Job Description

Advocates for Children of New York, Inc. (AFC) seeks an attorney to lead our Coalition for Multiple Pathways to a Diploma (“Diploma Coalition”) and direct our Postsecondary Readiness Project (PReP), which advocates for older students to receive the educational support they need to successfully prepare for college and careers and ensure access to meaningful pathways to graduation and effective transition services. The Project Director will partner with the over 80 advocacy organizations, educators, and families across New York State who make up the Diploma Coalition, which fights for more meaningful and equitable pathways to a diploma that do not rely on high-stakes tests.

The Project Director supervises the PReP team, which includes the Social Work Manager and Transition Specialist and a Staff Attorney. The Project Director also trains parents, professionals, and youth on the education rights of older students in New York City; secures critical education services for students through school-based advocacy and IDEA litigation; and leads AFC’s policy advocacy to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for youth transitioning out of high school, particularly overage, undercredited youth, older students with disabilities, and students who require an alternative high school setting.

AFC is a not-for-profit social justice organization that strives to ensure a high-quality education for all New York City students, 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, 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.

 

Job Responsibilities:

The  Project Director will direct PReP’s work and manage the Diploma Coalition while supporting the overall work of Advocates for Children. Key responsibilities include:

• Supervising staff on AFC’s Postsecondary Readiness Project
• Working with Project staff to set annual goals and measure and report back on the Project’s progress
• Writing grant reports and proposals pertaining to the Project
• Scheduling, planning, and running Coalition meetings, drafting Coalition advocacy materials, and corresponding with Coalition members
• Advocating on behalf of students and families experiencing school-related difficulties involving special education, school discipline, enrollment, or other issues; representing students at administrative hearings and mediation when necessary
• Developing resources and conducting trainings for parents, students, and professionals who work with older youth
• Leading AFC’s policy reform advocacy to address systemic barriers to a high school diploma, transition supports, and programming for overage, under-credited students.

 

Qualifications:

• D. degree required; admission to the NYS bar preferred
• At least eight years of advocacy experience, preferably in education or a related field
• Knowledge of relevant education, disability or civil rights laws strongly preferred
• Strong supervisory skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including experience presenting to groups
• Strong interpersonal skills; the ability to negotiate effectively in collaborative and adversarial contexts and manage relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders
• The ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently and as a member of a team
• A commitment and ability to empower the families that are the focus of AFC’s mission
• Spanish language fluency preferred, but not required

Compensation:

The salary for this position ranges from $83,416 – $90,361, depending on experience. AFC’s current compensation package includes full payment of medical plan premiums for a Platinum medical plan for staff and their qualified dependents; dental coverage; coverage of the premium cost of life insurance and long- and short-term disability insurance; a 403(b) plan with a fully vested employer match; 12 weeks of paid parental leave after one year of employment; and generous time-off policies, including 15 vacation days and an additional 15 paid time off days in the first year of employment.

 

AFC is an affirmative action employer that actively seeks to recruit and retain a diverse staff and encourages applications from a broad spectrum of people, including people of color, with disabilities, and of diverse religions, national origins, gender identities, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic backgrounds. AFC is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability or other protected characteristic. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. For more information and to request an accommodation, contact Human Resources at HR@advocatesforchildren.org. For more information on AFC, see www.advocatesforchildren.org.

How to Apply

How to apply:

Please e-mail a resume and cover letter to PRePDirector@advocatesforchildren.org with “PReP Project Director” in the subject line. Candidates should highlight 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. The position is currently in person from our New York City office two days a week and remote on other days. More or less in-person work may be required, depending on the course of the pandemic.

Bureaus: New York. Job Categories: Full-Time. Job Types: Operations / Administration. Salaries: 80,000 - 100,000.