred.
- Demonstrated competence in verbal, written, organizational, and prioritization skills.
- Proven participant sensibility and the ability to communicate with staff on all levels.
- Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills to maintain required documentation.
- Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.
- Current, valid drivers license preferred.
- Must be able to use public transportation systems, including subways and busses, to attend various meetings and to make home visits.
- Must have a commitment to work from a strength-based, youth and family development and trauma-informed perspective.
Good Shepherd Services is a leading multi-service agency with more than 85 programs that serve over 30,000 youth and families each year and builds on their strengths to help them gain skills for success. At Good Shepherd we respect the dignity and worth of every person and reject intolerance, inequity and injustice in whatever form it may take. Voted one of the top 100 places to work in NYC by Crains New York, Good Shepherd Services offers a fantastic work environment, a collaborative team dedicated to fulfilling our mission, and an amazing array of benefits. Join our team and help make a difference!
General Requirements: All staff are expected to be committed to the mission, vision, and values of Good Shepherd Services, which includes involvement in quality improvement activities and a willingness and ability to work within a culturally diverse environment.
Good Shepherd Services is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, participants, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors. We do not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services.
Salary : $50,000 - $57,765
