Current Job Openings

Work-Readiness Social Worker

Job Summary

Tech Kids Unlimited (TKU) is seeking a Work-Readiness Social Worker with a strong background in education, excellent program management skills, an understanding of neurodiversity and career readiness programs. This role will be responsible for coordinating Career Ladder programs and leveraging their social work expertise to support teens and young adults at TKU. The role involves managing a part-time Social Work Intern Supervisor, who in turn oversees two social work graduate students completing their fieldwork at TKU. As a member of the admin team, the Work Readiness Social worker will oversee the implementation of Social-Emotional Learning in all TKU programs.The ideal candidate is committed to providing person-centered work and demonstrates compassion and enthusiasm. They will become part of a collaborative team that includes six full-time staff members, three part-time staff members, and 15 teaching artists.

Target start date: September 16, 2024 or earlier. 

Responsibilities

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Programming (30%)

• Supervise Social Work Supervisor and work with the social workers’ team to implement SEL initiatives into programs.
• Ensure Social Emotional programming is integrated into all workforce programs 
• Oversee Social Workers in the CRISP program.
• Provide occasional SEL training to staff.
• Adapt and develop evidence-based SEL curriculum and resources for neurodiverse learners. 
• Develop relationships with students and families to provide support and resources as needed. 
• Advise staff in social-emotional situations that arise in the classroom. 
• Provide crisis intervention for students as needed. 

Programs Management (20%)

• Develop applications for Career Ladder Programs and manage the application process, including outreach with the Partnership & Outreach Coordinator, and interview with eligible students. 
• Advise students on how to navigate TKU’s Career Ladder programs and which program fits their needs and goals. 
• Oversee two Career Ladder programs (CRISP and CAP), as well as support Education staff working in the programs.
• Oversee and manage curriculum for the summer internship program in accordance with Curriculum & Learning Specialist. 
• Advise the Education Team on unique considerations for work-readiness programs related to program schedules and descriptions.
• Support special events and tech socials. 
• Provide direction to staff working in career ladder programs, in collaboration with the program director.
• Support Education Director in administering program evaluations.

Partnership Coordination (25%)

• Maintain relationships with worksite partners for Career Ladder Programs, including regular communication during the summer internship program.
• Manage relationships with clients for work-based learning programs, including outreach to potential clients, collecting and managing client assets, creating client briefs for work-based learning program educators, oversight of client feedback visits, and delivery of the final product.
• Foster and develop relationships with partners at city agencies for workforce development programs such as SYEP (Department of Youth and Community Development), and the DOE’s Transition, CDOS-related activities, with support from the Executive Director. 

*See a description of Career Ladder Programs at the end of this document. 

Work-Based Learning Resource Development (10%)

• Develop work-readiness resources including presentations and documents for program outreach.
• Curate employment resources for program development.
• Research and note relevant WBL and employment resources and toolkits for integration and inspiration. 
• Develop and refine resources for worksite and client partners about working with neurodiverse employees in ways that are equitable and strengths-based in addition to being compliant with disability rights laws.

Alumni Relations (10%)

• Lead alumni relations administration, program and activities including Alumni Events.
• Develop alumni relations initiatives, including resources and referrals for the students.
• Maintain relationships with alumni.

Administrative Tasks (5%)

• Keep organized records of program activities and partnerships according to established procedures.
• Serve as a key member of the Education Team to provide support to all education activities.
• Help market Career Ladder programs ensuring student participation.

