Educational Specialist

Basic Function

Under the direct supervision of the Vice President of Educational Services, the Educational Specialist will provide career exposure, college access advising, academic coaching, financial aid counseling, and enrichment services to participating 9th-12th grade students in assigned Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and college-enrolled students meeting age eligibility requirements. The Educational Specialist is also responsible for recruiting and retaining students at the assigned Chicago Public high school. The functions of the position are in accordance with all funding regulations and program requirements, including the U.S. Department of Education Title IV Higher Education Act, federally mandated TRIO program performance standards, the Department of Family Support Services (DFSS), the Department of Human Services (DHS) and all affiliated regulatory funding sources.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide academic advising, financial aid counseling, college placement, and career guidance for program-eligible participants aged 11-27 attending an assigned Chicago Public School or residing in and around the Chicagoland targeted service areas.
• Establish effective partnerships with counselors, teachers, and other school personnel to identify, recruit, engage, and retain prospective program participants.
• Perform comprehensive academic skills and career assessments to determine participants' needs and interests.
• Network and collaborate with colleges, universities, vocational and technical schools, and other shared stakeholders to identify educational and enrichment opportunities for program participants.
• Develop, implement, monitor, and track individual achievement plans to track students' progress and ensure academic, career, and post-secondary goals are met, and students' needs are addressed.
• Assess students' socio-economic needs, academic records, and career interests to recommend and counsel students on various postsecondary educational opportunities and career choices.
• Revise and recommend a plan to reflect a continuum of current services or identify untapped resources as dictated by the data.
• Assist in planning for, implementing, and attending parent information sessions, workshops, cultural and college field trips/events, and professional development activities. This includes completing and submitting college applications, financial aid forms, and identifying scholarship resources.
• Provide coaching, advising, and workshops to program participants that may include but are not limited to the following topics: college placement and admissions processes; career assessment and exploration; academic guidance; financial aid & FAFSA assistance; ACT/SAT prep, goal setting, and study skills; researching and applying for scholarships; and personal statement development.
• Maintain a flexible schedule to accommodate occasional evenings, weekends, and rare holiday appointments, events, fairs, college tours, workshops, and other related outreach opportunities.
• Secure required documentation, monitor and record participant progress toward project objectives in the agency data tracking system, compile and prepare/submit accurate and timely reports, assist in the preparation of statistical information for federal reporting and audit, and maintain accurate, up-to-date records of time, effort, and attendance for grant compliance.
• Attend agency center and other job-related meetings and training as required.
• Develop strategies for building a rapport with school administrators, faculty, colleges' admissions and financial aid counselors, community leaders and E.T.S. cohorts.
• Provide hands-on experience in forming a viable plan for capturing the interest of potential program participants and determining their eligibility.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

• Teamwork: Is an effective team player who adds complementary skills and contributes valuable ideas, opinions, and feedback. Communicates in an open and candid manner and can be counted upon to fulfill any commitments made to others on the team.
• Innovation: Looks out for new and innovative approaches that will improve efficiency. Embraces and champions new ideas and encourages others to do likewise. Recognizes and rewards people and teams who are creative and innovative.
• Excellence: Has established a track record of producing work that is highly accurate, demonstrates attention to detail, and reflects well on the organization. Is personally committed to high-quality work and encourages others to have similar standards.

Child Development & Youth Services Essential Competencies

• Adaptable: Adjust to new conditions, changes, challenges, and experiences. Is open-minded, self-aware, recognizes and appreciates different ideas and approaches, believes in and actively participates in change processes, is flexible and seeks to identify multiple ways to solve problems, and is optimistic.
• Effective Communicator: Is understood by others (both verbally and in writing) and understands the ideas and perspectives of others. Delivers messages with clear, thoughtful, and concise information; listens by checking for understanding and is open to others' viewpoints; responds to questions and requests in a timely manner; accurately documents interactions/meetings/action steps; and shows empathy and compassion.
• Uses a Growth Mindset: Embraces their potential to learn and grow and views successes and failures as development opportunities. Uses challenges, mistakes, and obstacles as opportunities for growth; is honest, open-minded, and accountable about their own growth and learning needs; seeks out and utilizes feedback and other resources; and is curious and open to new ideas and experiences.
• Has Integrity: Is honest and fair with others; follows through on promises; treats clients, coworkers, and others with dignity and respect; produces high-quality work to benefit the organization, peers, colleagues, and those we serve; and exhibits strong moral principles by doing the right thing.
• Collaborator: Cooperates and works well with peers, colleagues and team members by giving and receiving ideas, comments, and feedback with an open mind. Contributes ideas, resources, and information with others; demonstrates capacity to understand and relate to others' feelings and circumstances without judgment; is willing to help others and take accountability for their share of the work; works to resolve disputes or conflicts and compromise when appropriate; and displays a positive attitude and demeanor when engaging with others.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in counseling, education, social work, or related field
• Two years of experience working with youth in crisis, coupled with knowledge relevant to community resources and opportunities for educational advancement

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Capacity to problem solve, handle crises, and work with families and children of various cultures from low-income backgrounds
• Provide an empathic, nonjudgmental, respectful, and professional approach to working with families

Compensation

$50,000 - $52,000 Annually

Benefits

• Paid vacation
• Paid Sick Time
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 403(b) Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-term & short-term disability
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Family medical leave
• Tuition reimbursement