Social Emotional Learning & Prevention Specialist (Non-benefited)

Position Responsibilities:

The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work invites applications for a social emotional learning and prevention specialist position. Supervised by the Project Director, the youth social emotional learning and prevention specialist works in schools and communities to facilitate a social-emotional learning and substance abuse prevention program. Our program is tailored for youth ages 11-18, and employs a curriculum that is evidence-based, student-centered, and interactive. The program uses trauma-informed, social-emotional learning, in efforts to help youth cultivate life skills to help them overcome and thrive. Visit www.riseabovenow.org to learn more about the program. Curriculum training will be provided within 2 months of employment. The position will entail some coordination work with local school and community partners.

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide quality social and emotional learning to students from low income communities
• Lead or co-lead a prevention education class
• Teaching trauma-informed curriculum to students with a history of potentially traumatic or adverse childhood experiences
• Effectively engage students in learning by using a variety of instructional strategies
• Use resources, routines, and procedures to provide a respectful, positive, safe, student-centered environment that is conducive to learning
• Collaborate with schools, parent-teacher groups, social services agencies, church groups, and other youth and community organizations to provide a social-emotional learning and substance abuse prevention program
• Network with other prevention and social service agencies to disseminate the social-emotional learning program
• Document all program activities as required, and submit program reports and records according to the school’s established deadlines
• Attend training, seminars, workshops, and classes to achieve required credentials and continuing education
• Maintain high standards of health and safety in all activities for students
• Provide additional support to the Program Director as necessary.
  
  

Required Qualifications:

• Degree in Education, Counseling, Social Work, Public Health, Psychology, Health or related field is required
• Experience in teaching and working with youth in school or community setting is required
• Experience in multicultural environments is required. Must display sensitivity and responsiveness to cultural differences present in the students and their families
• Demonstrate an understanding of the developmental needs of youth by providing relevant teaching experiences
• Ability to understand and effectively use technology (e.g., Zoom, Google Classroom) and other learning applications. Must be proficient in MS word, Excel, Power Point and the Internet.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Education, Social Work, Public Health, Counseling, Psychology, Health or related field is preferred
• Prior experiences in teaching social and emotional learning curriculum or substance abuse prevention programs are preferred
• Awareness and comprehension of current teaching strategies are preferred
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills are preferred
• Energetic, creative individual with high ethical standards and an appropriate professional image is preferred