Description

WHAT YOUR IMPACT WILL BE

The Education Program prides itself on providing its team members with the support and resources necessary to be successful. We believe that education (including early intervention) services are essential in creating opportunity for youth, especially those facing systemic barriers to success, including those who face multiple barriers such as children of color and children with disabilities – both of whom are disproportionately overrepresented in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. We ground our advocacy in our clients’ goals and our vision for creating education equity from an intersectional perspective.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist children with disabilities in the child welfare and juvenile justice system, and their families, to secure the early intervention and special education services they have identified as necessary to their success in school by providing zealous advocacy in IFSP and IEP meetings, informal dispute resolution, mediations, and by filing compliance complaints with the California Department of Education
• Train and supervise pro bono attorneys, interns, and law clerks
• Assist in the development and delivery of community trainings and tools to support clients, caregivers, and other stakeholders (e.g., CASA, social workers, probation officers) in understanding special education and early intervention rights
• Work with the education team to identify and creatively problem solve issues related to ableism, racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. as it arises for our clients and within our internal systems and processes

Requirements

IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL POSSESS

• D. Degree
• At least 1-3 years of legal experience
• California bar admission in good standing
• Personal, educational, or professional experience in: regional center early intervention advocacy, school district special education advocacy; child welfare, juvenile justice, and/or education systems (e.g., former teacher or social worker, CASA,); and/or working with diverse populations, towards goals of equity and racial justice.
• Bilingual Spanish language skills highly preferred.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS  

• Excellent written and oral communication, active listening, and presentation skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with clients, attorneys, medical staff, child welfare professionals, the judiciary, and members of the public
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to work independently and manage competing tasks in a fast-paced environment
• A strong work ethic, dedication, and enthusiasm for taking on responsibility
• Demonstrated ability to work as team member with a pleasant and collegial approach.
• Commitment to social justice
• Experience and comfort building rapport and working effectively with families, children, and young adults
• Experience with early education, education, juvenile dependency or delinquency courts is helpful
• Familiarity with law, legal procedures and protocols, and court system
• Proactive and flexible, with the ability to work in an environment with shifting priorities and demands.