Company Description:
Kid CenterEd was born out of a desire to serve the whole child with an integrated team and a holistic approach. While each of our practitioners has many years of experience with other practices and on their own, we’ve come together to provide a broader base of support for students and their families to better help them navigate both private and public educational systems right up through college and adulthood.
Kid CenterEd is seeking a passionate Educational Advocate to join our team. The ideal candidate will be an enthusiastic professional with a background in education and a dedication to advocating for the educational rights of students.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Guide families through the special education process from initial eligibility through graduation or aging out at 22 years old.
2. Problem-solve difficult situations and give families unbiased options and opinions to help them make decisions for their families.
3. Act as a liaison between families, schools, and other educational institutions, ensuring students receive the necessary support to succeed academically.
4. Help parents understand and navigate the educational system, including rights, responsibilities, and services available.
5. Advocate for students with special needs, ensuring they receive appropriate education through Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), 504 plans, and health plans under state and federal laws.
6. Meet with school staff, administrators, and parents to discuss student performance, services, accommodations, and goals.
7. Research and stay updated on current educational laws, policies, and best practices.
8. Facilitate conflict resolution between families and school teams when disagreements about educational programs arise.
9. Provide families with resources and strategies for student learning and development.
10. Develop relationships with other partners, including special education directors, the private 766 school admission teams, experts in the field, and attorneys.
Qualifications:
1. Bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, social work, law, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
2. Experience in educational advocacy, special education, mediation, law, or related field is preferred but not required.
3. In-depth knowledge of educational laws, special education processes, and school systems.
4. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written).
5. Strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills and ability to remain calm in difficult situations.
6. Ability to work collaboratively and build trust with diverse groups of people, including colleagues, students, parents, educators, and administrators.
7. Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times.
Please note the candidate must be committed to promoting equal educational opportunities and ensuring that every student has the resources they need to succeed. Training and ongoing mentorship will be provided to better understand our advocacy model.
This is a hybrid position with some remote and some in-person work. Most work is from September through June, with less work in the summer months.
How to apply: Please send your cover letter, resume, and three references to Angela Gowans at Angela@KidCenterEd..net.