Social Learning Specialist

Overview:

This is a full- time, 11-month position with a pay range of $18.00- $20.00 per hour.

The Social Learning Specialist (SLS) as part of a school-based, support services team. The SLS works to create a youth/family/faculty friendly presence within the school that is founded on cooperative relationships and direct communication. The SLS is able to provide the full continuum of care; specific areas of focus are prevention education, Help Zone (alternative to suspension) services and immediate crisis response. SLS will also deliver a variety of best- practice and research-based services (i.e., groups, workshops, curricula), as needed, with a focus on the Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS). The SLS also provides access to additional resources from The Center for Youth.

Note: Work hours may overlap the school day (before and after school). Special events or projects may take place during the early evenings and/or on a weekend.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Administers, coordinates and oversees program (on-site)
• Works in tandem with School Administrators to assure services are based on identified needs and meets with the administrators on a regular basis
• Attend School Support Service meetings
• Delivers a restorative-based system
• Creates and oversees data collection and program evaluation processes
• Provides monthly reports to Director of School Based Programs
• Coordinates requests for Prevention Education services
• Maintains accurate and timely records in accordance with funder and agency requirements
• Outreach and information dissemination
• Referral and referral readiness;
• Immediate response and support;
• Prevention education with fidelity including: asset-building groups, research-based curricula, planned-duplication booster sessions
• Asset development (risk reduction and protective factor) activities
• Alternatives to suspension services including pre/post assessment and transitional services
• Agency ambassador and liaison at Referral Team Meetings, Partner Meetings, Open Houses, Health Fairs, etc.
• Knowledge of school policies and procedures
• Research and design of services including outcome and impact tracking
• Record keeping, evaluation and QA
• Development and maintenance of resource files, lesson plans and training aids
• Participation in individual supervision and all mandated meetings and trainings
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Supervisor

EMPLOYMENT GUIDELINES:
Candidates must:

• Adhere to ethical conduct
• Demonstrate professionalism, i.e., timely, dependable, responsible, flexible
• Be non-judgmental and respectful manner especially in regards to immediate crisis response
• Be creative
• Possess dynamic platform and facilitation skills
• Possess strong organizational, time-management skills
• Be a self-starter
• Model principles of inclusion and tolerance
• Be youth centered and positive
• Be youth and family friendly
• Understand urban issues
• Establish effective working relationships with supervisor and co-workers
• Develop positive relationships with all key stakeholders
• Have strong literacy skills (i.e., reading, writing, comprehension)
• Conduct research and apply best-practices and evaluation methods
• Effectively promote knowledge and skill development and positive behaviors
• Provide leadership, work as a team and/or work independently as requested

Candidate must possess significant knowledge of:

• Child and Adolescent development including positive youth development, asset development, risk reduction and protective factors, child and adolescent development principals
• Crisis management and behavior management techniques
• Youth serving systems
• Community resources
• Client advocacy
• Prevention services

CULTURAL COMPETENCY:

The Center delivers services to youth and families from many racial, ethnic, cultural, social and life style groups. We value differences in people and strive to understand diverse cultures, ethnic origins, sexual orientations, abilities and beliefs. To this end, all staff is required to attend professional development trainings and to continually enhance their understanding of cultural diversity.

Staff are expected to respect and honor cultural and human diversity and be sensitive to the needs of youth from varied backgrounds. The annual Performance Appraisal provides an opportunity to staff to evaluate how they are integrating culturally competent practices into their everyday work.

QUALIFICATIONS:

A Bachelors Degree in a Human Service or related field and 1-3 years of related experience or equivalent combination.

Note: A Master Degree, advanced training and/or certification in areas directly related to the skills required preferred.

In addition to the above, it is mandatory that candidates meet the following criteria prior to hire:

• Authorization for the agency to obtain driving record information
• A valid driver's license and driving record acceptable to our insurance carrier
• Regular access to a motor vehicle with automobile insurance at the level of $100,000 per person/ $300,000 per accident Bodily Injury and $ 50,000 Property Damage
• Access to a telephone

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Candidates must be able to be autonomously mobile in order to provide the required services.

COMPUTER SKILLS REQUIREMENTS:
Microsoft Office - Basic skill level

The Center for Youth provides equal opportunities for employment.