Middle School Education Specialist

Location: Brooklyn, NY • Full-time hybrid schedule • $1,000 hiring incentive after 500 worked hours

About the Organization

MercyFirst is a not-for-profit human and social service agency founded in 1894 by the Sisters of Mercy. We address the emotional and physical needs of children and families in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and across Long Island through community-based prevention, family foster care, group homes, and short-term residential services for unaccompanied migrant children. Each year, MercyFirst serves over 3,000 children, teenagers, and families, helping them overcome obstacles and develop their full potential.

About the Program

The Bridges to the Future program supports foster care youth as they prepare for adulthood. It provides teens and young adults with job skills training, scholarship assistance for college or vocational school, help securing affordable housing, and life skills coaching to guide their transition from foster care to independence.

About the Role

Provide educational assistance and support for children and youth in the family foster care program, from early education through middle and high school. Assist with referrals to the Committee of Special Education, guide 5th and 8th grade students through the middle and high school application process, and advocate for students in IEP and educational meetings. Serve as the agency liaison to case planners, families, the NYC Department of Education, ACS Education Committee, Advocates for Children, schools, and other collaborating organizations to promote the educational best interests of children in care.

Responsibilities

• Utilize Department of Education data to track, report, and monitor the educational status of children with casework teams, parents, and resource parents.
• Support families with applications for enrichment programs such as Summer Rising and after-school programs.
• Ensure each child is placed in the appropriate educational setting, including early intervention, special education, gifted, and specialized programs.
• Coordinate referrals for free or low-cost tutoring services, monitor in-home tutoring progress, and track student outcomes.
• Submit referrals and coordinate with the Office of Pupil Transportation to arrange busing for eligible youth.
• Connect youth with quality schools, programs, resources, and opportunities aligned with their goals and provide educational advocacy.
• Collaborate with case planners, tutors, educational specialists, housing/employment specialists, care managers, teachers, guidance counselors, birth parents, foster parents, and other supports.
• Assist, encourage, and support youth in reaching their educational goals.
• Complete administrative tasks, including weekly data entry in CONNECTIONS and the Fair Futures online platform, timely entry of educational information in CONNECTIONS and Care4, submission of billing, and other monthly program reports.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by a supervisor or administrator.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health) and a minimum of 2 years of related work experience with at-risk or child welfare system-involved youth, or an Associate’s or accredited vocational degree with a minimum of 3 years of related work experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Outlook; some knowledge of Excel.
• Ability to file documentation accurately.
• Ability to engage with clients.
• Understanding of and willingness to commit to the agency’s Mission, core values, Sanctuary Commitments, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) principles.

Benefits

• A comprehensive health insurance package including medical, dental, and vision plans for you and your family.
• 403B retirement benefits.
• Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance.
• Generous paid time off (vacation, personal, sick, 12 paid holidays).
• Free employee assistance program through National EAP.
• Insurance discounts for staff and their families.
• Trainings to support professional and personal development.
• Employee wellness program.
• Employee recognition activities.

Pay

$50,000 – $53,000 per year