Join Our Mission

The Bilingual Youth Education Specialist is responsible for assisting with appropriate learning activities and experiences designed to fulfill students' potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth and enabling students to develop competencies and skills to function successfully in their communities.

Goal of our Sheltered Hearts Program

Our goal is to provide safe and timely reunification for a child and their family or suitable sponsor.

In partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services, the Sheltered Hearts Program provides family reunification and short-term shelter for children who have entered the United States without a guardian. Children reside in our family-style cottage located on our 2,000-acre campus while our bilingual staff provide a safe and nurturing environment for children.

Job Responsibilities

• Assists classroom teacher in facilitating lesson plan instructions to students, including 1:1 and small group assistance when necessary.
• Provides input and helps facilitate social and emotional learning components of lesson plans.
• Responsible for observing, implementing, monitoring and completing specific reports regarding student performance and behaviors in the classroom (i.e. Critical Incident Reports, Reflection Reports, Daily Logs).
• Responsible for grading appropriate academic tests under the guidance of the classroom teacher Responsible for providing pre-crisis intervention and conflict resolution with student, including implementing and using Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) principles, approved behavior modification techniques/strategies and physical restraints.
• Recommends appropriate reward and consequence outcomes for the student's behaviors, including adherence to school rules and procedures
• Assists with facilitating of youth in dining hall and support appropriate transition and communication of concerns to residential staff.
• This position will comply will all federal, state and local laws and regulations, including those or ORR, ICE and the NYS Office of Children and Family Services.

Job Requirements

• Minimum of Associate's degree in education required; Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 1 - 3 years of experience in academic environment supporting at risk students and/or special education programs.
• Ability to converse in English and Spanish
• NYS Teaching Assistant Certification preferred. NYS Teaching Assistant Certification required after 3 months from date of hire
• Varicella Vaccine required OR titers indicating varicella immunity OR documentation from a healthcare provider verifying previous infection.
• MMR (Measles Mumps & Rubella vaccine required OR titers indicating immunity to all three diseases.
• Tdap (Tetanus-diptheria-pertussis) vaccine required.
• Influenza vaccine required, one dose annually during flu season.
• Physical (Medical Exam) required.
• Must be able to work 9AM-5PM during new hire orientation to complete TCI(Therapeutic Crisis Intervention), CPR and Sanctuary training. Must maintain TCI and CPR certification.
• Required to be 21 years or older.
• Must have a current, valid driver's license per Agency guidelines. Travel required.

Additional Information:

The Sheltered Hearts program in Canaan, NY offers staff housing options for full time employees.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Berkshire Farm Center & Services for Youth is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability, marital status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and accessible environment where diversity is valued and recognized as a source of strength and enrichment. We seek to attract talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures.

As a federal contractor, Berkshire Farm Center & Services for Youth will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)