Education Specialist

Job Summary:

Create new culture and norms within the foster care community and beyond – that foster children can have success in their educational careers. Aunt Leah’s Education Specialist works one-on-one with youth in and from government care on their plan for high school graduation and beyond.

In addition, an Education Specialist will take on an advocacy role with schools, social workers, youth, as well as community partners (internally within Aunt Leah’s different programming or externally with other community partners) to resolve difficult issues and remove barriers to foster school success. The Education Specialist may also provide short-term life skills and/or collaborative support with internal/external partners to assist youth in overcoming barriers that prevent them from having educational success. You’ll work with all of Aunt Leah’s programs to ensure wrap-around supports are in place for youth in and from care.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 2 years post-secondary education in Social Sciences, Social Worker, Child & Youth Care, and/or a related combination of education/ experience
• 1 year of experience working with youth in or from government care
• Advocacy background and training

Skills and Knowledge:

• Communication (Verbal & Written); Analytical skill and Research ability
• Flexibility/Adaptability in managing multiple priorities
• Interpersonal Abilities & Team Work Skills
• Problem-Solving/Reasoning/Creativity
• Crisis Management/Conflict resolution skills
• Planning/Organizing & Budgeting Skills
• Knowledge of the BC high school system and post-secondary education options
• Knowledge of resources available specifically for foster youth in/from care
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to follow and implement program policies and procedures
• Computer/Technical Literacy
• Reporting Writing and Documentation
• Experience in foundational literacy/numeracy tutoring would be an asset

Requirements:

• Undergo & maintain Criminal Record Check and Local Police Check
• Standard First Aid
• A valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle
• Produce a clear Driver’s Abstract
• Proof of vehicle business insurance and $5 million liability
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention or equivalent
• Advocacy training/experience
• Agrees to the Society’s Code of Ethics
• Other certifications as required by individual programs

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Direct Service

• Work with youth to create their own plan for high school graduation and beyond
• Build youth’s problem-solving and self-advocacy skills; support youth to navigate on their journey to re-engage with education
• Connect to resources, like tutoring and college and career preparation, including career cruising software or equivalent
• Build and support the team for each youth, including caregivers, social workers and school teachers, counselors, community support workers, and any other significant individuals in their lives
• Resolve education barriers specific to foster youth: school transitions, special education needs, disciplinary actions, and obtaining transcripts as needed
• Complete tracking information of SEFFY participants concurrently involved in multiple Aunt Leah’s programs (e.g., Branches AYA Lifeskill program, Bootstraps Employment program for young adults, Link program, etc.); liaise with appropriate staff from other programs to provide wrap-around support for participants
• Liaise with United for Literacy (Formerly Frontier College) and facilitate in-house tutoring or education-related sessions provided by Frontier College tutors/volunteers
• Supports SEFFY Coordinator to keep up to date on the latest news/resources on bursaries/grants/tuition fee waivers available for current and/or former youth in care; assist in sustaining Aunt Leah’s in-house funding applications for education
• Education-related workshop facilitation as needed
• Provide outreach support and other needed support services to participants as directed

2. Advocacy:

• Help students access education-related support services, including special education and/or accessibility services
• Identify and refer SEFFY participants who can benefit from additional internal programming supports (e.g., Branches AYA Lifeskill program, Bootstraps Employment program, Link program, wellness support with Dan’s Legacy, etc.) or external sources in the community
• Maintain connection with external referring agencies/internal programs to ensure a continuum of support in place for participants
• Knowledgeable and updated on educational opportunities within the various Ministries (MCFD, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Advanced Education, Ministry of Social Development, etc.)
• Researches Post-Secondary programs as well as funding resources, and develops connections and networks on behalf of Aunt Leah’s that will benefit the youth people served (includes bursaries, grants, and scholarships)
• Train caregivers, social workers, and students themselves to advocate for students’ educational rights
• Prevent school changes when students’ placements change and pave the way for seamless transitions when school changes are unavoidable
• Minimize the effects of disciplinary actions that keep students out of school
• Assist high school youth in making up credits when necessary and identifying alternative high school programs to stay engaged and on track to graduate

3. Financial Responsibilities:

• Responsible for providing receipts for petty cash used by participants
• Ensures that expenses follow budget guidelines

4. Health and Safety:

• Ensures that drop-in/resource area is clean and tidy and maintained to Health and Safety Standards
• Participates in the annual review of Aunt Leah’s Health and Safety Policies and Procedures

5. Communication:

• Attends meetings as required
• Liaises and seeks direction from Supervisor in crisis situations
• Attends Society Events as directed by supervisor
• Follows Aunt Leah’s Policies and Procedures
• Maintain documentation standards (direct service notes, individual educational plans, and service agreements
• Maintain education information in accessible formats for youth participants

6. Confidentiality:

• Communication between Education Specialist and the youth is confidential
• Education Specialist will follow Aunt Leah’s Society Policies and Procedures and Aunt Leah’s Code of Ethics (includes Child and Youth Care Association of BC Code of Ethics, Aunt Leah’s Privacy Policy, BC Rights of Youth in care & UN Rights of the Child)

7. On Call:

• Participates in on-call, including weekends, as scheduled; with the ability to support and attend as required

8. Physical Demands and Work Environment

• This position requires some lifting of heavier objects
• This position may be required to perform other related duties that do not affect the nature of the work

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy:

As of January 4, 2022, Aunt Leah’s Place has implemented a COVID-19 Vaccination policy. Aunt Leah’s Place strongly encourages all employees to be fully vaccinated (2 doses) for COVID-19. Rather than a mandatory vaccine policy, we are implementing a voluntary disclosure of vaccination. Employees will fill out a “voluntary disclosure” form indicating their vaccination status. Employees that do not wish to voluntarily disclose their vaccination status will be considered unvaccinated for operational planning purposes. The voluntary disclosure form will be included in the hiring process.

Living Wage Employer:

As a certified living wage employer, we are committed to compensating our employees a living wage that allows working families to support the healthy development of their children and participate in the social, civic, and cultural lives of their communities. Embracing a living wage policy aligns with our Strategic Goals and provides our staff with a great place to work!

We Offer: A comprehensive benefits package that includes: dental, extended health care including vision care and prescription, RRSP matching, generous vacation, and personal time package, and an employee discount at our Thrift Store.

Salary: starting at $24.00 per hour

To Apply: Please send your resume and cover letter, quoting Education Specialist in the subject line, to [email protected]. Short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.

We encourage qualified people of all gender expressions and identities, sexual orientations, visible minorities, Indigenous persons, and persons with disabilities to apply if you are interested in supporting our mission and mandate and like what we have to offer.