Education Specialist F/T POSITION CLOSED

About Phipps Neighborhoods:
Phipps Neighborhoods helps children, youth, and families in low-income communities rise above poverty. We work in South Bronx neighborhoods where we can address the greatest barriers to lasting success through education and career programs, and access to community resources.

We developed a Community Impact model to maximize our ability to provide communities with the resources needed to increase opportunities, strengthen neighborhoods and transcend poverty. This model is marked by four key characteristics: targeted program areas, an integrated approach, a continuous improvement strategy and a geographic focus.

Our work is focused on impact and we are committed to ensuring our programs have real results. Measuring outcomes is a fundamental part of how we work. Through our centralized database, we track individual participants across multiple programs, ensuring they have all the resources they need to be self-sufficient. At the same time, we analyze our program management and our impact on participants so we can make adjustments and optimize in real time.

Position Summary:
As part of the Education and Learning Initiative, the Education Specialist will be part of a team responsible for guiding the design and implementation of instructional programming at Phipps Neighborhoods. The Education Specialist will facilitate development and execution of academic interventions and learning strategies to support the individual learning strengths of our diverse population of learners. S/he will provide expert instructional support and training for staff, and be integrally involved in building and refining curricula and assessment instruments.
 
Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the design, support, and effective implementation of youth-friendly, goal-oriented instruction that results in academic success for all students.
• Serve as an organizational expert in all aspects of teaching and learning, including current trends and research in the field of education.
• Forge collaborations with instructional staff across the agency to ensure that curriculum and instruction meet the needs of a diverse population of learners, is aligned with Common Core State Standards, and meets contractual expectations and benchmarks.
• Develop and refine curriculum and instruction practices at Phipps Neighborhoods.
• Institute curricular and instructional approaches that infuse work readiness techniques and basic skills education; evaluate the effectiveness of such approaches, and make appropriate refinements.
• Craft and implement academic intervention strategies that address the individualized learning strengths of a diverse population of learners.
• Design assessment and goal setting instruments and oversee staff and volunteers through the implementation of these processes.
• Coordinate comprehensive academic services for special populations of students.
• Conduct periodic audits of instructional programming to ensure program quality, including sound provision of instruction, to help ensure the achievement of student goals.
• Work with instructional and administrative staff to set high and measurable goals for student achievement.
• Provide on-going instructional and curriculum development support for instructional staff and volunteers by conducting training, on-site coaching, and resource development.
• Demonstrate an understanding and practice of the principles of positive youth development.
• Attend all relevant meetings, trainings, workshops, outside events and organization-wide activities.
• Handle additional responsibilities and functions as assigned by Director of Learning and/or Senior Director of Learning and Career Development.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in education or related field required; Master's degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in the field of education, preferably including a combination of classroom teaching and administrative experience, in both school and out of school time settings.
• 2-3 years of experience in youth and/or workforce development.
• Experience in training and supporting pedagogical staff.
• Demonstrated record in achieving results with low-income, urban adolescents.
• Proven experience in guiding the development of curricula by other educators/youth workers.
• Familiarity with research-based approaches to hands-on, experiential, community–based and/or project based learning models, differentiated instruction, mixed-skill and age groupings, culturally relevant teaching practices, formative assessment techniques and working with English Language Learners and students who are striving learners.
• Strong knowledge of the academic and social needs of youth who are both in and out of school.
• Ability to participate as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Understanding of and ability to meet performance-based outcomes.
• Ability to adapt quickly to change and work within a results-oriented environment.
• Intermediate level computer skills.
• Enthusiasm, creativity, initiative – and a sense of humor are a MUST!

 
How to apply:
In your cover letter please outline why this position is of interest, exactly how your experience matches the qualifications stated and what you believe differentiates you from other candidates.  Additionally, please provide your salary requirements.  Submissions without cover letters and salary requirements will not be considered. Please forward your resume and cover letter to Melissa Liwanag  mliwanag@phippsny.org with "Education Specialist" in the subject line.