Education/Vocational Specialist - NSP

Educational/Vocational Specialist

The Educational/Vocational Specialist will provide activities that promote educational engagement and success for youth in both NSP Blum and Rose. As a significant part of the treatment team, the Educational/Vocational Specialist will assist in reenrolling youth and families in an appropriate school/vocational program, provide school advocacy, and offer support for developing academic, vocational, and job-related skills to promote self-sufficiency.

Title: Educational/Vocational Specialist

Reports to: Director of Social Services

Location: 280 Shepherd Ave, Brooklyn, NY/ 280 Vermont St, Brooklyn, NY

Hours: 35 Hours; Non-Exempt. Monday-Friday, Flexible hours with the ability to work 12 pm to 8 pm two days a week.

Salary: $50,000 - $57,765

Major Duties

• Conduct individual assessments and develop educational plans during intake and at regular intervals to support youth academic success.
• Collaborate with the treatment team to design and implement coordinated, holistic service plans by participating in FTCs and weekly team meetings.
• Drive the (re)enrollment process by actively engaging youth, families, and the NSP team to secure placement in community schools or vocational programs.
• Monitor and document the academic progress of Good Shepherd services NSP participants enrolled in District 79 – Passages Academy, ensuring timely and consistent follow-up and support.
• Visit Passages Academy twice a month to collaborate with the school staff and to observe, assess, monitor, and support the youth's academic performance in the classroom.
• Lead the planning and execution of educational and vocational events and projects to promote youth engagement and development.
• Provide specialized support for youth and parents for students with special education needs, ensuring access to appropriate services, assessments, and accommodations.
• Facilitate weekly educational, vocational, and job-readiness groups for NSP participants to support skills for academic success.
• Identify and develop academic tutoring resources tailored to individual youth needs.
• Conduct ongoing individual meetings with youth and families to assess progress and provide guidance and refer them of long-term education resources in the community.
• Build and maintain educational/vocational resource networks, including college access, special education services, post-secondary training programs, paid internships and job training programs.
• Serve as liaison with the NYC Department of Education and ACS to advocate for youth educational needs.
• Develop and refer NSP participants to employment and internship opportunities, including SYEP, Work Learn and Grow, part-time, and full-time placements.
• Maintain accurate documentation of all activities, including intake, collateral contacts, referrals, contacts with youth, and collaboration with stakeholders.
• Engage in continuous communication and planning with the NSP teams (Rose and Blum) regarding educational and vocational goals, needs, and services.
• Provide training and technical assistance to staff on the educational and vocational needs of youth participants.
• Advocate for youth and families in interactions with DOE, ACS, and other external partners.
• Utilize Sanctuary Model tools—such as safety plans, community meetings, psycho-educational groups, and red flag reviews—to foster a trauma-informed, non-violent culture.
• Promote and model the seven Sanctuary Model commitments to support a safe and healing environment.
• Integrate the Sanctuary Model SELF framework (Safety, Emotional Management, Loss, and Future) into daily practice to ensure quality care.
• Coordinate with Case Planners, Social Workers, and Youth Development Counselors on educational planning, and document all contacts and notes in Connections.
• Collaborate with the case planner to prepare educational reports/updates for court proceedings.
• Participate in NSP program events, including but not limited to trips, family night and recreation activities.
• Attend training as assigned by the supervisor to enhance professional development.
• Must be willing and able to utilize Safety Crisis Management if and when necessary

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree requires plus youth development experience and an understanding of the special needs of adolescents in care. Must have strong communication skills (written and verbal).
• Prior experience working with the school system, as well as the ability to set up a network of community resources.
• Must be able to make home visits, escort youth to school, home, and other appointments.
• Must have a NYS driver's license and be willing to help with transportation, as subject to program needs.
• Must be able to use public transportation, including subways or buses, when required to travel.
• Must have a commitment to work from a strength-based, youth development, and trauma-informed perspective.
• Must be a strong advocate and understand the obstacles of navigating educational systems

Good Shepherd Services is a leading multi-service agency with more than 85 programs that serve over 30,000 youth and families each year – and builds on their strengths to help them gain skills for success. At Good Shepherd we respect the dignity and worth of every person and reject intolerance, inequity and injustice in whatever form it may take. Voted one of the top 100 places to work in NYC by Crain's New York, Good Shepherd Services offers a fantastic work environment, a collaborative team dedicated to fulfilling our mission, and an amazing array of benefits. Join our team and help make a difference!

General Requirements: All staff are expected to be committed to the mission, vision, and values of Good Shepherd Services, which includes involvement in quality improvement activities and a willingness and ability to work within a culturally diverse environment.

Good Shepherd Services is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, participants, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors. We do not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services.