Social Leaning Specialist/ Community School Navigator

The Center for Youth: Started BY YOUTH FOR YOUTH. We partner with youth to realize their full potential, by creating opportunities, removing barriers and promoting social justice.

Overview:

The Social Learning Specialist (SLS)/Community School Navigator is part of a school-based support services team. The SLS works to create a youth-, family-, and faculty-friendly presence within the school, founded on cooperative relationships, community, and direct communication. The SLS can provide the full continuum of care; specific areas of focus include prevention education, Help Zone (an alternative to suspension) services, and immediate crisis response. SLS will also deliver a variety of best-practice, research-based services (e.g., groups, workshops, curricula). The SLS also provides access to additional resources from The Center for Youth.

In addition, the Social Learning Specialist/Community Resource Navigator works closely with the Community School Coordinator and with community members and families and, in some ways, is charged with "lowering" the school walls by spearheading the two-way connection between community members (including parents) and the school. The role will require flexible hours to accommodate evening and weekend events. This work entails strong interpersonal skills and cultural competence; evidence of community relationships and organizational capacity; and the ability to manage partnerships.

Schedule: Full time 11- month position. Work hours may overlap the school day (before and after school). Special events or projects may occasionally take place during the early evenings and/or on a weekend.

Location: Rush Henrietta

Responsibilities:

• Administers, coordinates and oversees program (on-site) and support services in alignment with school and community school goals.


• Works in tandem with School Administrators and Community School Coordinator to ensure services are based on identified needs and meets with the administrators on a regular basis to review referrals, attendance trends, student concerns, and intervention effectiveness.


• Attend School Support Service meetings


• Implements restorative practices, including restorative conversations and re-entry planning, to build relationships, repair harm, and support successful return to class following conflict or disciplinary incidents.


• 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;


• Provides immediate response, de-escalation, and short-term support in alignment with school crisis protocols and within the scope of the position.


• Build/maintain trusted relationships with families, community institutions and leaders, and support school staff in doing the same


• Work with the Community School Coordinator to integrate the community school strategy into existing communication and operating structures at the school, ensuring that staff understand how it supports their educational agenda.


• Works closely with community and school partners to coordinate support, remove barriers to participation, and improve access to opportunities and services for students and families.


• Helps coordinate family- and community-facing events, resource connections, and partnership activities that increase school connectedness and strengthen trust between the school and the broader community.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Service or related field AND 1-3 years' related experience OR equivalent combination / Master's Degree preferred

Skills:

• Strong knowledge of Child and adolescent development


• Risk reduction and protective factors


• Child and adolescent development principles


• Strong crisis management and behavior management techniques


• Community resources


• Client advocacy


• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office

Pay Rate: $21- $23 per hour

The Center for Youth Provides Equal Employment Opportunities