Education Specialist – Literacy Educator @ MS 136/821

JOB TITLE: Education Specialist – Literacy Educator @ MS 136/821

DEPARTMENT: School-Based Programming at MS 136/821

REPORTS TO: Program Director

Exemption: Non-Exempt

CENTER FOR FAMILY LIFE, a nationally recognized social service program in Sunset Park Brooklyn, is seeking an Education Specialist to work with middle school participants. Our community-school partnership at this middle school site provides a diverse range of daily in-school and out-of-school activities.

Programs are implemented by professional social workers, artists, educators, and young adults from the community, in collaboration with NYC Department of Education teachers and administrators. Our ideal candidate has knowledge and experience in literacy skill-building through the arts and will bring a passion for neighborhood-based work to enrich the lives of youth, families, and community.

I. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to

• Create, implement, and facilitate arts-based literacy skill-building activities in an after-school setting
• Facilitate two, small-group book clubs for middle school participants that build vocabulary,
• Prepare and print up-to-date lesson plans for each activity
• Create interactive/hands-on, project-based literacy activities in an after-school setting
• Utilize group-management skills to engage participants in a non-traditional classroom setting
• Contribute to the planning and execution of special events, staff development training, and other community-building activities
• Attend weekly professional development meetings

II. QUALIFICATIONS

• Education/Degree minimum requirement: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Strong Youth Development background
• Has skills working with youth of all ages and engaging them in critical thinking through engaging activities
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
• Flexibility and the ability to work well as a member of a team of different disciplines (artists, teachers, young-adult staff)
• Interested in managing and creating positive experiences for groups of youth, including participants with special needs and challenging behaviors
• Bilingual: English/Mandarin/Cantonese or English/Spanish, preferred

III. RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS

• Build and maintain close, daily interactions with participants, co-workers, and supervisors
• Engage in discussions and training regarding receiving/providing information, discussing arising issues, explaining or interpreting guidelines/instructions, and instructing
• Have a strong sensitivity to cultural differences present among staff and clients within our organization.
• Possess a strong belief in people’s ability to grow and change
• Forge a mutually respectful partnership with persons served and their families
• Maintain contact as needed with participant’s families, school personnel, and external community groups to co-exist in the same space

IV. WORKING CONDITIONS

• Actively engage and interact with children each day
• May be required to be active by walking, bending, standing, squatting, or sitting on the floor with children
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a high energy level
• Be comfortable performing multifaceted projects in conjunction with day-to-day activities
• May be exposed to all weather conditions and might be required to work in various temperatures in order to facilitate activities in various locations inside and outside of the school building

V. SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY

The Education Specialist / Literacy Educator ensures that the COMPASS program curriculum and goals are aligned with NYS Next Generation Learning Standards for English Language Arts and complement school-day instruction. This role supervises and collaborates with Activity Specialists in the creation of literacy-based productions, exhibits, and community events. The Education Specialist / Literacy Educator receives pre-service training, and weekly supervision, and participates in weekly professional development meetings.

The comprehensive benefits package includes four weeks of paid vacation, fourteen paid holidays, medical, dental, and life insurance, and retirement benefits. Additional voluntary benefits include disability, critical illness, and accident.

Bilingual: English/Mandarin/Cantonese or English/Spanish, preferred