Student Transition Advocate

ALL APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT COVER LETTER WITH RESUME.

CCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We seek talented, dedicated individuals who possess a strong commitment to CCA’s mission, including those with relevant personal experience in terms of recovery and/or justice involvement.

Job Summary: The Transition Advocate will provide both advocacy and transition services to all Syracuse City School District (SCSD) students referred to CCA’s Youth Services’ Educational Support Program. The Transition Advocate will work with students to provide both advocacy services and transition services for those referred to a Superintendent’s Hearing and to those transitioning back to mainstream school from long-term absence. These absences may be due to a long-term suspension from school, a return from juvenile detention, or a return from jail, prison or juvenile placement.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

· Inform and ensure students and parents/guardians facing a superintendent’s disciplinary hearing are aware of their rights and responsibilities as outlined in Education Law 3214 and SCSD’s Code of Conduct.

· Provide support to students who have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 plan.

· Participate in a Manifestation Determination Review as part of the disciplinary proceeding.

· Address underlying issues regarding a student’s misbehavior in accordance with the SCSD Code of Conduct.

· Assist parents, students, hearing officers, and district staff (administrators, principals and teachers) in considering restorative interventions and supports that encourage educational success.

· Provide services for the following; informal hearings, informal conferences, short-term suspensions, restorative meetings, local MDR/CSE meetings, transition meetings and family or criminal court proceedings related to school suspensions.

· Support the transition for students who are returning to mainstream school following an absence due to a long-term suspension, a return from juvenile detention, or a return from jail, prison or juvenile placement.

· Conduct youth assessment through one-on-one meetings with the student, family members and school staff to review pertinent records to develop an individualized Comprehensive Student Success Plan (CSSP).

· Collaborate with school district staff to advocate for and support student success and to address any emerging or ongoing concerns.

· Follow-up to engage students for up to 6 months following their transition back to mainstream school, track progress and provide referrals to the school district and other community supports to ensure a successful transition to mainstream school.

· Participate in ongoing professional development and training opportunities.

· Maintain accurate record keeping via case files and designated computer database.

· Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree preferred; educational background in social work, education, policy, criminal justice or related field with excellent oral/written communication, and advocacy skills; a skillful motivational interviewer, with facility in cognitive behavior interventions, prior experience working with and a commitment to at-risk youth including justice-system involved youth; demonstrated cultural competency; ability and willingness to work flexible hours and work in school, home and community settings; valid NYS driver’s license; bi-lingual skills a plus. All new hires will be subject to a NYS Department of Education background check upon acceptance of position.

The Center for Community Alternatives requires any employee using their automobile on behalf of the company to carry a minimum bodily injury limits of $100,000 per person, $300,000 for each accident, and property damage limits of $100,000 for each accident.

We seek talented, dedicated individuals who possess a strong commitment to CCA’s mission, including those with relevant personal experience in terms of recovery and/or justice involvement.