Educational/Vocational Specialist - Part-time

Come demonstrate your passion for child & family empowerment by joining the Wayside team! At Wayside, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity- focused community that approaches client care as a matter of social justice. Wayside is one of Massachusetts’ most respected child and family serving agencies with program locations across Central, Eastern and Northeastern Massachusetts serving more than 6,000 children, young adults, and families each year. Wayside thinks of our employees as whole people and invests in benefits to support employee wellness.

• Tuition, training & student loan reimbursement 
• PTO Package: 3 Wellness Days (time off), 9 Paid Holidays, Up to 3 weeks of vacation (in your first year) 
• A learning environment – free training institute with thought leaders, CEU trainings & program trainings, etc. 
• Financial health supports 
• Equity focused medical benefits 
• Teamwork atmosphere 
• Career development support – a great place to grow your career!!!

Educational/Vocational Specialist - PACT-Y

Westborough/Canton Area

Salary Range: $22.00 - $26.00/Hour + sign on bonus (half paid after 30 days of employment and half paid after 90 days of employment; pro-rated for part-time).

This is a Part-time position: 20 Hours a week. 

Wayside Youth & Family Support Network’s Framingham site is hiring a part-time Educational/Vocational Specialist for an innovative, evidenced based model of treatment in Massachusetts, the Program for Assertive Community Treatment for Youth (PACT-Y). The Educational/Vocational Specialist is responsible for developing, directing, and providing education/work-related services to clients, utilizing an assertive outreach model as a member of an interdisciplinary team. This program is a DMH funded, intensive, self-contained, community-based program, serving youth and their families. We are looking for individuals who are open to working a part time schedule to support youth in reaching their educational/vocational dreams. We provide a supportive culture that allows for a balance of personal responsibilities and professional development while contributing to the community.

What you will do:
 

• Motivate and support persons served to identify educational and vocational strengths and goals, establish educational and career goals while working within an interdisciplinary team addressing mental illness that may impact educational/vocational readiness.


• Provide creative and consistent engagement, as well as training and support to help youth and young adults in building sustainability, success, and satisfaction.


• Provide initial and ongoing assessments, educational/employment assistance, family support and education and other services to support an individual’s ability to live successfully in the community.


• Support individuals using advocacy and person-centered approach to maintain education and employment goals.


• Provide individuals with skills coaching and individual vocational counseling to develop goals related to educational/vocational interests.


• Develop relationships with local businesses, schools, and community organizations to support vocational and educational resources for individuals in the program.


• Act as a liaison between educational and employment institutions, individuals in the program while coordinating and collaborating with an interdisciplinary team. 

Competencies/Traits of Our Superstars:
 

• Talent connecting with people.


• Strong communication skills –both written and verbal.


• Ability to assess and manage risk.


• Flexibility, creative thinking, and adapt to competing priorities.


• Highly collaborative and team oriented.


• Excellent boundaries.

Minimum Requirements:
 

• BA/BS degree in a related field preferable, but not required.


• 1-year experience working with individuals in mental health or substance use recovery.


• Valid driver’s license/access to reliable automobile.


• Ability to work at least 2-3 evenings a week, potential for weekend coverage.

We will train you in: Motivational Interviewing; Courageous Conversations; Attachment, Regulation and Competency Model (ARC); Trauma Informed Practice; Substance Use Intervention; Risk and Safety Assessment.

Wayside welcomes equity-minded applicants whose values align with our goal of being a child welfare and behavioral health agency committed to anti-racism, social justice, and advocacy. Successful candidates are asked to be engaged in Wayside’s dedication to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Bilingual/bicultural and LGBTQ+ applicants are encouraged to apply!