Starting Salary Range: $40,000 - $43,500

Agape has an open position for an Edge Connector. As a poverty-reduction initiative, Agape, through its place-based strategy implements a Two-Generation paradigm. The Edge Connector works within identified high schools and communities. The Edge Connector develops relationships with teens in a school setting, providing meaningful conversation, resources, and instruction. The Edge Connector will build relationships with the students on their caseload, their students parents or guardians, the school faculty and administration, and the community. The Edge Connector is responsible for creating an engaging and safe environment for students to explore their personalities, future career pathway goals, training needs, and college interests. The Edge Connector is responsible for assessing the student and their familys needs to make appropriate referrals for both the student and family. The Edge Connector will utilize the agency case management system, Penelope, as well as VOSS for tracking student eligibility and suitability as well as their progress and gains with post-secondary opportunities. Connectors are responsible for facilitating efforts to address employment, education/training, and additional post-secondary opportunities.

Additionally, the Connector should have excellent interpersonal skills and knowledge of social services systems. The Connector needs to have strong organization and time management skills They must possess the ability to work well independently as well as part of a team; work in partnerships and relationships with key community leaders, supporters, and advocates.

Connectors ensure program quality, transparency, and accurate reporting.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Conduct and update individual/family needs assessment with each familys participation to develop an individualized service plan for the appropriate family involved, noting needed, desired, and requested services and resources
• Provide two-generational, family-driven, and strength-based services to families who require particular resources and assistance.
• Focus on specific programmatic obligations, goals, and objectives, align with the voice and choice of families (social, economic, post-secondary goals, and training).
• Arrange, coordinate, and monitor services related to meeting the needs of program participants to ensure stability and individual/family goal attainment as related to:

• Cohort Attendance
• Delivery of pre and post-assessments
• Delivery of ACE, WEB, and other identified assessments
• Dealing with family crises as they arise
• Identifying additional needs of caseload families and making appropriate internal and external referrals
• Coordinate events and activities onsite for program participants to encourage stability and individual/family goal attainment.

• Work in partnership with all departments and other agencies collaborating with Agape Child & Family Services.
• Maintain current and accurate documentation of services provided to youth and families based on various requirements and provide necessary data to Agape and partnering agencies, if agreed upon, for input into the appropriate data systems.
• Agape is a data-informed agency. The Edge Connector must accurately record data based on program standards and use data for continuous quality improvement for both school-based and site-based programs.
• Must be able to work with a flexible schedule, which would allow for needed interaction and involvement for the tasks of this position i.e. weekend and evening hours, etc.
• Complete internal reports and provide information concerning stability.
• Attend and represent Agape in appropriate meetings and training with other agencies.
• Attend Multidisciplinary Team Meetings and other in-service trainings provided by the agency.
• Attend regular supervisory and team meetings.
• Will perform all other duties, within the general scope of this position, as requested by the Connector Coordinator, Director of TeamWorks, or other members of Agape Leadership.

Record Keeping:

• Maintain accurate and timely reports for case records according to Agape procedures and grant standards through data entry into Agapes preferred data collection system and documentation in all required areas.
• Be prompt in initiating and replying to all correspondence and inquiries.
• Submit timely reports of all referrals to the Supervisor.
• Provide and use all the necessary required data for evaluation purposes.

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain positive and productive relationships with the teachers, staff, and administration in the school.
• Participate in staff meetings, in-service training, and approved and planned relevant workshops, seminars, and training events.
• Participate in other Agency functions, i.e. community awareness events, advocacy activities, etc.
• Participate in agency planning and development, especially specific to programmatic related areas.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working at a computer.
• Prolonged walking and standing, and climbing stairs within schools and community sites.
• Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds at a time.

Qualifications:

Bachelors degree in Education, Psychology, Social Work, or related field from an accredited college or university, or the equivalent combination of education, training, and the experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position with at least 2 years of relevant experience. The ideal candidate must have a demonstrated ability to work with a wide range of people, especially teenagers, and provide culturally competent service delivery and a passion for helping others. Proven ability to facilitate engaging group instruction. Knowledge of community development and post-secondary opportunities, including colleges and universities and training. Must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and demonstrated computer proficiency, including the use of Microsoft Office Suite and other software applications essential to this position. Experience using a case management system to enter case notes, track client information, and monitor performance; specific experience with Penelope is a plus. Should possess outstanding organizational and management skills and have proven ability as a problem solver and self-starter. Understanding of data collection procedures and the aptitude for using data to inform decisions and processes. Must have an automobile available for business use and maintain a current drivers license and current auto insurance with acceptable levels of coverage. Will be required to work a flexible schedule to include evenings and weekends as needed. Candidate must be willing to engage in Agapes Performance Quality and Improvement (also known as Continuous Quality Improvement) standards of quality & excellence.