Senior Education Specialist (EFFC)

About the Role

The Senior Educational Specialist will maintain an active caseload and perform all core responsibilities of an Education Specialist while providing additional coordination, guidance, and support to the Education Team. This role supports the onboarding and training of new Education Specialists, assists with team-wide trackers, monitors tutoring services, and serves as a point of contact for Education Specialists needing assistance. The Senior Education Specialist also co-facilitates trainings, promotes best practices, and ensures compliance with educational mandates and agency expectations.

Responsibilities

• Support the onboarding and training of new Education Specialists through shadowing, coaching, and guidance during school visits and educational meetings.
• Assist with navigating Connections, updating education tabs, and documenting progress notes.
• Develop, maintain, and monitor team-wide trackers for educational processes and deadlines (e.g., preschool, Summer Rising, middle school, and high school applications).
• Monitor and track tutoring services and referrals across the Education Team.
• Compile team reinvestment logs into a comprehensive log for submission to the Education Supervisor and Director.
• Serve as a point of contact for Education Specialists needing assistance with coverage or additional support.
• Co-facilitate trainings for Education Specialists and staff on educational processes, procedures, and best practices.
• Troubleshoot barriers, share best practices, and promote consistency in educational advocacy and service delivery.
• Promote organization, consistency, accountability, and high-quality educational advocacy within the team.
• Review new intakes and psychological screenings/evaluations to address developmental and educational concerns.
• Assist with initiating Individualized Education Plan (IEP) evaluation processes.
• Submit and monitor referrals and evaluations for special education and early intervention services.
• Provide continuous support and training to foster parents, parents, and case planning teams.
• Serve as the agency liaison for school staff and guardians.
• Attend mandatory agency, ACS, and NYC DOE trainings to stay updated on policies and procedures.
• Maintain professional boundaries and keep case records and education data up to date.
• Document progress notes in Connections and maintain ongoing communication with foster parents and parents.
• Attend IEP and Turning 5 meetings and ensure documentation is filed appropriately.
• Work with Advocates for Children and other organizations for legal or advocacy support.
• Engage parents and foster parents with the School Based Support Team (SBST).
• Generate statistics and outcome information on education issues as required.
• Promote and model the seven Sanctuary Model commitments to create a non-violent and trauma-sensitive culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in education.
• Minimum of 2 years as a Fair Futures Coach or equivalent role in foster care/youth services strongly preferred.
• Solid knowledge of the NYC public school system, including resources, children’s rights, and DOE regulations/procedures.
• Experience with special education and early intervention.
• Ability to be flexible and work as a team.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, especially Word and Excel.
• Excellent written, communication, and organizational skills.
• Commitment to a strength-based and youth & family development perspective.

General Requirements

All staff is expected to be committed to the mission, vision, and values of Good Shepherd Services, including involvement in quality improvement activities and a willingness to work within a culturally diverse environment.

Pay

$53,000-$58,000/annually

Schedule

35 Hours/Week; Exempt

Location

7 West Burnside Avenue, 2nd Floor, Bronx, NY 10453