Engagement Specialist (Embedded) Position Available In East Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Engagement Specialist (Embedded) XP Works

LLC – 3.4

Baton Rouge, LA Job Details Full-time $46,000 a year 1 hour ago Benefits Paid holidays Health insurance Dental insurance Paid time off Employee assistance program Vision insurance 401(k) matching Qualifications Microsoft Word Microsoft Excel Writing skills Social work Windows Microsoft Office Bachelor’s degree Psychology Mentoring Organizational skills Computer skills Social Work 1 year Communication skills Entry level Full Job Description Embedded Engagement Specialist Under the leadership of the Director of Opportunity Now, the Engagement Specialist plays a key role in Opportunity Now’s student behavioral support and mentoring programs. Using strength-based approaches with a trauma-informed lens, specialists are primarily responsible for working with identified students to minimize unbecoming behaviors and help to develop positive outcomes to productivity. Working closely with an interdisciplinary team, consisting of the Director of Adult Services, Program Manager, Lead Engagement Specialist, and Area Coordinator, the Engagement Specialist will incorporate some lessons from the Opportunity Now contextualized curriculum, which allows participants to develop necessary life skills, introduce career options, and expose student to post-secondary options. Specialists provide participants with dynamic, interactive support opportunities in group, classroom, and individual settings

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, education, or a related field (preferred) Minimum of 1 year experience in youth services, education, social work, or mentoring Strong verbal and written communication skills Ability to build trust and rapport with diverse student populations, especially youth atrisk Patience, empathy, and strong conflictresolution skills High level of organization, flexibility, and adaptability Selfstarter with good judgment and initiative Reliable transportation to travel to designated school site(s) Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel Committed to continuous learning and reflective practice Pay and Perks $46,000/year Insurance Benefits (medical, dental, vision) 401k with matching Paid time off (holidays, vacation, sick) Employee Assistance Program Opportunity to work with a progressive and innovative leadership team Opportunity for potential growth in the company Use of company computer

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Establish and maintain safe and engaging learning environments, where students are provided with a balance of structure and support to thrive socially, emotionally, and academically. Embed daily within designated school sites to serve as a consistent presence, offering mentorship, intervention, and student support throughout the academic day. Prepare and adapt lesson plans using Opportunity Now’s contextualized life skills curriculum, incorporating engaging, relevant activities that support the development of socialemotional growth, career awareness, and postsecondary readiness. Monitor barriers to participation and engagement, including those related to students’ social, emotional, and environmental factors. Address these barriers through personalized coaching and connection to appropriate services. Track and report student progress and attendance benchmarks using a participant observation tool. Submit weekly updates to the School Designee (point of contact) and collaborate on case planning. Provide collective academic assistance as needed to support student success, especially when academic or behavioral challenges impact performance. Develop personalized intervention and prevention plans that address the specific behavioral and academic concerns of each student served. Conduct regular oneonone mentoring sessions, using Opportunity Now’s “Check & Connect” model to teach strategies for decisionmaking, accountability, and personal growth. Mediate peer conflicts, support problemsolving, and coordinate individualized services in collaboration with school counselors, intervention teams, and Opportunity Now leadership. Follow all Opportunity Now and school partner policies and procedures for maintaining the integrity of the program with quality support, student discipline, classroom maintenance, safety, behavior management, and the security of all individuals and supplies at their disposal. Adapt teaching and mentoring strategies to meet diverse student needs and learning styles, always focused on maximizing student engagement and retention. Provide students with professional and constructive feedback about their school performance, including behavior, attendance, academic effort, and social development. Collaborate closely with school personnel, including teachers, deans, counselors, and administrators to ensure consistent communication and support. Participate in relevant meetings, such as staff meetings, trainings, curriculum development sessions, and individual supervision with Lead Engagement Specialist and/or Program Manager. Accurately complete and submit all required documentation, including monthly reports, attendance logs, incident reports, and intervention summaries by set deadlines. Support students in setting academic, behavioral, and personal goals, offering consistent encouragement, redirection, and reinforcement to promote progress. Maintain open communication and build strong working relationships with school partners, administrators, and Opportunity Now team members. Skills and Competencies Demonstrates the ability to work independently and effectively with diverse individuals. Must show strong selfmotivation while also being receptive to guidance in order to contribute meaningfully as a collaborative team member. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with individuals from a wide range of professional and cultural backgrounds Ability to work with and be sensitive to a diverse cultural, ethnic and racial population Must be highly organized, flexible and able to work well with others. Knowledge of Microsoft Office and Windows based computer application Physical and Mental School and job assignment travel required. Regularly required to sit, prolonged standing, walk, talk, hear; operate a computer and other office equipment. Work in a classroom environment engaging with multiple personality types in conjunction with cultural differences and learning styles. Work with a variety of populations, including atrisk youth and adults, and individuals with disabilities. Be Open to OffTopic Conversations at proper times for discussion and building a rapport with students (ex. Politics, Current Events, Life)