Job Description

Advocates for Children of New York, Inc. (AFC) seeks an Education Specialist for its Jill Chaifetz Education Helpline determined to make a difference for NYC families struggling to gain educational services for their children in the country’s largest school district during an unparalleled time of difficulty for low-income families.

The Education Specialist gathers and analyzes information from callers, identifies issues and provides guidance, information, and assistance regarding a wide variety of issues facing students and families in the New York City school system.  The Education Specialist also works with AFC staff to identify trends and emerging policy issues in NYC public schools. Please see below for a more detailed description of the job responsibilities.

The Education Specialist is one of five full-time staff on the Helpline and reports to the Helpline Supervisor. The Helpline team works collaboratively with each other and with other AFC advocates and attorneys.  This position is open immediately and would start remotely until such time as AFC returns to in-person work.

AFC is a not-for-profit organization that strives to ensure a high-quality education for New York students who face barriers to academic success, focusing on students from low-income backgrounds. AFC works on behalf of children and youth who are at greatest risk of academic failure due to poverty, race, ethnicity, disability, homelessness, immigration status/limited English proficiency, sexual orientation, gender identity, or involvement in the child welfare or juvenile justice systems. We use uniquely integrated strategies to advance systemic reform, empower families and communities, and advocate for the educational rights of individual students.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide information and guidance to families and service providers on a wide variety of school-related issues.
• Conduct initial intakes, gather documents, and assess cases for legal representation.
• Maintain clear and accurate records of all calls and activities in case management database (Salesforce).
• Develop a strong understanding of DOE regulations and protocols, and stay on top of new developments in public schools.
• Maintain updated information and referral sources for AFC guides and tip sheets. Review and update internal documentation for Helpline staff.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Fluency in Spanish or Mandarin is required.
• Commitment to increasing access to quality education for all children in New York City.
• Excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and resourcefulness.
• Ease and comfort with technology.
• Must have the ability to learn complex material and explain it clearly and simply.
• Strong multitasking skills
• Familiarity with the New York City public school system (especially with discipline or special education issues), a history of working with parents, prior hotline experience, and experience with Salesforce are all pluses, but not required.

Compensation:

The salary depends on experience and includes generous benefits.

How to Apply

Please e-mail a cover letter and resume to educationspecialist@advocatesforchildren.org with “Helpline Education Specialist” in the subject line. Candidates should highlight in their cover letter any personal or professional experience that demonstrates their connection to the populations that AFC serves. No phone calls, please. Only candidates being scheduled for interviews will be contacted. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. This position is available immediately, and candidates are encouraged to apply as quickly as possible.

Bureaus: New York. Job Categories: Full-Time. Job Types: Operations / Administration.