Internship Specialist-Learning to Work

Organization Overview: The Goddard Riverside Community Center (Goddard Riverside) and the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center (Isaacs Center) are well-established Manhattan community-based agencies that support services to approximately 30,000 New Yorkers. We are two of New York City’s leading human services organizations meeting the needs of children, youth and families, homeless individuals, and older adults throughout Manhattan and New York City. We work every day for a fair and just society where all people have the opportunity to make choices that lead to better lives for themselves and their families.

Program Description: Learning to Work (LTW) for Transfer Schools Program at Edward Reynolds West Side High School provides students over-aged and under-credited ages 16 -21 with services and opportunities to foster engagement through academic and personal development that lead to earning a high school diploma. Primary goals include getting students to graduate with realistic and meaningful post-secondary plans, gain knowledge and skills that will increase the employability and awareness of post-high school opportunities available to them. Some opportunities include higher education, trade/technical schools and community service programs. Using the Primary Person Model, each student has an LTW Staff Member as a support to minimize and/or remove barriers toward graduation including engaging students in college preparation, and meaningful career exploration including subsidized internships, academic and personal support services to increase self-direction and self-sufficiency.

Purpose of Position: The LTW Internship Specialist- Intern Specialist is the primary person support for a cohort of student interns who he/she knows well, counsels to promote goal-setting and supports towards successful completion of internship and the achievement of graduation with a meaningful postsecondary plan. The Intern Specialist will be instrumental in working with the Internship Coordinator to develop and manage the LTW internship program. This position will serve as liaison between students and worksites as well as connector to resources within and outside of the school.

Schedule: Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Salary Range:  $42,751 - $54,689

• Case Management & Student Support Services: 
• Primary person advisor for a cohort of at least 20 student interns 
• Conduct regular one on one sessions with students, at least twice a month  
• Support students to create SMART goals and to works towards implementation 
• Providing crisis intervention and counseling for students as needed 
• Providing attendance outreach through phone calls, texts through agency telephone, letters, and/or home visits 
• Organize and implement special activities/events that are meet the recreational, cultural, social needs of the school community.  
• With Internship Coordinator and Program Director, create best practices for internship case management and support services to ensure high quality and demographic appropriate. 
• With Internship Coordinator, maintain relationships with internship sites  
• Participate in creating a seamless web of support for the student that includes school personnel, family and community opportunities 
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• Internship Program Management  
• Solicit, develop and cultivate internship and or job opportunities with private and public sector employers, including small businesses, and within Goddard Riverside  
• Support with placement and monitoring of participants at internship worksites (minimum once a month)  
• Partner with LTW staff to prepare and present workshops and exploratory activities as needed for development of students’ leadership, life skills, and self-efficacy  
• Support students to develop employability skills (Resume building, Cover letter writing, Mock Interviews, completion of internship application, job shadowing opportunities) through individual and group activities 
• Work with Internship Coordinator and worksites to ensure time and attendance are recorded properly and entered into our Paycom payroll management system   
• Record service/progress notes for students including but not limited to student interests and activities, SMART goals, attendance outreach, individual counseling, career and college advisement and exploration, service and volunteer activities, and other information as required by program. Assess for referrals to community based support services for students and family members 
• Assist Students not participating in subsidized internships provide with non-paid service learning and/or community service placements during the academic year, upon request and in collaboration with Internship Coordinator. 
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• Additional Duties 
• Collaborate in the successful management of the internship program with Internship Coordinator, LTW Program Director, GRCC staff, NYCDOE Staff and the community. 
• Lead and/or champion school events to build community, pride and a welcoming environment. 
• Maintain and organize all required records and files according to organization and contractual requirements and standards  
• Collaborate with LTW Program Director with functions such as special events, performances, school community events  
• Attend and participate in-school / community-based meetings, administrative meetings, professional development trainings and other meetings as needed.  
• Complete task and/ projects assigned by Counseling Director, LTW Program Director, ADED and DED.   

Qualifications/Educational Requirements 

• High School Diploma  
• Experience with teens, older youth and/or young adults  
• Minimum of two years of experience providing job development, career exploration/work-readiness, and/or community building/organizing  
• Knowledge of evidence-based and/or Best Practices in case management and servicing Opportunity / Disconnected Youth is highly desirable 
• Must obtain Department of Education fingerprint clearance and maintain throughout duration of employment. 

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities 

• Outstanding communication skills 
• Ability to self-reflect 
• Efficient and organized 
• Self-starter 
• Knowledge of best workforce approaches for teens and young adults  
• Team player 
• Knowledgeable or willing to learn web-based systems 
• Compassionate 
• Sense of humor a plus 
• Flexibility  
• Multitasker  
• Curiosity and willingness to learn 
• Fluency in Spanish is desirable 
• Previous experience with SMART goals, Motivational Interviewing and/or Restorative Justice highly desirable 

Physical Requirements 

• Frequent walking and standing 

Work Environment 

• School Community 
• Fast paced 
• Team Oriented  

Goddard Riverside and Isaacs Center are equal opportunity employers and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of this position and title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be requested to perform job related task other than those specifically presented in this description. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.