The Education Specialist will serve in a critical support role to the GAINS Program Director & Assistant Program Director. The Education Specialist will serve as a member of the Program Leadership Team for the Brownsville GAINS Program. The Education Specialist will give leadership and guidance to the educational aspects of the year-round Brownsville GAINS Program including curriculum development, curriculum implementation and lesson planning.

• Involvement in the total program with willingness to help in all areas as needed, including food service, outdoor/indoor activities, children with problems, field trips, classroom coverage, etc.
• Promote observance of the moral and ethical code affecting program participants and staff
• Must be able to liaise with external (DYCD, OCFS, etc.) and off-site (DHQ) personnel, as necessary
• Understand, promote and facilitate the Mission of The Salvation Army, at all times.
• Ensure that all communications and concerns related to operation of the program, be handled in accordance with the proper protocols for the Brownsville Corps Complex
• Work with the Brownsville Corps Complex staff to foster cooperative relationships, in meeting the holistic needs of the community
• Must attend and contribute to Leadership Team Meetings.
• Responsible for sharing with the Program Directors, all matters of mutual concern relating to the total welfare of the Program
• Must work to further develop an Arts-centered Literacy-based program, to meet the expectations of funders from a Thematic Learning perspective
• Responsible to develop and maintain quality standards of education and nurturing of the children throughout the total day of the program’s operation.
• Responsible to identify, plan, implement and maintain a comprehensive curriculum that not only aligns with the learning standards, goals, assessments, and instructional strategies but also addresses the educational, social, developmental and health needs of the groups, as well as the individual child.
• Ensure that staff understand the educational and developmental needs of each child, in the development of lessons plan and activities
• Responsible to assist with the professional growth and development of staff (in relation to lesson planning & curriculum), through trainings and observations
• Helping staff find practical application for theoretical knowledge
• Maintaining professional relationships in dealing with staff
• Develop and maintain positive ongoing relationships with parents, through informal contacts or planned conferences and appropriately shared information about children’s progress
• Review all lesson plans prepared by all enrichment instructors. Make sure age appropriate.
• Coordinate daily Town Hall Meetings.

• Must have BA/BS Degree in child development, elementary education, physical education, recreation or a relate field.
• Must have experience in lesson planning, curriculum development and implementation of structured programming for students in elementary and middle school.
• Must be able to complete assigned work schedule.