Teaching Assistant

Lutheran Social Services of WI & Upper MI is currently seeking a Teaching Assistant to join the staff at Visions Junior/Senior High School which provides onsite education in a residential program for adolescent males ages 10 - 18 yrs old. Visions Junior/Senior High School develops and implements individual education programs for each troubled-youth to meet his educational needs. Visions offers small class sizes and an adult-to-student ratio of 1:5.

This is a full-time, benefit eligible opportunity with a traditional teaching schedule and the option to also pick up summer school if desired.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary from time to time.

• Assists customers in classroom work, providing individual and group tutoring while encouraging and enabling them to reach their fullest potential cognitively, socially, and physically.
• Explains concepts and educational materials to students.
• Assists customers with their adjustment to the appropriate social behaviors expected in classrooms and learning environments.
• May instruct a class in certain subject matter areas under the direction of a Teacher.
• Establishes and maintains effective working and public relationships.
• Prepares reports concerning customers' progress and problems.
• Provide positive role model behaviors to customers.
• Follows written and oral instructions in the performance of duties.
• Participates as a member of a quality team and interacts with primary, external, and internal customers of the agency in such a way that the customer experiences increasing quality.
• Performs other duties as required.

PERKS:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
  
  
  
  • By being employed with LSS, which is a non-profit agency, you can be eligible for loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
  • Loans are eligible to be forgiven after 10 years of on-time and consistent payments through the income-based re-payment plan.
  
  
  
  
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Flex Spending for Dependent & Health Care
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid Time Off
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Ability to Contribute to 403B
• LSS makes annual raises a priority for employees
• Employee Assistance Program
• Service Awards and Recognition

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Upon offer, candidates must successfully complete the necessary background, caregiver, medical and any other checks required, according to program requirements. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
High School Diploma or GED equivalency is required. Bachelors Degree in Human Services., which includes Social Work, Psychology or Sociology, Law Enforcement or a closely related field preferred. A minimum of one (1) year of work experience in the field of Human Services is preferred. Other knowledge and abilities include:
* Ability to complete and display competency in all required trainings
* Working knowledge and understanding of child development
* Possess emotional integrity to work with challenging at-risk youth and families
* Ability to recognize and maintain appropriate personal and professional boundaries
* Ability to establish and maintain effective team, public and working relationships
* Ability to accept the diversity of others
* Ability to build rapport with clients and to develop advanced communication and processing skills
* Ability to take a proactive approach to correct an unsafe situation
* Ability to consistently recognize, promote and model strength-based, trauma sensitive care
* The employee must have the ability to calculate figures and amounts such as basic math which includes addition, subtraction, division, and percentage as well as money management skills.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
Must have a valid driver's license and have reliable transportation to perform the essential duties of the role; a motor vehicle check (MVR) with a satisfactory driving record per the LSS Driver Safety Procedure is required, and ability to meet LSS auto insurance requirements.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to communicate both in verbal and written format, effectively and efficiently in job.
Must possess the ability to read, write, analyze, and interpret data to complete all required intervention and goal process documentation by established timeframes; must be able to write progress reports and clearly communicate to referring agencies the effectiveness of services; must be able to accurately, legibly, objectively and consistently document the services provided; must have the ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of employees, managers, directors and executive leadership.

REASONING ABILITY
Employee must possess the ability to creatively solve problems appropriately using past experience, reading, writing, and math skills; have the ability to use patience, self-control and flexibility when required; have the ability to accept and follow through with direction; and possess the ability to recognize boundaries. The employee must be a team member who can suggest and implement strategies to enhance services.

COMPUTER SKILLS/TECHNOLOGY:
Working knowledge of computers to allow employee to access computer systems and applications to complete timecards, read and respond to email, and complete required on-line training.

Able to use technology that is necessary to perform job responsibilities; use available technology effectively (voicemail, computer, printer, photocopier, scanner, fax and telephone, and various types of audio visual equipment)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The job allows the employee to vary physical position or activity for comfort and may be required to stand and /or walk for 8 hours or longer. While performing the duties of this job, the worker is frequently (i.e. 34% to 66% of the time) required to bend/stoop, grasp, handle objects, fine manipulation, fingering and lift up to 10 lbs. In addition the worker is occasionally(1% to 33% of the time) required to lift 11 to 25 lbs, Climb, Kneel, Crouch, Twist, Reach above shoulder height and below. The worker is rarely (less than 1% of the time) required to lift clients or objects (between 26 lbs to 75 lbs) or push/pull up to 50lbs.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must respond appropriately in times of crisis that may include verbal and physical aggression from the clients served. The employee must recognize and take appropriate action if signs of abuse or neglect are present. The employee must understand and be able to evaluate the potential need for non-emergency medical attention as well as potential medical and/or behavioral emergency.

The employee of this position works in a community-like atmosphere and will be exposed to outdoor weather conditions during work hours.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

TRAVEL: Ability to travel on day trips as required up to 10%. Some overnight travel may be required.

LSS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.