Teacher Assistant (Bilingual Spanish)

LOCATION: Syosset, NY

REPORTS TO: Lead Teacher

DEPARTMENT: Refugee Services

SCHEDULE: Full Time

$1500 HIRING INCENTIVE

AGENCY BACKGROUND:

MercyFirst is a not-for-profit human and social service agency that has been serving children and families in need since we were founded by the Sisters of Mercy/Hermanas de las Misericordia in 1894. Today our agency continues to address the emotional and physical needs of children and families in Brooklyn, Queens and across Long Island through innovative treatments and life-changing interventions. We provide community-based prevention and family foster care services, group homes in the community for struggling children and families within the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and short-term residential services for unaccompanied migrant children. Each year, MercyFirst serves more than 3,000 children, teenagers and families overcome enormous obstacles, re-imagine their futures and develop their full potential.
PROGRAM BACKGROUND:

The children in our START with Hope program are in the U.S. as children whose parents/guardians are not physically with them. Many of our children have fled dangerous and violent situations in their own home countries, including but not limited to Central and South America. Most of our children have suffered devastating losses through trauma, violence, abandonment, poverty, substance abuses, or abuse. The children's safety, nutritional, medical, emotional health and education are our top priorities.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for assisting the Teacher in the education of unaccompanied children in the START program.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Bi-lingual in English and Spanish, with proficiency in speaking and writing in both languages.
• Some College in related filed is preferred.
• Must have experience, knowledge, and training in working with children and adolescents.
• Experience de-escalation emotional or physical outbursts through the use of TCI therapeutic intervention.
• Excellent organizational written and verbal communication, and analytical skills.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist minors with school activities as directed by Teacher and/or Head Teacher.
• Provide extra support to students and teacher.
• Cultivate a relationship of trust and respect in the classroom that will promote learning and build good character.
• Work with individual minors and/or small group to improve academic understanding and progress.
• Follow individualized courses of study according to curriculum guidelines, Teacher, school district and state requirements.
• Conduct safety walkthrough of classroom at the beginning and end of each class to check for hazards.
• Prepare minors for completing assignments, tests, and homework.
• Work collaboratively with teachers to create unique and successful lessons appropriate to the abilities, needs and interests of the minors.
• Maintaining records as dictated by Teacher.
• Participate in Red Flags meetings, treatment team meetings, etc. if needed.
• Work independently with minimum supervision to carry out lesson plans in absence of teacher.

BENEFITS/PERKS:

• A comprehensive health insurance package including medical, dental and vision plans for you and your family (fulltime reqd)
• 403B retirement benefits
• Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Generous paid time off (vacation, personal, 12 paid holidays for fulltime, sick leave based on hours worked)
• Free employee assistance program through National EAP
• Insurance discounts for our staff and their families
• Trainings to support professional and personal development.
• Employee wellness program
• Employee recognition activities

Salary Range:

$42,000 - $44,000/Annual
$1500 Hiring Incentive after 500 hours worked

MercyFirst is an inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization and an Equal Opportunity Employer who welcomes prospective employees from diverse backgrounds for all levels at the agency. We strive for a workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve, and do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, religion or creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, age (18 and over), military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, marital status, partnership status, care giver status, pregnancy, genetic information or predisposition or genetic characteristic, unemployment status, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, consumer credit history, or any other status protected by federal, state, and/or city law. This includes, but is not limited to, employment actions against and treatment of employees and applicants for employment.

525 Convent Road
Syosset, NY 11791
516.921.0808

241 37th Street, Suite 6A
Brooklyn, NY 11232
718.232.1500

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