Education Specialist

Job Description

Position Title: Education Specialist

Reports to: Director of Operations

Classification: Exempt, Full-Time

WRK Group Overview

REACH serves as the community quarterback for comprehensive community revitalization in the Riverside neighborhood, located in northeast Wilmington, DE. REACH supports and leverages efforts and resources which promote upward economic mobility for Riverside residents. Employing the Purpose-Built Communities’ model, the revitalization focuses on three pillars: 1) redevelopment including high-quality, mixed-income housing, 2) a cradle to college and career readiness pipeline, and 3) community health, wellness, and safety initiatives. REACH, in collaboration with service partners Kingswood Community Center and The Warehouse (an innovative teen center with more than 150 partner organizations) work together to transform Riverside into a robust, healthy, and vibrant community. The Warehouse, REACH Riverside and Kingswood Community Center are collectively known as the "WRK Group".

Organization Overview

The mission of The Warehouse is to create a collaborative culture to revolutionize teen engagement in Wilmington with the vision of developing confident, courageous, and contributing young adults ready to take the next step in their lives. We will create a physical safe space and network of support for Wilmington teens while nurturing a “Culture of Opportunity” that stands in opposition to the culture of poverty and violence they currently encounter in their lives. To accomplish this, The Warehouse will bring together youth-serving partner organizations providing services focused on recreation, education, arts, career exploration, and health.

Position Summary

The Education Specialist is responsible for the planning and implementation of high-quality learning experiences. The Education Specialist leads educational programs, develops curricula, prepares lessons and relevant presentations/materials, and facilitates classes, workshops, and other training services. This position utilizes superior classroom management skills while building partnerships with families to assist them in identifying goals, strengths, needed services, and support systems.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. These essential functions are performed on a frequent and recurring basis by an incumbent and include but are not limited to:

Program Development:

• Develop curriculum and lesson plans that align with educational standards and organizational goals.
• Ensure the implementation of high-quality curricula and activities, following national best practices and standards in youth services.
• Write and edit curriculum, promotional materials, educational materials, and training manuals as appropriate to the program.
• Create and implement TWH tutoring program, including recruitment, training, and supervision of tutors.
• Plan and coordinate high school/college tours and HBCU fairs to get a firsthand view, answers to questions, and valuable information to help decide whether the institution aligns with their goals/interests.
• Develop a scholarship and grant resource guide (including Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) for youth transitioning to high school, college, and/or training programs.
  
  
  

Instruction and Facilitation:

• Facilitate SAT/ACT and GED preparation workshops and classes.
• Administer educational assessments, draft individualized education plans, and monitor/track progress toward goal attainment.
• Advise students with the college admissions process, including test preparation plans, personal statement, essays, and financial planning.
• Engage parents/caregivers and guidance counselors as a resource to support youth educational exploration and the high school and college matriculation process.
  
  
  

Community Engagement:

• Coordinate logistics, secure vendors, and manage event budgets to ensure successful implementation.
• Promote education initiatives through various communication channels, including email, intranet, and social media.
• Represent the organization at community events and meetings.
  
  
  

Resource Management:

• Manage supplies, equipment, and facilities to ensure they are available and in good condition.
• Prepare and maintain budgets for education programs and projects.
• Support funding opportunities and write grant proposals to support education initiatives.
  
  
  

Data Management and Reporting

• Implement program evaluations and assessments (e.g., surveys) to include program delivery, customer service, effectiveness, and progress toward employment objectives.
• Monitor program progress and outcomes to ensure they meet quality standards and comply with relevant regulations and requirements.
• Enter data into Delaware Job Link and Apricot systems and conduct file audits.
• Analyze information and maintain complete, organized, and accurate documentation (including email communication) on program performance and outcomes for management and stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and implement best practices to enhance service quality, delivery efficiency, and effectiveness.
  
  
  

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Competencies

• Be a self-starter, with a high level of initiative, and a proven proactive thinker who thrives in a dynamic and matrixed environment.
• Exercise initiative and sound judgment in analyzing complex issues and problems.
• Identify and evaluate alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Express ideas, concepts, and technical information clearly and concisely, both in writing and orally.
• Manage multiple projects with strong attention to detail and effective time management skills.
• Microsoft Office suite, database management, project management software, and applications such as Adobe proficiently.
• Be a team player, adapt to change and demonstrate flexibility as workstreams shift.
• Be culturally sensitive and open to constructive feedback.
• Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Demonstrate solid business acumen.
• Set priorities and provide guidance through direct and influence management.
• Effectively block, tackle, and troubleshoot day-to-day issues.
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Develop and provide budget oversight and tracking.
• Lead effective and impactful community engagement.
• Network effectively with local businesses, corporations, vendors.
• Analyze data and make data-driven decisions.
  
  
  

Supervisory Responsibility

N/A

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position, and general hours of work and days are Monday through Friday, 11:30am-8:30 pm.; however, this position may require day hours and weekend work.

Travel

Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be expected.

Education And Experience

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited College or University which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position. A track record of effectively leading a performance- and outcomes-based program.

AND

Experience: Candidates should have 2-5 years of experience preferably in a community or educational setting. Proven experience in administering standardized testing (i.e.: GED, ACT, SAT and or Praxis) and strong teaching, curriculum development or instructional design background preferred.

Certification Requirements

First Aid/CPR preferred; must be certified within first 60 days of hire.

Conditions of Hire

• A satisfactory criminal background and reference check, a valid driver’s license, and an acceptable driving record are required at time of appointment and throughout employment in this position.
• Must be eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
  
  
  

Physical Tasks and Working Conditions

The physical demands described in the job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed in an office, classroom, and in the community (such as schools, businesses, parks/playgrounds). Office and classroom work require sitting for periods of time and the use of a computer, keyboard, and screen, as well as teaching tools (whiteboard, projector, etc.). The incumbent sits, stands, walks, kneels, crouches, twists, climbs stairs and inclines, reaches, bends, grasps, pushes, pulls, and drags. Office/classroom work is often performed with moderate noise levels and requires the ability to focus. The incumbent must be able to move about to facilitate workshops, access files, operate equipment and office machinery, and lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

Work performed in the community requires the incumbent to be subject to different environmental conditions, including outdoor conditions, extreme heat and/or cold, and loud noise levels. Outdoor work may require periods of walking, standing, stooping, crouching, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, and lifting, as well as peripheral vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.

If driving a vehicle on organization business, the incumbent must be able to meet the physical requirements of the driving class and have mobility, vision, hearing, and dexterity levels appropriate to the duties to be performed.

Evaluation of Performance

Performance in this position will be evaluated in accordance with the Personnel Practices Manual.

Equipment Use

Telephone, copier/scanner, computer/laptop (Microsoft Office Applications), fax machine, tablet, and projector.

Mental Demands

Solve problems, make decisions, exercise sound judgment, supervise, interpret data, organize, write, plan, prioritize, communicate clearly, de-escalate situations, model respectful non-abusive behavior, critical thinking, critical reasoning, attention to detail, ability to recall, coordinate schedules, work as a member of a team, and speak in public.

Evaluation of Performance

Performance in this position will be evaluated in accordance with the Personnel Practices Manual

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer

The Warehouse is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, or any other status protected under local, state, or federal laws.