Student Support and Admissions Specialist

Student Support and Admissions Specialist works with Wayfinder’s Head of Schools, teachers, and administrative staff using equity-minded practices to guide students into, through, and beyond their time in the Passages Program. The SSAS will guide students through the admission process, provide support to students/teachers during the enrollment process, navigate community services they may require, and make appropriate referrals as needed. The SSAS will play a significant role as a community-based health professional offering social services support as needed, in collaboration with the Passages teacher(s) and student(s), including partnering with community services on behalf of youth in the justice system.  They will be responsible for finding resources for teachers in all nine counties that Wayfinder serves, and will attend and/or direct workshops or programs as needed. This position requires travel throughout the nine counties that Wayfinder serves, and the SSAS must have reliable transportation, be comfortable transporting students when needed, and be comfortable driving a school van. This position’s primary office will be located in Camden, Maine.

Wayfinder Schools offer relational learning programs that transform the nature of a high school education by providing students with the experience necessary to discover their strengths and skills, connect with their families, practice personal responsibility, contribute to their communities, and earn a high school diploma from the State of Maine.

Wayfinder Schools is an equal opportunity employer and institution of learning, and discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity or any other protected class is strictly prohibited.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications: Licensed Social Work (LSW), Community Service Behavioral Health Professional (BHP) preferred, or Educational Technician certification with experience working with youth who have experienced significant challenges, including youth in the juvenile justice system
• Preferred coursework in Cultural and Community Studies, Education, Counseling, Psychology, Sociology or a closely related field with three (3) years experience in admissions, education, social services or equivalent combination of experiences
• Excellent intercultural, interpersonal verbal and written communication skills
• Possesses excellent computer skills with proficiency in Mac environments, databases, Google and Zoom platforms
• Familiarity with Special Education’s Individual Education Plans (IEP), Relational Education, Restorative Justice, Positive Youth Development, and Learner-Centered Teaching practices
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with a range of different academic and non-academic units and community-based organizations, especially with arts, career and juvenile justice units
• Committed to educational equity and ensuring just outcomes for marginalized and non-traditional students
• Ability to work in home settings and/or in all manners of locations

Personal Qualifications

• Inspires enthusiasm, trust, interest, and engagement in student’s own learning, and has a respectful, non-judgmental, and supportive communication style
• Excellent organizational and management skills
• Detail oriented team player with great follow-through
• Patient, compassionate, and kind
• Possesses self-confidence, leadership skills, and a sense of humor
• Demonstrates maturity in interactions with students, family members, staff, board members, community partners, and others

Primary Responsibilities

• Creating and delivering culturally responsive student services aimed at improving student access, engagement, retention, graduation and post-grad planning
• Oversee Administrative Assistant duties for tracking admissions applications completion and review, distribution of information to referral sites, managing student records, including  transcript requests
• Building collaborative relationships with students, teachers and community resources to provide smooth connections to appropriate services/opportunities
• Manage centralized enrollment process (current capacity 65 annually) as key entry point for all inquiries, including home visits, interviews, challenges completion, teacher assignment, DOE enrollment, IEP reporting and attendance reports, verify enrollment data for school district invoicing
• Participate in presenting Wayfinder programs to referring schools, organizations, agencies and other interested groups
• Collaborate with teachers to seek appropriate resources for students with mental health challenges
• Develop community resource plans and contact information for students in collaboration with teachers in all nine counties served by Wayfinder
• Cultivate partnerships that support youth in collaboration with teachers, including court-involved youth transitioning back to their communities
• Coordinate post-graduation planning, scholarship resources and applications for graduating students, and connect them to alumni programming
• Meet regularly with Head of Schools and administration to update on admission status, program needs, assessment, and strategic planning goals
• Responsible for timely DOE reporting including: Oct/Apr Student Count, school district billing accuracy, attendance reporting and any other DOE required reporting and coordinate with the Head of Schools on reporting deadlines and certifications
• Provide transportation as needed for students and the program
• Be willing to help out beyond the academic arena as needed with students within reason – may include, but not limited to, attending case management meetings, court appointments, doctor appointments or other needs of the students
• Participate in and help plan weekly Passages staff meetings
• Meet regularly with supervisor and as needed with the school’s board of directors
• Participate in fundraising events on behalf of Passages and the Schools as needed and/or requested
• Attend continuing professional development courses as required and provided by Wayfinder Schools
• Any other duties as assigned

Employment and FLSA Status: This is a full-time, salaried, benefits eligible position requiring 40 hrs/week during the school year, with part-time hours during the summer months. Some evening and weekend work may be required.

Please send cover letter and resume to info@wayfinderschools.org