Educational Support Specialist - New Jersey

Position Summary

Right At School is seeking a dynamic and multifaceted Educational Support Specialist to play a vital role in fostering student success and overall program excellence. This position supports students by partnering with the curriculum, compliance, and field leadership teams to implement and maintain a quality, compliant, safe, and inclusive learning environment. You will be instrumental in creating a positive, safe, and inclusive learning environment where all students can thrive while ensuring program adherence to best practices and regulatory guidelines.

A Day in the Life of This Role

• Support multiple facets of the business, including, but not limited to, the following areas of responsibility:
• Instructional Staff and Team Development
• Model and guide instructional staff and program teams to effectively:
• Implement individualized and small-group instruction, lesson plans, and instructional activities while establishing and implementing best practices to reinforce lessons and help students master concepts.
• Adapt materials to meet the diverse needs of students and support those with special needs by implementing accommodations and modifications outlined in their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 and/or ELL plans.
• Foster positive relationships with students, encouraging their participation and independence by promoting positive behavior and helping develop self-regulation skills.
• Provide direction and behavioral support to students and educators, implementing behavior management plans and strategies.
• Implement personal care tasks, as needed and directed, to assist students.
• Maintain safety and cleanliness standards within program environments.
• Apply curriculum, behavioral management strategies, and child development best practices.
• Monitor and supervise students in various settings to ensure their safety and well-being while implementing inclusion practices and protocols.
• Collect student progress and behavior data and provide feedback to program and area managers.
• Collaborate with the Area Manager and Impact Team to identify students with unique needs and stay informed about updated inclusion practices and protocols.
• Program Quality and Continuous Improvement
• Support a high-quality, compliant, safe, and inclusive learning environment by:
• Supporting the implementation of quality assurance and safety protocols across programs.
• Conducting regular safety and program quality assessments of all program activities.
• Reviewing and updating safety procedures, emergency plans, and protocols regularly.
• Collaborating with program managers to identify areas for improvement in program quality and safety, and supporting the creation and implementation of improvement plans.
• Actively collaborating with the Impact Team to create and implement actionable plans for field operations effectiveness.
• Working closely with the Area Manager to implement district-specific goals and initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirement

• A Bachelor's degree in education, child development, social work, or a related field is preferred, though equivalent experience may be considered.
• Three (3) or more years of proven experience in youth development, after-school programming, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of program implementation, quality assurance, and best practices in youth education.
• Demonstrated ability to model, mentor, and train staff effectively.
• Familiarity with behavior management techniques and child development principles.
• Experience supporting inclusive environments for students with diverse needs.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Strong change agility and ability to effectively navigate and adapt to shifting goals and priorities.
• Prioritize critical tasks ahead of routine ones and prioritize schedule demands with an appreciation and recognition of key, critical issues.
• Multitask, meet deadlines, and adapt smoothly to rapidly shifting work priorities and schedules.
• Lift, carry, push, or pull up to 15 pounds for 25% or less of the workday.
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl for 25% or less of the workday.
• Stand, sit, walk, or move for prolonged periods throughout the day.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits: various health, dental, vision coverage plans as well as 401K, life insurance, short-term disability, and more!
• Paid time off.
• Free tuition! Enroll your eligible children in any participating Right At School before and after school program tuition-free so that you can focus on your career, knowing they are in good hands!
• We provide qualified new parents with up to eight (8) weeks of paid leave to help families bond with their new child and balance work and home needs.
• Company technology is provided as needed for the role.

Why Work For Right At School

• Your work will directly impact the children, parents, and communities we serve.
• We offer a work environment that is diverse, inclusive, and welcoming to all.
• We believe in gratitude, recognition, and appreciation for our incredible staff.
• We believe in open communication and are not hierarchical.
• We provide opportunities for professional development, as your learning will never stop at Right at School.
• An online and mobile HR platform where you can access your info with easy-to-use tech 24/7.
• Our culture is fun, energetic, highly collaborative, and ego-free.
• A full suite of benefits and perks to select from.

Physical Requirements

• Make independent decisions on issues that do not require oversight.
• Prioritize critical tasks ahead of routine ones and prioritize schedule demands with an appreciation and recognition of key, critical issues.
• Multitask, meet deadlines, and adapt smoothly to rapidly shifting work priorities and schedules.
• Lift, carry, push, or pull up to 15 pounds for 25% or less of the workday.
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl for 25% or less of the workday.
• Stand, sit, walk, or move for prolonged periods throughout the day.