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Make a difference in the lives of homeless youth! New Beginnings is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants from diverse racial, ethnic, sexual/gender identities, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
New Beginnings is hiring talented and enthusiastic people who are committed to our mission to partner with youth to create lasting change, so all youth have a safe place to live and opportunities to grow. Since 1980, we’ve helped children, teens, and young adults find safety, build connections, and access the opportunities for growth that they need to thrive. Our comprehensive services prevent young people from becoming homeless, support struggling families, and help vulnerable youth grow into stable and healthy adults. Learn more at https://newbeginmaine.org/about-us/
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We’re seeking a creative and flexible educator who loves working in non-traditional educational settings and is passionate about helping vulnerable young people pursue education and employment. This position works with teens and young adults from all of New Beginnings’ Lewiston-area programs, as well as being a resource to homeless students and schools throughout central/southwestern Maine. The ideal candidate will be able to engage youth who are disconnected from school/work and at high risk for exploitation; help inspire youth to see themselves as capable learners who can be successful; support youth in creating education or employment plans and then provide instruction, coaching, and practical assistance with accomplishing their goals; have experience helping low-income people access education or employment (e.g. alternative schools, Adult Ed/HiSET, state diploma, JobCorps, navigating Financial Aid); and be able to build rapport through an atmosphere of trust, respect, and equity with youth and community members. Familiarity with positive youth development/agency models of care and prior experience working with unhoused folks or LGBTQ+ youth a plus!
The Education and Employment Coordinator is currently supervised by the Residential Director and provides oversight of and implements New Beginnings’ Educational & Employment Support Program with the goal of maintaining or restoring connections to formal education for youth in transition, including: curriculum development, morning educational program for shelter youth, individualized support for youth in Outreach and TLP, summer activities, and individual/small group instruction or tutoring. Develops opportunities and supports for youth who are runaways, homeless, or living in unstable living situations to participate in educational and career preparation-related programming. Program typically operates between hours of 8:30am – 5:30pm weekdays.
JOB FUNCTIONS
1. Direct Instruction, Educational Support, and Advocacy with Youth
— Provides weekday morning individualized educational programming for small groups of youth living at Marian’s Place Youth Shelter. Works with shelter youth and staff to identify and overcome barriers to education through individualized assessment, planning/goal-setting, and instruction/skills improvement.
— Provides afternoon individualized support to young adults from the Outreach and Transitional Living Programs (TLP) through informal drop-in hours, group activities, by appointment, and via referrals.
— Engages students in short- and long-term goal setting; helps students choose program focus in alignment with self-identified goals; supports student reflection focused on making connections between day-to-day work and long-term goals with an emphasis on finding the lowest-barrier path to high school completion.
— Provides participating youth with guidance, counseling, and support within appropriate limits; refers youth to additional support services on an as‑needed basis.
— Assesses student academic level and provides appropriate curriculum to ensure students achieve competencies through classroom instruction and educational activities outside the classroom (individually and in small groups).
— Teaches through a variety of methods including direct instruction, hands‑on activities, and team teaching; tailors the program and methods for the needs of each specific student, and implements an intervention strategy for each individual.
— Along with program case managers, ensures youth are enrolled in school per their rights as homeless/McKinney-Vento students. Obtains educational records and evaluations from previous schools as needed; obtains homework assignments and maintains contact with schools of origin for youth participating in ongoing support services. May attend IEP or other school meetings with New Beginnings’ youth to advocate for their educational needs/rights.
— Offers activities (including transporting youth) during school vacations, summer programming, and periodic workshops for both youth and staff across the agency designed to increase youths’ connection to education and careers, mitigating summer learning loss, and engaging youth with creative, fun activities and trips.
- Program Coordination
— Updates and publicizes schedule of services; recruits, trains, and supervises program staff, volunteers, or interns.
— Plans for and manages program purchases and donations for activities, summer programming, snacks, and regular supplies within budget.
— Maintains program classroom, donations, and supplies to ensure space is clean, organized, and welcoming.
— Maintains close communication with supervisor, education specialists, tutors/program volunteers, agency program coordinators, case workers, and primary counselors in New Beginnings’ programs to coordinate case plans and provide ongoing progress reports; as needed, attends staff meetings of other programs for staff development, recruitment, and continuity of care.
— Along with Director of Development and Program Director, supports New Beginnings’ internal Dot Larrabee scholarship program, including: promoting the program to youth and staff; scheduling and interviewing youth applicants; advising the DLDYF committee on awards; and providing follow-up to awardees.
— Cultivates and maintains partnerships in the community that provide educational, training, and employment opportunities that are aligned with youth and program goals.
— Maintains accurate records, including arranging and scheduling of program activities, and managing youth progress notes and assessments (Apricot electronic client record, progress notes, paper and electronic forms & releases of information, etc.), and compiling documentation for evaluation and reporting.
— Assists with program development activities such as grant writing or reporting as requested.
— Participates in community networking activities that strengthen the program’s operations and represents New Beginnings at meetings and events as assigned.
- McKinney-Vento Advocacy, Training, and Referral
— Serves as a resource to school McKinney-Vento liaisons and students/families in 9-county region.
— Participates in regional and community organization meetings organized by Maine Dept. of Education (DOE).
— Advocates for students who meet McKinney-Vento definition and helps verify such with school personnel.
— Provides trainings and technical assistance to McKinney-Vento school liaisons and educates New Beginnings’ youth, staff, schools, and other providers about the rights of homeless students.
— Maintains data about DOE grant activities and compiles reports as needed
QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Training: Bachelor’s degree in education preferred; bachelor’s degree in a related field required. Educational certification (e.g. Educational Technician or ELL certificate) may be substituted for part of the educational requirement. A minimum of two year’s experience working with homeless/high risk youth or in alternative educational settings is required. Prior supervisory experience preferred.
Specialized Skills: Experience developing curriculum or lesson plans; knowledge or experience with special education and multiple intelligences; basic counseling, conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills; knowledge of community resources; group facilitation skills; ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities. Understanding of positive youth development and alternative educational approaches. Valid driver’s license and driving record which meets New Beginnings’ requirements.
Cognitive Requirements: Good problem-solving skills and communications skills; literacy, math, general knowledge, and writing skills on at least a college graduate level; proficiency in use of computers, internet, office equipment, and MS Office software programs.
Physical Requirements: Ability to drive agency vehicle, climb stairs, teach and assist youth, supervise/participate in field trips and off-site activities.
Work Environment: Classroom and office space; implements services at each Lewiston program location (including third floor locations via stairs) in addition to in the primary education program space; community -based settings. Some flexibility in work hours is required; transportation in own and agency vehicles (staff will receive mileage reimbursement for use of own vehicle for required travel); recreational/outdoor activities.
Salary: $50,000 – $54,000, depending on experience
Generous Benefits, including:
- 100% Agency Paid Health Insurance Coverage for Employees
- Affordable Dental Insurance Coverage
- Life Insurance, Disability, and Short & Long-Term Care
- 33 Days of Accrued Earned Time per Year
- 403(b) Retirement Plan
TO APPLY: Please submit a cover letter detailing your interest and relevant experience along with your résumé to hr@newbeginmaine.org.