FFC-Educational Advocate

About Rising Ground

Founded as an orphanage in 1831, Rising Ground has evolved to serve community needs. Driven by the belief that each person can thrive with hope and opportunity, Rising Ground offers care and pathways to positive change. Each year, Rising Ground positively impacts the lives of over 72,000 individuals through 101 programs across 138 sites in New York City and Westchester. Our commitment to diversity is reflected in our staff, which mirrors the communities we serve.

About The Role

The Education Specialist provides educational advocacy, monitors academic performance, makes referrals for tutoring and extracurricular activities, and assists with middle school selection processes for 5th grade students and their families. The Specialist ensures that the list of middle schools the student submits are quality, best-fit schools.

What You’ll Do

• Follow up regularly with Tutor Coaches regarding students' performance, needs, and concerns.
• Connect students to afterschool and summer extracurricular activities.
• Consistently update the Care 4 platform with contacts, tutoring updates, and relevant information about students.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with schools; provide advocacy on behalf of students.
• Work with Case Planners, foster parents, birth parents/caregivers, and tutors to address educational concerns.
• Negotiate with DOE staff to ensure the implementation of recommended and appropriate educational services.
• Ensure school stability if a student relocates.
• Collect, review, and track NYC DOE monthly data on attendance, grades, promotion status, school enrollment, tutoring history, etc.
• Use data to identify struggling students and work with Case Planners and parents to improve attendance and academic supports.
• During the Middle School application process, ensure that the list of schools the student submits are quality, best-fit schools and record this list in the online platform.

Your Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and knowledge of child welfare system (1 year of experience preferred)
• Good verbal and written communication skills are essential.
• Computer proficiency, knowledge of Connections, and bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus.

Benefits Offerings

• 11 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Time
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Personal days
• Insurance Coverage:
• Medical - 3 plan options
• Dental - 2 plan options
• Vision - 1 plan option

Work Environment

Clinic/Field/Corporate Office

Position Type/Expected Hours Of Work

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday in Brooklyn or Bronx. Work hours options are 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, 9:30 am - 5:30 pm, 10 am - 6 pm.

Additional Requirements

• Authorized to work in the U.S.
• Ability to work in-person in New York City (NY) for at least 3 days or more per week.
• Ability to travel to other Rising Ground sites (if required).

Application & Interview Process

The interview process may vary slightly, but generally includes: Application review by Talent Acquisition Team member, phone screen with Talent Acquisition Team member, interview with Hiring Manager, panel interview with key partners, and decision and feedback.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Rising Ground fully complies with equal treatment of all employees and applicants for employment without unlawful discrimination as to an individual's perceived or actual race, creed, color, national origin, alienate, citizenship status, gender, age, disability, marital status, partnership status, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, or veteran status in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, layoff and termination and all other terms and conditions of employment.