Education Specialist in at Urban Strategies, Inc.

REPORTS TO: Senior Project Manager 

BACKGROUND:

USI is a national nonprofit with extensive experience in the design and implementation of place-based human capital development strategies in

communities that are undergoing comprehensive physical revitalization.

Founded in 1978, USI is a leader in community development, supporting over 30,000 economically stressed families, approximately 100,000 individuals, in 53 communities in 28 major metropolitan areas. USI represents a movement towards a future where all children and families will be stable and thriving, supported by our unwavering dedication to being results-based, data-driven, and equity-centered.

 

Job Summary:

The Education Specialist will provide oversight and implementation of selected initiatives and activities related to education with the Choice Neighborhoods Implementation (CNI) Grant for the transformation of the Murchison neighborhood. This includes all education strategies across the continuum from early childhood to adult education. Each education strategy may consist of multiple programs and activities designed to direct new and innovative Human Capital building programs into distressed urban core neighborhoods and to improve the ability of low-income residents to become more self-sufficient. Specific job duties will include:

• Create a Results Count Annual Action Plan that is informed by data and used to serve as the road map for local education planning and work coordination.
• Develop and submit weekly work plans for accountability.
• Build partnerships based on data, create and implement education tactics designed to advance Urban Strategies national education strategies, performance measures and indicators.
• Provide regular reports as assigned to ensure HUD and Urban Strategies reporting compliance.
• Identify and track targeted children 0-18 and adults, include them in LEARN and other tracking systems to monitor their educational progress.
• Collect a FERPA on each child enrolled in Case Management that will be effective for the duration of the CNI grant period.
• Work with the National Education Director to develop and execute a Data Sharing agreement with the local School District to ensure Urban Strategies’ collect, track, and report on aggregated data about targeted families. Serve as point of contact for the school district.
• Serve as an expert on the needs of target children and families to inform the development grant applications and special initiatives.
• Build successful educational partnerships, track leverage and regularly convene partners to share data, learn about partner’s work, align resources and contributions, and collaborate on special initiatives, as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain an updated Educational Resource Portfolio (electronic and hard copy) separated out by services for youth and adults that can be used by Case Managers and families.
• Represent Urban Strategies at local meetings, take notes and write up reports to share learning and points of connection.
• Troubleshoot education related matters as needed.
• Meet regularly with Case Managers to ensure that all job-related duties are aligned and provide coaching as needed.
• Work with parents or guardians to ensure that children and youth enroll in and have a full access to opportunities to succeed in school. This includes providing referrals and tracking service connections.
• Secure information about school choice opportunities, make it readily available, and assist families in navigating the various options so that parents and guardians can make informed decisions about what is best for their child (ren).
• Research educational best practices and programs for adaption or implementation into communities served by Urban Strategies.
• Ensure the education data integrity within LEARN and facilitate the documentation of stories to support outcomes.
• Actively participate in national education webinars/calls and other training opportunities.

Position Requirements:

• Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in human services or other relevant field and at least three years of work experience demonstrating the ability to manage all aspects of a project AND at least two years of experience administering complex contracts or grants
• A passion for community building and ability to share that enthusiasm with residents, staff and the larger community
• Ability to draw conclusions and make decisions based on research data and findings.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Skilled in writing reports
• Strong organizational skills
• Experience with case management and service coordination
• Skilled in building and maintaining good relationships while managing key contacts
• Ability to analyze and synthesize large amounts of detailed information and communicate key points in a concise manner
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs including MS Word, Excel, Power Point and desktop publishing software; proficiency is SPSS or other data analysis software is a plus
• Strong interest in social entrepreneurship
• Ability to function as part of a cross-disciplinary team
• Ability to hold privileged information in a professional and confidential manner
• Flexibility to attend evening and weekend functions and to travel occasionally as required
• Knowledge of the community and area at which the position serves

Urban Strategies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer