Education Services Lead

Job Title: Educational Services Lead

Department: Learning and Career Development

Reports to: Associate Director of Learning and Career Development

Direct Reports: ELA/Writing Coordinator, Math/Science Coordinator, Teen Learning and Enrichment Coordinator

FLSA Status/Hours: 40 hours/week

Classification: Essential-Onsite

ABOUT US

At A Place Called Home (APCH), we envision a world where your zip code does not determine your future; where all children have the opportunity to find happiness and success in life. For 30 years, we have served our community — inspiring, encouraging, and supporting the young people in South Los Angeles to achieve social, emotional, and economic success. APCH operates as a dynamic after-school, non-profit youth and community center in South Central Los Angeles, providing year-round programs and services for over 750 youth in the arts, higher education, career readiness, mentoring, sports, urban agriculture, counseling, and case management. As youth participate in our programs, they discover interests and talents and develop a better sense of themselves and their place in the world around them. Our goal is to support youth to stay in school, pursue higher education, enter and succeed in the workforce, and become active community members capable of making positive change in the world in which they live

SUMMARY

The Educational Services Lead, under the direction of the Associate Director of Learning and Career Development, ensures day-to-day operations, academic programming, instruction and member support are managed effectively within the Educational Services program. Working closely with Workforce Readiness, Mentoring, and Higher Education teams, the Lead ensures that academic interventions, assessments, and program support are provided seamlessly, empowering members to succeed from elementary through college.

The ideal candidate possesses a strong teaching background, thrives in a collaborative environment, and demonstrates excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. This role requires adaptability, an innovative mindset, and a strong commitment to youth development and member success.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Programmatic Responsibilities

• Provide direct oversight of the Educational Services team to ensure alignment across programs, foster collaboration, and support staff in delivering high-quality academic programming and member services.
• Delivers engaging and effective classroom instruction to support members’ academic growth, reinforcing core subjects, study skills, and critical thinking.
• Oversee cross-content homework support and supervise: mathematics, sciences, and english language arts programming.
• Develop, maintain, and implement systems to collect academic data, track member performance, and provide feedback to improve instructional quality and outcomes for members.
• Support instructors with instructional strategies that address diverse learning needs, including English language learners and members with IEPs.
• Coordinate curriculum development, lesson planning, and classroom observation to ensure quality instructional delivery.
• Manage and supervise members during program hours, special events, field trips, and summer camp.

Academic Persistence and Outcome Tracking

• Establish and monitor specific academic success metrics, including attendance, retention, and performance targets, and provide regular reports to the Associate Director.
• Create individualized academic support plans in partnership with department staff for members facing academic challenges.
• Conduct regular analysis of member performance data to identify and address trends, ensuring continuous improvement in member support strategies.
• Integrate feedback from members to adapt and refine programming, ensuring the department remains responsive to member needs and interests.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Assist the Associate Director with departmental budgeting, purchasing, and program reporting.
• Oversee data tracking for attendance, member engagement metrics, and academic progress.
• Participate in hiring, training, and supervision of staff, interns, and volunteers.
• Ensure timely updates of the APCH Library, including management of literacy initiatives such as reading clubs and book giveaways.
• Coordinate special initiatives and programming (e.g., STEM, literacy events) to enhance academic offerings and align with department goals.

Partnerships and Collaboration

• Build partnerships with local schools and community organizations to support member success, secure educational resources, and enhance program offerings; including but not limited to teaching residents, angeleno corps, etc. .
• Communicate with parents, guardians, and partner organizations regarding member progress and academic support, establishing regular channels of engagement like family education nights and monthly newsletters.
• Partner with departments (e.g., Dance, Athletics, Peer Mentoring) to integrate academic support for members involved in cross-departmental programs.
• Collaborate with the Workforce Readiness, Higher Education, and Mentoring departments to align academic programming with member readiness for college and career pathways, ensuring regular cross-departmental progress check-ins and member support updates.

Professional Development and Staff Support

• Identify and facilitate professional development opportunities for direct reports, focusing on teaching practices, classroom management, and youth engagement strategies.
• Mentor program staff, fostering a collaborative, solution-oriented culture and supporting staff in effective time and project management.

Technology Integration in Learning

• Promote and integrate technology within the instructional and administrative processes to enhance learning outcomes, data tracking, and, where appropriate, support remote or hybrid learning for members.

Other Duties

• Maintain a culture of positive, safe, and accountable learning aligned with APCH’s mission and vision.
• Uphold ethical standards, including APCH’s mandate to report suspicions of abuse.
• Attend required program and professional development meetings.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned to support APCH’s objectives

Qualifications

The ideal Educational Services Lead will be a high-performing individual dedicated to achieving service excellence and driven by the agency’s H.E.A.R.T core values: honesty, empathy, agency, respect and transparency. This role also demands strong competencies in leadership, motivating others, managing systems, communication, and work quality.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in an academic setting, preferably working directly with underserved youth.
• Background in education, teaching, or academic programming, with leadership experience preferred.
• Experience working in communities facing socioeconomic challenges.
• Bilingual in Spanish is preferred.

Technical and Performance Skills:

• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent time management, multitasking, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with Google Suite; experience with digital learning tools is an asset.
• Excel
• Ability to innovate and provide creative solutions.

Physical and Mental Demands

• Work in a dynamic, high-noise youth center environment.
• Standing and walking daily; extended periods of sitting for administrative tasks.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.

A Place Called Home provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including but not limited to pregnancy), gender expression, gender identity or sexual orientation, military and veteran status, medical condition, ancestry, marital status, citizenship national origin, age, physical and/or mental disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, A Place Called Home complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location where the company has facilities.

Please let us know if you are an APCH Alumni/ae

Background screening required

A Place Called Home participates in E-Verify

• Medical & Dental (HMO & PPO) Plans, Vision (VSP)
• Life Insurance - 30 days
• 50K Life insurances is at no cost to employees
• FSA, DFSA and Supplemental Insurance
• Colonial Life & Accident Insurance
• Employee Assistant Program
• 401k Retirement Plan with Company match up to 4%
• Generous Time off: Paid week of Winter and Summer break.

Bilingual in Spanish is preferred.