The Community Educator position is unique in that its service venue is comprised of the campus spaces and places where students congregate or, conversely, may isolate. The purpose of this role is to “get to know” the daily routines and needs of our most “at-risk” students in order to better serve them through the existing network of academic structures and supports, as well as through our “wrap-around” services.
Context for the Position
With the distinct composition of the College’s undergraduate population and the likelihood that their pre-Beacon experience was one of marginalization and inattentiveness to essential educational/developmental needs, we know that a certain segment of our students, especially those who have recently entered the College, require close monitoring and guidance. This segment of the undergraduate population are many times ham-strung by not availing themselves of the faculty and academic support and/or developmental services that surround them on an appointment and walk-in basis.
Specific Responsibilities
The Community Educator shall be responsible for performing the following functions and activities:
- Active Presence in Campus Environments
- Spend the majority of work hours in the campus “natural environments” where students gather (e.g., the Dining Commons, Student Center, campus walkways, and student residences).
- Conduct ongoing, informal observations to identify students exhibiting behaviors indicative of stress, anxiety, or reluctance to engage with academic and social support services.
- Behavioral Support and Executive Functioning Reinforcement
- Utilize ABA principles and techniques (e.g., positive reinforcement, modeling, prompting, behavior momentum) to support students experiencing difficulty in real time.
- Reinforce the use of recommended executive functioning strategies. Offer gentle reminders and positive reinforcement to ensure continued use of these skills in the students’ daily routines.
- Provide immediate feedback, encouragement, or redirection to help students manage emotions, avoid negative coping strategies, and adopt more effective behaviors.
- Guidance to Campus Resources
- Help students bridge the gap between their fears, old habits, or anxieties and the resources they need (e.g., counseling, learning specialist)
- Proactively follow up with students to ensure appointments are kept and services are accessed; document these interactions.
- Collaboration with Faculty and Student Services
- Respond to direct requests from faculty or “wrap-around” support staff to locate and guide students to services, classes, or scheduled meetings.
- Provide timely updates and relevant behavioral data to faculty or staff, ensuring a shared understanding of student needs and interventions being implemented.
- Assume other duties as assigned by the Senior Community Educator and/or Vice President of Student Affairs.
Minimum Requirements
- The minimum of a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree preferred in a discipline deemed acceptable to the College;
- Knowledge of and experience in effectively communicating with and motivating the undergraduate population represented at Beacon College;
- Familiarity with the mission of and undergraduate support model employed by Beacon College;
- Proven capacity and training that ensures the successful integration into effective work within the diverse student and employee community that is Beacon College; and
- Willingness to remain with responsibilities that may extend beyond the traditional workday or workweek.