Reports To

Education Director

Qualifications and Skills:

Must Haves – 

• Strong interpersonal skills for compassionately managing relationships with students, families, and partners. 
• A Master’s Degree in Social Work is preferred or a Mental Health counseling degree. 
• 2+ years of experience working with students in an educational or school setting.
• Interest in workforce development for neurodiverse teens & young adults. A  passion for promoting neurodiversity and inclusive education is essential.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities for student outreach, interviews, and correspondence. 
• Proven ability to network and build partnerships that support program growth and expansion, both locally and virtually.
• Demonstrated ability to represent an organization to a wide range of stakeholders and constituencies (parents, educators, community partners). 
• Strong organizational abilities to manage, track, and coordinate efficiently.
• Ability to independently produce high-quality work, delegate, and problem-solve.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues to achieve shared goals and contribute to a positive work environment.
• Willingness to travel occasionally and participate in evening and weekend networking events.
• Availability for hybrid work, with 2 set days per week in downtown Brooklyn.
• On-site work is required 5 days a week during summer programs which run from July to mid-August.

Nice to Haves – 

• Knowledge of the educational and workforce landscape, particularly in New York City.
• Knowledge of disability rights laws and best practices for working with neurodiverse individuals
• Candidates with relevant experience in nonprofit management, community outreach, partnership development, and event coordination will be strongly preferred. 
• Experience in event planning and coordination, including logistical arrangements, setup, and execution of special events.

Benefits 

• This is a full-time salaried position.
• Sick and mental health days as needed, within limits.
• 100% health coverage for the employee paid by the organization after 3 months of the start date.
• Full-time employees receive 12 days of vacation during their first year of service, plus 6 federal holidays. 
• Paid leave during TKU’s Winter Break, between December 24 – January 2.
• Organizational laptop, to be returned at the end of tenure.
• Earbuds or Headphones
• Budget for home office equipment (desk, chair, 2nd screen)
• Professional development opportunities including attendance at national educational conferences.  

Compensation

$70,000 to $72,000

Anti-Discrimination Policy

TKU believes in the inherent value of diversity and equal opportunity, recognizing that a truly diverse workforce will bring a wider array of perspectives, as well as more innovative and effective solutions, to our programs and organization. TKU is an equal employment opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital status or status as a Vietnam-Era or special disabled Veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. TKU will provide reasonable accommodation to otherwise qualified individuals with a disability consistent with the law. What constitutes a reasonable accommodation depends on the circumstances and thus will be addressed by TKU on a case-by-case basis.

To Apply

Send resume and cover letter highlighting why you are the best person for this position to hiring@techkidsunlimited.org; indicate the Job Title in the subject line. We will be contacting and interviewing qualified candidates. No phone calls.

*Career Ladder Programs

Creative Tech Internship (CTI): The program meets every Friday throughout the school year. Students gain experience in creative tech-based fields; many receive high school/college credit. Students learn coding and software and practice social soft skills. This program runs simultaneously online and in-person. A social worker supports the students with social emotional learning.

Digital Agency (DA): This virtual program is for teens/young adults with advanced technology skills who work on real client-based projects. Students join a 12-week program offered 3 times a year and receive a stipend per cycle. Recent projects: website redesign for local speech therapist, new logo for an HR company. Website: www.tkuagency.com 

College Access Program (CAP): which is offered online in the Fall and Spring. This program targets high school students in the 9-11th grades to give them knowledge around attending college. Many special needs programs and schools discourage neurodiverse students from attending college and this program counteracts this by offering a dedicated time for these students to think about and explore college options while learning about disability laws and self-advocacy.

Tech Teacher

Teachers create curriculum and teach technology and digital media arts workshops on a variety of topics to neurodiverse youth, teens, and young adults. Topics include Graphic Design, Coding, Game Design, Music Production, Video Editing, and more. Ideal candidates will be multidisciplinary. Teachers are trained and supported by the Education Director to complete work with neurodiverse learners and develop curriculum following TKU’s pedagogical model. Teachers must have previous teaching experience.  

TKU offers both online and in-person workshops at our location in Downtown Brooklyn.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Develop curriculum for weeklong, single-day, and special event workshops; submit curriculum for review in a timely manner.
• Teach weeklong, single-day, and special event workshops for groups of approx. 15 students, actively engaging with individual students and the full group. 
• Demonstrate strong classroom management skills.
• Collaborate with other classroom staff including assistant teachers, tech counselors, social workers, and occupational therapists.
• Communicate issues or incidents to administrators for support.
•  Attend occasional staff training and professional development meetings. 

