Educational Support Specialist, Independent Living Program

Description

AGENCY OVERVIEW

Since our founding in 1895 in Marin County as an orphanage – and through subsequent years as Sunny Hills Services – Side by Side has been at the forefront of best practices in child welfare, working with the most vulnerable youth in our community. Today, Side by Side operates in four counties – Marin, Alameda, Sonoma, and Napa – across the Bay Area, reaching nearly 2,000 children, young adults, and family members per year with much-needed services related to behavioral and mental health, early intervention in schools, LGBTQIA support, transitional housing for foster youth, and special education. 

Side By Side places high value on individuals with a passion for helping underserved youth and families in a collaborative and inclusive work culture. We strive to work together to create a trauma-informed workplace where we walk the walk of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging principles. 

COMPENSATION

This full-time position has an hourly rate of pay between $32.00 and $33.66 depending on experience.

BENEFITS

• 3 weeks of paid vacation for F/T employees increasing to 4 weeks of vacation after 2 years of service
• 2 weeks of sick leave for F/T employees with 2 additional sick days for direct service staff 
• 10 paid holidays per year and 1 Self-Care Anniversary Day each year
• 100% employer-paid Medical for F/T employees including platinum level Kaiser Permanente insurance, Sutter Health or Anthem options
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Long Term Disability insurance up to $9,000 per month, plus $50,000 Life and AD&D insurance.  Employees also have the option to purchase additional life insurance at their own cost.  
• 403b Retirement Plan
• Professional development and other learning opportunities including unlimited access to over 1,000 behavioral health courses online. Side By Side is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness certified employer
• FREE Employee Assistance Program including up to 10 complimentary personal counseling sessions per problem, per year for staff and dependents
• Employee recognition program with $1,000 bonus awards
• Employee referral bonus of up to $1,000
• Pet Insurance

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Independent Living Program provides every eligible youth in care with independent living skills training to assist in the transition to a successful and independent lifestyle. ILP services are currently delivered to youth ages 14-21 by Side by Side and partnered with Alameda County Social Services.

There is an option for this position to become hybrid based on an on-going demonstration of autonomy and continuously meeting program deliverables.

JOB SUMMARY

The Educational Support Specialist works in conjunction with youth’s Case Managers/Coaches and will play a crucial role in supporting youth and families by co-creating academic goals and navigating educational systems, addressing academic challenges, and fostering positive relationships between youth, parents, and educational institutions. The Educational Support Specialist is responsible for maintaining and linking youth to educational support resources, including special education. The Educational Support Specialist also provides periodic trainings for service providers, youth and family members on educational rights and educational advocacy. The Educational Support Specialist attends school IEP/504 meetings with and for youth as needed and they staff the ILP Office.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide client-centered, strengths-based, and culturally responsive educational case management to a designated caseload of ILP-eligible foster and probation youth; helping them finding and maintaining appropriate education educational placement(s).
• These goals will be specific to secondary and post-secondary education.
• Regularly meet and assess the needs of each youth on assigned caseload, support them with achieving their academic goals, including those outlined in their TILP, and help them problem solve and address challenges.
• Meet clients in the field when needed to assist them with accessing educational resources and support services.
• Support at risk populations, for example: pregnant and parenting teens, LGBTQ, and CSEC with accessing additional services unique to their situation.
• Meet with youth and their care team in the community to encourage youth participation in ILP related services.
• Advocate for youth and families on their caseload during CFT’s, IEP’s, 504 meetings and other academic placement specific meetings.
• Attend continuing education and professional development trainings to strengthen capacity to deliver quality service and programming to youth on caseload.

Programming Support

• Conduct workshops and informational sessions for families and community members on special education topics, alameda county specific resources, and parent and student rights. 
• Develop and distribute educational materials and resources relevant to the ILP eligible population of youth. 
• As part of outreach and engagement, the ILP Case Manager/Coach will attend monthly tabling events in the community to promote youth and family awareness and engagement.
• Collaborate with ILP team to develop, implement, and iterate on culturally relevant and responsive programming for systems-engaged youth.
• Attend and provide support at ILP events.
• Support annual events (e.g.: Back to School Bash, Independent city, Holiday events, etc.)

