Fair Futures Middle School Education Specialist

Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 52,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York seeks an Education Specialist to support up to 50 middle school students and their families with educational advocacy and essential services. The role includes monitoring academic performance, referrals to tutoring, and guiding 5th-8th grade students through the middle/high school selection process to identify best-fit options.

The position involves collaboration with case planners, tutors, schools, and mental health providers to ensure

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college.
• At least two years in an education-related role.
• Experience with foster care settings preferred.
• Strong advocacy and communication with families.
• Ability to navigate education systems and IEP processes.

Responsibilities

• Provide educational advocacy and supports for up to 50 students.
• Coordinate with case planners, tutors, and schools.
• Refer tutoring services and extracurricular activities.
• Guide high school selection for 8th graders.
• Ensure DOE/ACCESS VR referrals as needed.
• Maintain monthly progress reports.

Skills

Educational advocacy

Student support

Family communication

Collaboration with schools

Education

Bachelor’s degree (Education or related)

2+ years in education-related field

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Full Time Brooklyn, NY, US

6 days ago Requisition ID: 1296

Salary Range: $52,000.00 To $55,000.00 Annually

Summary Job Description:

The overall role of the specialist is to work with up to 50 middle school students and their families, providing educational advocacy and ensuring students are receiving the supports/services they need to succeed.

The Education Specialist will be responsible for providing supportive services to 50 or less, depending on how many middle school students that have been identified, from grades 6 through 8. The Specialist will provide educational advocacy, conducts academic performance monitoring and makes referrals for tutoring services and extracurricular activities.

The middle school Specialist will also provide individualized assistance with the high school selection, processes to all 8th grade students and their families, as well as all 5th grade students with the middle school process when possible. The Specialist will ensure that the list of High Schools students is choosing are quality, best-fit school. The Specialist will effectively serve as a conduit to help students and parents navigate the process exploring and identifying the best school to meet and support the student’s educational needs.

A Career at Little Flower

Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York is a nonprofit organization that has worked to improve the well-being of children, youth, and families across New York City and Long Island since 1929. Our staff of more than 500 provides prevention services, foster care, residential treatment care, adoption services, and medical and mental health services.

A career with Little Flower can be rewarding in so many ways. We are looking for conscientious and caring people who are ready to commit to the work of strengthening families and supporting the well‑being of children. If you’re looking for a career where you can truly make a difference, we hope you will consider joining our team.

The Middle School Education Specialist will provide individual assistance to student and parents as well as workcollaboratively with case planners, tutors, schools and the mental health provider, if warranted, to provide student focused supportive services to identify environment and institution that will best meet the child’s needs based on several issues: Academics, School size, Proximity/distance from home, Students/families preferences and Extracurricular activities.

Build and maintain collaborative relationships with schools; provide advocacy on behalf of students

Work with Case Planner, foster parent, bio-parent/caregiver and tutor to address educational concerns

Request that the school make referrals for IEP evaluations and behavioral/academic supports within the school

Negotiate with DOE staff to ensure the implementation of recommended and appropriate educational services

Negotiate with ACCESS VR counselors for appropriate services

Ensure school stability if a student is relocating homes, in consultation with the Case Planner and parent

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

Able to use the Online Platform to record progress and create automated reports

Collect, review, and track NYC DOE monthly data on attendance, grades, promotion status, school enrollment, tutoring history, transcripts, etc.

Work with Case Planners and parents to ensure improved attendance, and/or provide additional academic supports

INDIVIDUALIZED ASSISTANCE

Ensure that the list of schools the student is choosing are quality, best-fit schools, and will record this list of schools (it will eventually be tracked in the Online Platform)

Responsible to guide the process as much as possible which includes establishing trust, explaining why the process is so important, and providing information/guidance when a selection may not be appropriate

Provide individualized assistance to all 5th grade students with the middle school selection process as well

IN-HOME/QUALITY TUTORING

Follow up regularly with Tutor Coaches regarding the students’ performance, needs, and any concerns

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Connect students to appropriate afterschool and summer activities

COORDINATING WITH OTHER STAKEHOLDERS

Responsible to outreach to parents for discussion about issues such as special education services, attendance concerns, behavioral issues in school, and school transfers

Responsible to include foster parents in educational planning because they will often interact with school staff on a regular basis

Must coordinate with Case Planners on the student’s academic progress and follow up on any needs/concerns. Provide a monthly report to the students’ Case Planners that includes progress notes and key academic data. Case Planners should also be consulted about school transfers and any other significant educational advocacy activity

Collaborate with the school to explore options for students to improve and benefit from services offered such as afterschool tutoring, special education services, and other supports

Schedule school visits for students in order to meet with the student and counselor together

Work with community resources including tutoring programs, mental health services, and afterschool programs. Collaborating with these stakeholders allow for students to receive assistance and services on a broad spectrum that can foster continued success educationally as well as emotionally

GENERAL EDUCATIONAL ADVOCACY ACTIVITIES

Offers both long-term individualized interventions for students with complex or ongoing educational needs and targeted short-term supports to ensure that every student has access to an appropriate service or opportunity of interest to the student.

SUSPENSION

Secure representation for the student who is receiving the suspension

SPECIAL EDUCATION AND STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Advocate for students to receive the most appropriate services available

Individual Education Program (IEP): Request a referral from the school for students to receive a special education evaluation if it is believed that the student may benefit from additional services in school

Assist in developing an IEP that focuses on the best interest of the student as well as ensure that students are receiving the services, they need to be successful

Ability to work with traumatized children/Students

Ability to engage students, families, school staff, and other entities.

Ability to advocate for the student and work collaboratively with other service providers

Able to work independently, be proactive, tenacious and resourceful

A love for working with children, youth and families

Excellent interpersonal skills to engage and build relationships with children, families, school partners and tutoring providers

Engagement skills from a strength-based, collaborative approach

Excellent interpersonal skills and able to easily build relations with children, families, school partners, and tutoring providers

Values and promotes diversity

Able to remain calm during times of tension and stress Good knowledge of the principles and practices of social casework

Good knowledge of the laws, rules, and regulations governing the care and treatment of children

Must be able to act decisively when necessary for client protection

Experience related to services to families and children, preferably medical or child welfare related

Excellent written, listening and verbal communication skills in order to effectively provide direction and counseling to clients and maintain all required documentation

Ability to establish effective working relationships with clients, relatives, and other individuals and to obtain and verify information needed through interviews and investigation

Ability to prepare clear, accurate, and comprehensive case records and to reach logical conclusions based on pertinent regulations and information

Must be able to accurately report the functioning of families and individuals

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree

Minimum two years in an education-related field

Have experience in an instructional, administrative, or advocacy-related position

Experience working with students and families in foster care is strong preferred Ability to navigate complex educational issues, be resourceful, and work independently;

Ability to organize their time and prioritize responsibilities in order to plan and carry out all duties;

Ability to effectively collaborate in team settings and build relationships with external partners;

Travel Requirements:

This position is based in Brooklyn, NY. Routine travel throughout the city is required. A valid NYS Driver’s License if using a personal vehicle or agency vehicle to drive on agency business.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Statement:

With more than 250 years of combined experience, Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York and St. John’s Residence for Boys have a long‑standing history of serving children, youth, adults and families of color. Our mission, vision and values are grounded in elevating the shared humanity of every staff member, community partner and those with whom we engage. We recognize that our DEIB work is continuously evolving as we strive for equity and inclusion for individuals of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexualities, ages, abilities, religions and lived experiences.

Disclaimer:

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of a person in this position