‍Qualifications and Skills

• Experience in a selection of digital media disciplines such as Graphic Design, Music Production, Video Editing, Game Design, Coding, or others.
• 3-5 years of experience teaching elementary, middle, high school, and/or college aged learners in a school or out of school setting required.  
• Experience working with neurodiverse students or students with disabilities is a plus. 
• Experience developing curriculum and implementing lesson plans. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Virtual and in-person teaching experience is a plus.
• Knowledge of classroom management or youth development best practices.

Compensation & Benefits 

Hourly teaching rate: $75 per hour (prep time is included in the hourly teaching rate)

Covid-19 Vaccination Policy

As per the requirements listed by NYU where TKU programs are held, all TKU employees are required to be fully vaccinated (including booster vaccination) against COVID-19, to upload proof of their vaccination to NYU’s portal, and to have that vaccination documentation accepted by NYU.

Anti-Discrimination Policy

TKU believes in the inherent value of diversity and equal opportunity, recognizing that a truly diverse workforce will bring a wider array of perspectives, as well as more innovative and effective solutions, to our programs and organization. TKU is an equal employment opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital status or status as a Vietnam-Era or special disabled Veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. TKU will provide reasonable accommodation to otherwise qualified individuals with a disability consistent with the law. What constitutes a reasonable accommodation depends on the circumstances and thus will be addressed by TKU on a case-by-case basis.

To Apply

Send resume and cover letter to hiring@techkidsunlimited.org

*Please indicate the Job Title of “TKU Teacher” in the subject line.

Social Worker

The Social Worker will assist students with social and emotional support during workshops. Social Workers may work one-on-one with students as-needed to address social and emotional needs that arise during the workshop. Social Workers will be responsible for taking attendance and contacting parents/guardians about unexpected absences, conflicts, incidents and other concerning student behaviors or interactions during workshops. Social Workers will keep a log of student information related to support needs and behaviors to enable the workshop team to provide tailored support to learners. They will be asked to share insights with families at the end of the summer for students who enroll in many workshops

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TKU offers both online and in-person workshops at our location in Downtown Brooklyn.

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Responsibilities and Duties

• Take attendance and contact families for unexpected absences, lateness, incidents, and concerning behaviors. 
• Observation of students’ strengths and challenges.
• Modeling positive behavior (clean and appropriate language, hand raising, active listening, troubleshooting, social engagement, appropriate personal space)
• Validating and normalizing students’ feelings and concerns.
• Communicate with the Teacher and other classroom staff about student needs and provide guidance on supporting those needs.
• Keeping track of student medicine (only that provided explicitly by families). 
• Help other staff respond to sensitive situations involving student comments, interactions, or behaviors. 
• Help students calm down if they feel frustrated, overwhelmed, or have a meltdown. Help students learn to recognize signs they are starting to feel overwhelmed and communicate about them.
• In the event of an incident or minor injury (paper cut, skinned knee, etc.) with or between students the Social Worker will notify the administrator on duty, describing the incident. The administrator will notify the parent.
• Taking charge of a headcount in the event of an evacuation/fire drill. 
• Communicate regularly with parents about their students’ behavior in the classroom as needed, always cc’ing administrators. 

‍Qualifications and Skills

• Must be enrolled in or have completed a Social Work graduate program.
• Experience working with neurodiverse individuals required.
• Experience working with youth, teens, and young adults in an educational or youth development setting required. 
• Experience with crisis management or addressing challenging behaviors required. 
• Passion for supporting and encouraging young people.
• Must be self-motivated, a team player, and exercise patience/professionalism.
• Exceptional communication skills and patience. 
• Knowledge of classroom management or youth development best practices a plus.

