Program Assistant (Youth Violence Reduction Specializations)

Program Assistant (Youth Violence Reduction)

This is a full-time 12-month, PFT represented position. The salary grade is 0020 which starts at $35,035.00 for new PFT members. Please note that the final salary will be determined by our Classification and Compensation team after reviewing the candidate's experience and considering our internal salary equity.

Title: Program Assistant (Youth Violence Reduction)

Department: School Safety

Reports To: Administrative Superior

The School District of Philadelphia is committed to becoming the fastest improving District in the country and transforming the educational opportunities it offers to our city's more than 200,000 students. The District seeks leaders who have a passion for working with schools and communities who are committed to ensuring all students achieve. Serving a population as diverse as ours requires creativity, commitment and vision. Will you join us?

Job Summary:

• Performs paraprofessional program support work in the assigned area assisting with the implementation of programmatic activities.
• Provides a variety of facilitative services and serves as a resource to the external agencies that have partnered with the District to provide programs and services.
• Addresses youth violence and gang involvement in and around schools.
• YVRI is an implementation of the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Comprehensive Gang Model in a school setting. YVRI seeks to prevent and address youth violence and gang involvement among students enrolled in the School District of Philadelphia.

Essential Functions:

• Assists in the coordination, implementation and operation of one or more program initiatives in the office; participates in the development of programmatic activities.
• Keeps abreast of all reporting requirements for the program(s); works with the appropriate staff to ensure that all deadlines are met on a timely basis.
• Processes paperwork and documentation related to program activities.
• Collects, collates and consolidates paperwork and data from the program or participating organizations.
• Creates and maintains databases of information related to contracted agencies or program; enters new and edits existing information in the database; extracts information from the database to create spreadsheets and generate a variety of reports.
• Disseminates information to agency partners or schools and appropriate offices.
• Keeps superiors and staff apprised of program activities and developments and provides up-to-date information.
• Assists agencies, superiors or staff with the completion of documents related to programs and activities; ensures that documents are completed accurately and are submitted in a timely manner.
• Manages a caseload of up to 15 youth at risk for violence and gang involvement.
• Provides weekly contact, support, and mentorship to youth on caseload.
• Links youth and families to opportunities, services, and assistance programs in the community.
• Attends weekly team and multi-disciplinary team meetings with project partners.
• Provides timely documentation of all activities using designated case management software to maintain accountability and support data reporting requirements.
• Clearly communicates ideas in both written and verbal form.
• Understands and relates to the needs of program participants of diverse ethnic, cultural, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Works effectively with high-risk youth populations.

Qualifications:

Minimum Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Three years of full-time, paid experience providing support and assistance to staff in the development and/or operation of programmatic activities for school-age children and/or identifying the social service needs of students and their families in a large urban setting and/or developing and maintaining databases.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge of:
• Microsoft Word and Excel.
• the social, economic and health problems common in urban communities.
• community resources available to meet social, economic and health needs.
• Demonstrated ability to:
• identify and resolve problems related to programmatic activities.
• use and operate a personal computer.
• communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Additional Requirements for the Youth Violence Reduction Specialty:

• Demonstrated knowledge of:
• the principles, practices, and techniques of case management.
• the practices and techniques of providing students and families with optimal service.
• school-based programs.
• personal computer software applications that are used to create reports and documents and to design spreadsheets.
• Demonstrated skill in:
• organization with attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to:
• provide resources available for the students and families.
• ensure case records meet documentation standards.
• analyze problems and data with discretion.
• use and operate a personal computer.
• use Microsoft Word and Excel proficiently.
• multi-task and handle detailed assignments.
• be self-directed and able to work independently.
• perform tasks with limited supervision.
• communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with students and families.
• maintain confidentiality.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Nondiscrimination: The School District of Philadelphia provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, disability, pregnancy, marital status, gender identity, or genetic information. Please refer to Board Policy 348 for further information regarding the District's commitment to Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices.