Incarcerated Youth Instructional Assistant

JOB LOCATIONS:  Incarcerated Youth Programs located at either the Columbia, Montour, Northumberland and Union County Jails.

JOB ASSIGNMENT: Incarcerated Youth Program (ICYP)

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS: Educational Program Supervisor and in their absence to the Director of Special Education and Alternative Placement or the Chief Academic Officer / Assistant Executive Director.  Receives input from the Incarcerated Youth Program Case Manager.

JOB DEFINITION: The primary role of the Incarcerated Youth Instructional Assistant supports educational opportunities for incarcerated youth 18-21 years of age in Juvenile in Adult Facilities (JIAF) in the local county prisons. This position is responsible for supporting learning opportunities for incarcerated students by facilitating access to academics for students referred to the Incarcerated Youth Program. This position monitors each student’s cyber programming, communicates and facilitates the daily schedule with online learning educators, the ICPY Case Manager, and Local Education Agency (LEA), and documents progress for each student.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provides coaching, pacing, and goal setting related to academics to students enrolled in the ICYP.
2. Provided direct support to student inmates while they utilize an online curriculum.
3. Coordinate Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and 504 revisions, programming, and progress monitoring in conjunction with the home district.
4. Collaborate with LEAs, school social workers, program supervisors, and other stakeholders on progress and support for students enrolled in the Incarcerated Youth Program (ICYP).
5. Communicate with external providers working with students, as well as the cyber teachers of each of their courses.
6. Maintain a positive climate and relationships with students enrolled in ICYP.
7. Facilitate the entry and discharge process for students by notifying the IY Case Manager regarding inmate releases.
8. Help build behavior and academic momentum by reinforcing appropriate behaviors that increase learning and interactions.
9. Enroll or extend students’ cyber courses, dependent on progress made, while ensuring alignment with graduation pathways under Act 158 and district requirements.
10. Update the IY Case Manager and IY Administrative Assistant on all Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS needed/requested information.
11. Assist in the coordination PIMS student course selections to align with both individual graduation pathways and district academic requirements, ensuring compliance with state and local educational standards.
12. Oversee program effectiveness by tracking student progress, identifying areas for improvement, and recommending necessary adjustments to instructional and support strategies.
13. Consult with IY Case Manager and program supervisor on the needs of students in the ICYP program with IEPs and 504 Service Plans.
14. Collaborate with county jail staff, children and youth, and county mental health for student service coordination as needed.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Performs other related services or duties as assigned by the Program supervisor or designee.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

1. A High School Diploma or equivalent General Education Diploma (GED) is required.
2. The attainment of the Special Education Competency Assessment checklist (as approved by the immediate supervisor) within the first 90 working days of initial employment start date is required to remain in this position.
3. Prior youth supervision experience is preferred.
4. Ability to collaborate with professionals in school systems and county incarceration facilities.
5. Knowledge and skills related to cyber or virtual environments, grading, pacing, and content preferred.
6. An understanding of trauma and adverse experiences and overcoming adversity.
7. Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate and work effectively with colleagues, co-workers, community agency personnel, and students/trainees.
8. Excellent human relations and interpersonal skills.
9. Computer experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, artificial intelligence, data entry, email, and experience managing file sharing with Google Drive preferred.
10. Adept at using virtual meeting platforms such as Skype, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams.
11. Ability to acquire and apply new knowledge quickly.
12. Able to sustain effort and enthusiasm in the quality of work.
13. Requires the ability to develop and maintain positive and collaborative relationships using tact and diplomacy and to remain calm in unpredictable situations.
14. Effective time management, organizational skills, and prioritization of work to meet the needs of the users.
15. Maintain confidentiality regarding education programs, students, and parents at all times, adhering to the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requirements to protect staff and student data.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS:

• Participate in workshops/seminars to increase knowledge in education and effective best practices as recommended by the immediate supervisor or required of the position.
• In accordance with PA Chapter 14.133, staff will participate in training regarding behavior prevention, de-escalation, and/or safe physical management techniques.
• Attend state, local, and, when appropriate, national conferences/networking groups for assigned areas

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current, approved Act 34 (PA State Police), Act 151 (PA Child Abuse Registry), and Act 114-FBI Fingerprint clearances are required and must be renewed at appropriate, specific intervals pursuant to Act 153 of 2014 (revised Act 15 of 2015).
• Current, approved Act 126 Mandated Reporter Training certificate showing completion of a minimum of three (3) hours of training every five (5) years.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Sedentary: Able to sit for extended periods of time, occasional walking, standing (as necessary), and able to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Dexterity: Finger movements (computer keyboard, calculator), eye-hand coordination (office equipment, etc.).
• Audio-Visual Requirements: Within normal range with or without correction.
• Is able to move throughout all buildings, floors, and grounds.
• Worksite Environment: Primarily indoors, office setting with occasional exposure to outdoor elements/climate during the day.
• Mental demands: Steady response to unpredictable situations, ability to remain calm and productive during stressful situations. Demonstrates independent judgment and discretion and is able to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• The ability to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.
• Ability to travel to various work site locations and meetings as needed.

TIME AND SITE REQUIREMENTS:

• This is a part-time non-exempt position, not to exceed 29 hours per week or in combination with any additional CSIU part-time positions. Additional working hours must be pre-approved by the immediate supervisor.

1. Must attend meetings pertinent to job responsibilities outside the office.
2. Attendance at work is a requirement of this position; any and all absences must be approved by the immediate supervisor.
3. Must conduct facilitation sessions at the various applicable county prisons in the CSIU region.

CSIU PROPERTY AND CONFIDENTIALITY REQUIREMENTS:

1. All property, including intellectual property, materials, equipment, or actual products and services developed or accrued as part of the job duties and responsibilities listed above, is the property of the CSIU. It may not be used for personal profit or gain and will be relinquished to the CSIU upon termination of employment from the CSIU.
2. The person employed in this position shall maintain confidentiality with regard to the personal and private information about clients and coworkers, programs and services, and any other proprietary information accrued as a result of CSIU employment or as required by state or federal laws and regulations.
3. The person employed in this position must adhere to all requirements identified in the code of professionalism entitled "Ambassadors Are Professionals, Too" and CSIU Administrative Regulation 317-AR-1 CSIU Service Standards.

The position holder must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. It is the responsibility of the employee to inform their supervisor and the Director of Human Resources of the need for any accommodations that may be required.