Compensation & Benefits 

Hourly rate: $30 per hour

Schedule Requirements

To join our staff for summer programs, social workers must be available July 10th – August 4th 2023, Monday – Friday from 9:30am – 5:00pm ET virtually or in-person at our location in Downtown Brooklyn.

Additional opportunities may become available as programs are added to the schedule.

Candidates available to work both online and in-person at our location in Downtown Brooklyn  will be given preference. 

Covid-19 Vaccination Policy

As per the requirements listed by NYU where TKU programs are held, all TKU employees are required to be fully vaccinated (including booster vaccination) against COVID-19, to upload proof of their vaccination to NYU’s portal, and to have that vaccination documentation accepted by NYU.

Anti-Discrimination Policy

TKU believes in the inherent value of diversity and equal opportunity, recognizing that a truly diverse workforce will bring a wider array of perspectives, as well as more innovative and effective solutions, to our programs and organization. TKU is an equal employment opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital status or status as a Vietnam-Era or special disabled Veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. TKU will provide reasonable accommodation to otherwise qualified individuals with a disability consistent with the law. What constitutes a reasonable accommodation depends on the circumstances and thus will be addressed by TKU on a case-by-case basis.

To Apply

Send resume and cover letter to hiring@techkidsunlimited.org

*Please indicate the Job Title of “TKU Social Worker” in the subject line.

Tech Counselor 

Tech Counselors assist with students’ tech needs in the classroom. Students learn programming such as Graphic Design, Coding, Game Design, and more. Tech counselors will use their expertise to help the teacher and keep students engaged. Tech counselors should be kind and patient, but no experience working with children or neurodiverse students is required, although a plus. Opportunities to teach and be involved with more programming possible in the future. 

Responsibilities and Duties

• Assist students with tech projects and tasks one-on-one and in small groups.
• Help students help themselves by asking questions, making suggestions, and breaking down instructions into discreet steps. 
• Model self-advocacy, a growth mindset, and and social and emotional skills such as self-awareness, social awareness, and responsible decision making.
• Assist the teacher with classroom and resource set up and clean up.
• Engage students socially about their interests, hobbies, passions, and encourage them to engage with each other. 
• Help students with wayfinding (to the bathroom, lunch area, classroom, etc.)
• Observe and interact with students during lunchtime.
• Maintain a safe environment for all students.

‍Qualifications and Skills

• Experience in a selection of digital media disciplines such as Graphic Design, Music Production, Video Editing, Game Design, Coding, or others.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Patient and compassionate attitude.
• Experience working with elementary, middle, high school, and/or college aged learners is a plus. 
• Experience working with neurodiverse students or students with disabilities is a plus.  
• At least 18 years old or possess a high school diploma.

Compensation & Benefits 

Counselor Rate: $22 per hour

Candidates with teaching experience may be eligible for the Assistant Teacher Role. Assistant Teachers are responsible for reviewing the curriculum before class and being prepared to teach in the event the teacher is unable to lead the class.

Assistant Teacher Rate: $35 per hour.

Covid-19 Vaccination Policy

As per the requirements listed by NYU where TKU programs are held, all TKU employees are required to be fully vaccinated (including booster vaccination) against COVID-19, to upload proof of their vaccination to NYU’s portal, and to have that vaccination documentation accepted by NYU.

Anti-Discrimination Policy

TKU believes in the inherent value of diversity and equal opportunity, recognizing that a truly diverse workforce will bring a wider array of perspectives, as well as more innovative and effective solutions, to our programs and organization. TKU is an equal employment opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital status or status as a Vietnam-Era or special disabled Veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. TKU will provide reasonable accommodation to otherwise qualified individuals with a disability consistent with the law. What constitutes a reasonable accommodation depends on the circumstances and thus will be addressed by TKU on a case-by-case basis.

To Apply

Send resume and cover letter to hiring@techkidsunlimited.org

*Please indicate the Job Title of “TKU Counselor” in the subject line.