What are the responsibilities and job description for the Academic and Life Skills Educator position at Youth Opportunity Center, Inc.?
POSITION SUMMARY
The Academic and Life Skills Educator is responsible for working directly with clients, treatment teams and the community to ensure youth are receiving quality, individualized academic and independent living skills to aid in the youth’s success upon discharge. Responsibilities of this role include implementing and interpreting youth academic and life skills assessments, composing youth-driven learning plans, and creating learning opportunities for clients. Services delivered by the Academic and Life Skills Educator will be rendered in the form of direct individualized support, group workshops and community experiences to enrich each clients’ scholarly aptitude, self-efficacy and future role in society. These learning activities will connect the clients’ personal skills, the classroom and real-world experiences. Collectively, these activities are designed to be in alignment with the youths’ academic and life skill goals.
PRIMARY JOB EXPECTATIONS
- Communication & Service
- Assists teachers and school personnel to meet individual needs of clients
- Helps clients on a variety of scholarly subjects
- Designs and conducts activities addressing identified areas of need; provides support and monitors progress
- Communicates academic and life skills progress and concerns with treatment teams
- Provides program staff with necessary resources to meet the academic and life skill needs of clients
- Works with treatment team to ensure quality youth services are provided to meet DCS requirements
- Assists the Academic and Life Skills Coordinator with special events and projects
- Academic and Life Skills Enhancement
- Completes Casey Life Skills Assessment and Learning Plan for assigned clients
- Continuously assesses academic needs of assigned clients
- Promotes the value of academic and life skills to clients through special activities, seminars, or workshops
- Implements incentive programs for clients in order to promote positive performance, effort, and behavior
- Creates and implements engaging learning experiences that are designed to enhance academic and life skills
- Utilizes creative games, interventions, and interactions to engage clients in learning
- Provides individual assistance to older youth in independent living skills attainment; such as securing employment, home management skills, legal establishment, post-secondary attainment/exploration etc.
- Documentation & Research
- Documents all academic and life skills services into a support services case note
- Maintains an awareness of effective teaching and guidance methods through research of best practices
- Researches programs and activities that will benefit clients served
- Monitors clients’ improvement through ongoing assessments
- Develops and maintains a working knowledge of DCS’ service standards
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE NEEDED
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with experience in the social work or health care field preferred; high school diploma required.
FUNDAMENTAL QUALIFICATION
Must be able to demonstrate awareness of the cultural and socioeconomic differences of our clients as well as value a nurturing family as the ideal environment; a commitment to empowering others to solve their own problems and a conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change; the ability to establish a respectful relationship with persons served to help them gain skills and confidence by maintaining a helping role and appropriately intervening to meet service goals; the ability to set appropriate limits.
Must be able to demonstrate awareness of the cultural and socioeconomic differences of our clients as well as value a nurturing family as the ideal environment; a commitment to empowering others to solve their own problems and a conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change; the ability to establish a respectful relationship with persons served to help them gain skills and confidence by maintaining a helping role and appropriately intervening to meet service goals; the ability to set appropriate limits.
KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS NEEDED
- Concise observation, intervention and documentation
- Ability to design and lead group learning activities
- High attention to detail
- Excellent time management skills and the ability to support multiple work assignments simultaneously
- Strong computer application skills
- Ability to take initiative individually and collaboratively to formulate a course of action to accomplish goals
- Must be adaptable and flexible in dealing with a variety of stakeholders, environments and situations
- Ability to communicate clearly with a wide range of people including a variety of internal and external constituents
- Able to identify problems and implement solutions in a timely manner
- Must be able to prioritize and plan work to maximize efficiency
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
None
WORKING CONDITIONS
Typical work week is 40 hours, M-F, times vary by availability and need of population served. Position requires additional hours when necessary to complete special projects or meet specific deadlines. Direct contact with Muncie Community Schools, community networks and programs, treatment teams and placing agencies is a function of this position. Courtesy and professionalism at all times.
COMPENSATION
This position is full-time, and compensation includes a competitive hourly wage and benefits plan.
