Education Specialist

TASKS OF THE POSITION
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Plans and organizes work to meet all job requirements according to Vista Maria standards, various funding contracts, and professional standards.
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Collaborate with the youth’s identified school to screen for possible educational disabilities.
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Refer youth or review the Individual Education Program Team (IEPT) evaluation and prior educational assessments within the first 3-5 calendar days of placement to assess, plan and place the youth in the most appropriate educational/vocational program.
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Work with youth and teachers and or counselors to aid youth success including assistance with crisis situations to assist in managing the crisis and support youth in school disciplinary meeting/sessions within to aid the youth’s school behavior plan.
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Take an active role in monitoring and maintaining school progress (including documenting a minimum of weekly contact with the school monitoring the youth progress) for youth whether they attend a structured school program or not. Interventions may include obtaining school assignments, monitoring completion of homework, supporting test preparation, capturing, and reporting grades and test scores when and where available, and additional tutoring.
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Provide or arrange structured educational and/or vocational activities for youth suspended or expelled from school, or who have passed their General Education Development (GED) test, (i.e., structured homework time, additional reading or writing activities, online educational programming, independent study assignments and independent living skills.
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Provide tutorial services to a youth, as necessary, based on the youth’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or educational assessments.
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Initiate an exit review of the educational plan at least 30 calendar days prior to discharge, outlining the educational needs.
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Review the family’s educational background and capacity to support the youth’s education service needs prior to discharge.
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Provide advocacy and service planning for youth that are expelled or suspended, including actively engaging the youth’s family in the advocacy and planning process.
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Support of transition with youth and family to community-based school as appropriate and support aftercare services relative to schooling.
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Supports tasks and activities that may require working outside of regular work schedule.
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Stays informed of current practice developments within the profession and uses educational and training opportunities to ensure continued professional competence.
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Performs all other duties as required or requested by the Vice-President of Academic Development, keeping within the scope of the position.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

Demonstrated computer literacy skills as required.
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Demonstrated ability to interact positively in a culturally diverse environment.
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Effective organizational and communicative skills (both written and verbal).
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Demonstrated effective time management skills.
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Ability to work independently in the field.
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Demonstrates personal integrity and professional demeanor in accordance with the Vista Maria’s ethics and the profession.
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Extensive knowledge of instructional design theory and learning principles.
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Familiarity with traditional and modern training methods, tools, and techniques.
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Sound decision-making and organizational skills.
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Must be able to work as part of a team, i.e., must be an excellent team player
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Ability to successfully manage multiple tasks at once and have excellent time management abilities
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Ability to participate in the physical management of clients when needed.
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Ability to be flexible with the working conditions in a school setting, residential building or outdoors.
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Ability to provide back-up support when needed.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
None