Administration

• Maintain timely and accurate progress notes and other records to document program participant status, progress toward the completion of goals, and outcomes.
• Provide status updates to County ILP staff when asked for QA purposes.
• Contribute to the development of TILPS as needed.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and expectations required of the position.

AGENCY-WIDE CORE COMPETENCIES

Ethical Conduct. Understands and adheres to the Agency’s Code of Conduct, demonstrates a high level of integrity in all internal and external activities and complies with the Employee Handbook and all other Agency policies, practices and procedures. Must maintain strict confidentiality related to client, staff and other Agency information.

Inclusivity. Has the desire and ability to support an inclusive environment with respect to all clients, staff and stakeholders, and to respect and adapt behavior to cultural differences and commonalities in values, expectations, beliefs and practices.

Communication. Able to inform verbally and in writing, with clarity and good effect and to understand clearly and quickly when instructions or orders are received. Includes judgment about what information is important and what is not, and what should be communicated, how, to whom and when. 

Judgment. Able to make decisions in a timely fashion that are sound, accurate and supported by the reasoning and inclusion of appropriate people. Includes the ability to recognize, address and propose solutions to problems that arise. 

Safety. The employee is safety conscious about the work environment. The work area is free of debris to prevent trip and slip hazards. All products and equipment are stored in its proper location. All safety devices are in their proper location, are functional, and utilized effectively on a consistent basis. Standard operating procedures and safety work rules are followed on a daily basis.

Job Knowledge

• Knowledge of the secondary and post-secondary education system
• Knowledge of the foster care system
• Knowledge of the obstacles current and former foster youth face
• Understanding of youth development/youth-adult partnership frameworks
• Knowledge of Child Development
• Knowledge of the cycle of Domestic Violence
• Knowledge of Parenting skills and bonding techniques
• Knowledge of the effects of Substance Abuse a harm reduction framework
• Knowledge of youth-friendly community resources and public welfare system

Work Quality. Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, particularly Word and Excel

Adaptability/Flexibility. Ability to work both collaboratively and independently

Teamwork

• Ability to establish and maintain rapport with youth and families, as well as other permanent support people and professionals
• Enthusiastic and strengths-based approach to partnering with youth and collaborating with peers.

Action Oriented/Initiative. Commitment to effectiveness, prioritizing efficiency and follow-through.

Professionalism/Self-Regulation. Commitment to self-reflection and personal awareness as a means of being able to remain emotionally available and connected with youth, and function as an engaged team-member

Cultural Responsiveness

• Commitment to working in a diverse workplace, and self-awareness regarding issues of race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion/spirituality and disability.
• Passion for working with a diverse group of Transition Age Youth (TAY) including youth of color, LGBTQ youth, and youth with disabilities.
• Ability to view families, both biological and chosen, as resources and support systems for youth, and commitment to involve families in services.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• 2 years of experience working with systems engaged adolescent and transitional aged youth.
• BA/BS in Social Science field; or 2 to 4 years of equivalent experience in mental health field is ideal.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills are required.
• Experience in crisis and resource management, youth development and group facilitation both virtually and in-person.
• Fulfillment of TB clearance, fingerprinting and state clearance, and any other mandatory state/federal requirements.
• A valid California driver's license, dependable personal automobile for use on the job, insurable by SHS’ insurance policy based on DMV record and personal vehicle insurance.
• Please note that the COVID-19 vaccination is mandated for all Side by Side staff, except in the cases of approved medical or religious accommodations.

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 the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Sitting, walking, standing for extended periods of time
• Twisting and bending for brief periods of time.
• Occasional reaching and/or grasping using hands and/or arms.
• Regular use of hands requiring dexterity in using the telephone, computer keyboard, mouse or calculator.
• May be required to use cleaning products, and assist clients with cleaning and moving belongings
• Regularly required to talk and hear in person or by telephone.
• Visual ability to read documents and computer monitor.
• May be required to lift up to 30 pounds.
• May be required to ascend/descend stairs.
• Exposure to low to moderate noise levels characteristic of working in an office or client environments.
• Ability to drive to various sites

Side by Side provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. 

Salary : $32 - $34