Job Description

Education Specialist ( Part-Time, regular)

We are currently seeking a Part-Time Education Specialist to join our team and support youth and young mothers in reaching their educational goals. Working primarily on

Mondays and Tuesdays (mandatory),

with the potential

to add Wednesdays to support internal programming

, this role offers

15-22.5 hours per week of impactf

ul, hands-on work.

The Education Specialist provides one-on-one educational support, facilitates workshops, and engages in outreach and short-term support services that help remove barriers to learning. You'll play a key role in guiding participants through high school completion, adult upgrading, or post-secondary planning, while also collaborating closely with internal teams and external partners to deliver wraparound services.

This is a great opportunity for someone who thrives in a flexible, participant-centered environment and is passionate about creating equitable access to education for youth from care and young mothers.

Job Summary:

Aunt Leah's Education Program is a multi-funded program designed to support participants with their educational goals, navigate the educational system and available resources and supports. This position will support our current education programs' objectives, including to increase access and support for at-risk youth and single mothers in completing education goals. The Education Specialist works one-on-one with participants, on their education goals ranging from accessing adult upgrading to post-secondary education. In addition, the Education Specialist will take on an advocacy role with schools, as well as community partners, and provide short term life skills and collaborative wrap-around supports with internal programs and external partners to assist youth in overcoming barriers that prevent them from having to educational success.

Reports To:

Program Coordinator

Compensation:

$ 24.44/hr.

Status:

Part-Time, Regular

Qualifications:

Post-secondary education in Social Sciences, Social Worker Diploma, Child & Youth Care Diploma, and/or a related combination of education and experience

Experience in social support field, career development, education mentoring/coaching and/or youth engagement or related experience

Requirements:

Undergo and maintain a satisfactory Criminal Record Check (including vulnerable persons)

Undergo and maintain a satisfactory Local Police Information Check (including vulnerable persons)

Undergo & Maintain a MCFD Contracted Agency Caregiver Clearance

First Aid - Level C w/ CPR

Non-Violent Crisis Intervention

Agrees to the Society's Code of Ethics

Follows Aunt Leah's Practice Guidelines

Assets:

1 year experience working with youth in or from government care and/or at-risk youth

1 to 2 years of relevant experience in a similar role

Experience with advocacy

Experience in foundational literacy/numeracy tutoring

A valid driver's license and access to a vehicle

Produce a clear Driver's Abstract

Proof of vehicle business insurance and $5 million liability

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSA):

Ability to follow and implement program policies and procedures

Interpersonal Abilities & Team Work Skills

Multicultural/Sensitivity/Awareness

Problem-Solving/Reasoning/Creativity

Crisis Management/Conflict resolution skills

Ability to work independently

BC High School Education System

Analytical/Research

Flexibility/Adaptability in managing multiple priorities

Computer/Technical Literacy

Motivational Interviewing

Report Writing & Documentation

Ability to teach and mentor life skills

Trauma Informed Care

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Direct Service

Work with participants to create their own plan for high school graduation and beyond

Build participant's problem-solving and self-advocacy skills

Provides support in resolving education-related barriers by connecting participants to resources such as tutoring, special education services, transcript retrieval, disciplinary support, financial aid, and college or career preparation

Reduce barriers to education, specific to former youth from care and single mothers through assistance in goal planning, system navigation, accessing tutoring, obtaining documents, applying for bursaries and supporting transitions into school

Maintain documentation standards including case notes, internal reporting, direct service notes, individual educational plan and service agreement

Liaise with appropriate staff from other programs to provide wrap around support for participants

Works with the team to keep up to date on the latest news/resources on bursaries/grants/tuition fee waivers available for current and/or former youth in care; assist in sustaining Aunt Leah's in-house funding applications for education

Education-related workshop facilitation as needed

Provide outreach support and other needed support services to participants as directed

Contribute to overall office-wide effort in welcoming and engaging participants in drop-in and group activities, helping to create and maintain a supportive, inclusive, and inviting environment for all

2. Advocacy:

Help students access education-related support services

Advocating externally and internally to our academic bursary committee to help participants access bursary funding

Assist participants in accessing adult upgrading options to complete their high school. in making up credits when necessary and identifying alternative programs to stay engaged and on track to graduate

Identify and refer Aunt Leah's Education Program participants who may benefit from additional internal programming supports or external sources in the community

Maintain connection with referring agencies to ensure continuum of support in place for participants

Train caregivers, social workers, and participants themselves to advocate for students' educational rights

Knowledgeable and updated on educational opportunities within the various Ministries (MCFD, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Development)

Researches Post-Secondary programs and develops connections and networks on behalf of Aunt Leah's that will benefit the participants served)

3. Financial Responsibilities:

Responsible for providing receipts for Float Visa card purchases, processing cheque requests in line with Aunt Leah's polices and procedures used for participants

Ensures that expenses follow budget guidelines

4. Health & Safety:

Ensure that drop in/resource area is clean and tidy and maintained to Health and Safety Standards

Participate in annual review of Aunt Leah's Health and Safety Policies and Procedures

Participate in emergency drills in the office as required

5. Communication:

Internal:

Complete daily log, monthly outcomes tracking, case notes in Outcomes Tracking and Information System (OTIS) database, and critical incident reports as needed

Attend meetings, including team meetings and monthly Staff Development

Collaborate with Aunt Leah's life skills, employment, housing and residential housing departments

Liaise and seek direction from the Program Coordinator in crisis situations

Attend Aunt Leah's events as directed by Supervisor; this may include but is not limited to youth recreational overnight trips, day trips, and workshops, etc.

External:

Ensure participant numbers and activities are maintained to a certain level to ensure continued funding

Liaise with community partners, professionals and other stakeholders with the goal of connecting youth to relevant services and agencies

6. Confidentiality:

Communication between the Education Specialist and participant is confidential

Support Workers will follow Aunt Leah's Society Policies and Procedures and Aunt Leah's Code of Ethics (includes Child and Youth Care Association of BC Code of Ethics, Aunt Leah's Privacy Policy, BC Rights of Youth in care & UN Rights of the Child)

7. On Call

:

Participate in on call as scheduled

While on call, is able to support and attend as required

Physical Demands:

This position requires some lifting of heavier objects

Working Conditions:

Hours of work are generally 2 - 3 days a week; (15 - 22.5 hours per week) to support operational programs held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 7.5 hours a day; generally, Monday to Friday (9:00 am to 5:00 pm); with occasional evening and weekend hours as operationally needed

This position may require working occasional evenings and weekends and travel to various locations within Metro Vancouver

Primarily based in an office setting with the possibility of remote work if required

On-call as scheduled on the on-call roster

Living Wage Employer:

As a certified living wage employer, we are committed to compensating our employees a living wage that allows working families to support the healthy development of their children and participate in the social, civic, and cultural lives of their communities. Embracing a living wage policy aligns with our Strategic Goals and provides our staff a great place to work.

We Offer:

A comprehensive benefits package that includes dental, extended health care including vision care and prescription, RRSP matching, generous vacation and personal time package.

To Apply:

Please send your resume and cover letter, quoting

Part-time Education Specialist

in the subject line. Short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews. We encourage qualified people of all gender expressions and identities, sexual orientations, visible minorities, Indigenous persons, and persons with disabilities to apply if you are interested in supporting our mission and mandate.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $24.44 per hour

Benefits:

Paid time off
Ability to commute/relocate:

New Westminster, BC V3M 4W6: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Work Location: In person