Job Summary
Community Mediation Services, Inc. (CMS) is seeking an Educational and Employment Specialist to help clients achieve positive educational outcomes and build sustainable career paths. This role supports clients through career planning, job readiness counseling, and connecting them with employment and educational resources, while advocating for their needs within the school system and job market. Responsibilities include facilitating workshops, conducting home and community visits, assisting with school meetings, supporting financial aid applications, and maintaining accurate case documentation in compliance with ACS requirements.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Carry out the Educational and Employment position by assisting clients in securing positive educational outcomes, developing career plans and obtaining and maintaining employment that is consistent with their vocational goals.
- Provide information to individuals and groups regarding policies and procedures of the Department of Education, specific school programs, and educational trends and policies.
- Prepare workbooks, written resource manual and written procedural manual for a variety of client groups and staff.
- Design and facilitate educational and employment workshops for staff, parents, and youth as needed.
- Networking with employment resources to conduct informational sessions for youth and families.
- Identify community resources and coordinate trainings on topics regarding the educational needs of the children/youth, changes in Department of Education policies and practices, and trends in education or any other school related topics.
- Assists parents and students with advocacy around access to remote learning when necessary.
- Conduct a combination of home, community and office visits, tele-conference and when necessary phone sessions
- Ensure that program services are goal directed and ensure length of service requirements are met as defined by ACS.
- Prepare and Submit Progress Notes, Service Plans, enter data in several database systems and other time related material associated with the monitoring of a family.
- Complete all needed assessments for clients and provide counseling around education and their job readiness as determine by their skills and interest.
- Integrating educational/employment goals and services with task for all team members to support goal achievement and timely case closure.
- Complete job placement exploration and establish relationships with prospective employment/ internship placement as it relates to clients’ skills.
- Maintain Current Knowledge on Educational Issues
- Explore school programs and become familiar with opportunities in the borough.
- Research and maintain current knowledge of DOE and educational procedures and policies.
- Establish and maintain relationships with school personnel. Attend guidance and school hearings, for school age children from elementary through high school and Committee on Special Education meetings and hearings.
- Provide education and support to clients in an effort to encourage the client to follow up on educational opportunities and escort to visit local GED programs and colleges
- Attend high school meetings with teachers, review report card, Individual Education Program (IEP), 504 Plan, and Transition Plan meetings to discuss how the client learns best and explore ways to further support the client’s education.
- Provide support with financial aid including the annual Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), understanding loan obligations, applying for scholarships, obtaining tools, equipment and computers resources.
- Maintain knowledge of the school system from early childhood through High School.
- Maintain knowledge of non-traditional school settings e.g. night schools, vocational, GED services and DOE schools that may not be housed in traditional school setting. Ex: day treatment, substance abuse program schools.
- Participate in meetings and communicate individually with team members between meetings in order to coordinate and integrate vocational and educational services.
- Advocacy and Preparedness for Employment/ Vocational Opportunities
- Establish trusting working relationships with clients to prepare them for goal attainment in the competitive job market.
- Assess clients' vocational skills and preferences on an ongoing basis utilizing background information and work experiences. With the client's permission, provides information and support to family members.
- Conduct job research, job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualized to the interests and uniqueness of the client on the caseload.
- Help clients learn about different jobs/career opportunities by assisting with interviews, resume writing and attending job fairs to speak with employers about different types of jobs.
- Stay up to date on applications for SYEP as well as support families through the application process.
- Maintain database of resources for internship opportunities throughout the year.
- Provide outreach services as necessary to clients when they appear to disengage from services.
- Comply with all recordkeeping & documentation requirements
- Develop case summary and joint meetings with the other providers
- Timely documentation and accurate progress note submission.
- Provide written and oral family progress reports for case record and Family Court.
- Participate in case audits and case closure
- Maintain case records and record keeping in compliance with ACS requirements/and all existing Federal, State and City laws. This includes CONNECTIONS and PROMIS systems.
- Provide quantitative and qualitative outcomes achieved by the program, youth and families served.
- Participate as a member of the CMS team
- Adherence to CMS policies and procedures.
- Model professionalism and the founding principles of CMS.
- Enhance community awareness of the program by participating in networking and community based activities.
- Develop and maintain relationships with existing and potential referral sources.
- Share knowledge of existing resources and contribute new ideas.
- Participate in unit initiatives and agency-wide committees.
- Partner with other CMS programs
- Meet with the supervisor regularly for supervision
Physical Requirements (Essential Functions)
This position requires the ability to move throughout the facility and perform tasks that may include:
- Standing or sitting for extended periods
- Bending, squatting, or reaching
- Occasionally lifting or carrying up to 30 pounds
These physical requirements are essential functions of the role and may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
EEO Statement
Community Mediation Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all persons in employment-related decisions, including hiring, promotions, training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.
Pay: $48,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Loan forgiveness
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Are you currently employed by Community Mediation Services (CMS)?
- Have you previously been employed by Community Mediation Services (CMS)?
- Do you have experience working with DOE and other school resources ?
Education:
Experience:
- Child Welfare: 2 years (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
