Senior Special Education Policy Manager or Special Education Policy Manager

Advocates For Children (AFC) is a dynamic social justice 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, or involvement in the child welfare or juvenile/criminal legal systems. We use uniquely integrated strategies to advance systemic reform, empower families and communities, and advocate for the educational rights of individual students. For more information on AFC, see www.advocatesforchildren.org.

JOB SUMMARY

AFC seeks a Senior Special Education Policy Manager or a Special Education Policy Manager, depending on experience and qualifications of the selected candidate. This role will lead our policy work advocating to strengthen education for students with disabilities in New York City. The role will coordinate a large coalition focused on special education in New York City and also coordinate advocacy for AFC’s policy priorities related to students with disabilities at the city and state levels. AFC’s policy priorities are based on our on-the-ground experience helping thousands of individual families navigate New York City’s education system every year.

A Senior Special Education Policy Manager would be expected to fulfill the responsibilities below with a higher degree of independence, strategic leadership, and policy expertise.

This position will report to AFC’s Policy Director.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following tasks:

• Coordinate with AFC staff to develop and advocate for AFC’s policy priorities related to students with disabilities.
• Lead and support the Action for Reform in Special Education (ARISE) Coalition, a coalition of more than 120 parents, educators, and advocacy organizations working to improve the day-to-day experiences and long-term outcomes of students with disabilities in New York City.
• Coordinate with AFC staff to identify trends in AFC’s casework and develop strategies to address systemic barriers to education for students with disabilities.
• Track, monitor, and analyze proposed changes in policy and practice, legislation, regulations, and budget proposals at the city and state levels related to students with disabilities.
• Represent AFC and/or ARISE in meetings with policymakers such as NYC Department of Education staff and legislative staff, as well as at community forums, press conferences, and legislative hearings.
• Draft policy letters, fact sheets, issue briefs, reports, action alerts, press releases, memos, case examples, social media content, and other written materials to advance AFC’s and/or ARISE’s policy goals.
• Prepare materials for meetings with policymakers and respond to requests for information related to special education policy from policymakers, advocacy groups, the media, and the public.
• Support impacted families and other stakeholders in participating in advocacy efforts such as testifying and speaking with the press.
• Conduct research on issues related to special education by reviewing existing literature and web resources and interviewing stakeholders.
• Draft, update, and disseminate informational materials for parents and professionals on education policy affecting students with disabilities and conduct trainings and speak to groups related to this topic.
• Set annual goals for special education policy advocacy, monitor progress, and provide reports as needed.
• Write grant reports and proposals relating to special education policy work.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Understanding of and alignment with AFC’s mission. Please review AFC’s work at advocatesforchildren.org.
• Strong commitment to advancing AFC’s policy priorities.
• BA or BS degree required. Master’s degree or equivalent in public policy, law, or a related field is preferred.
• For the Special Education Policy Manager role, candidates should have at least 5 years of relevant experience.
• For the Senior Special Education Policy Manager role, consistent with AFC’s guidelines for becoming a senior manager, candidates should have at least 8 years of relevant experience, including at least 3-5 years of experience managing projects and/or teams.
• Knowledge of special education law and policy is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of the NYC education system is preferred.
• Knowledge of the NYC legislative and budget processes is preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including ability to adapt style for length and intended audience.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to effectively engage across cultures, identities, and ethnicities.
• Experience working in coalitions and the ability to work in a team environment with diverse colleagues and allies. Experience leading coalitions or other collective efforts successfully is a plus.
• Strong organizational skills, ability to set priorities, and comfort with working on multiple issues and projects at the same time.
• Highly detail-oriented.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to think and plan strategically.
• Desire to learn, both as an individual and as part of an organization, and apply diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism principles.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office products, including Word and Excel.
• Fluency in Spanish is a plus, but is not required.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends and to travel periodically within NYS.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Candidates should submit a resume and cover letter highlighting why they are interested in this role at AFC and how their experience aligns with the Senior Special Education Policy Manager or Special Education Policy Manager position, including any personal or professional experience that demonstrates their connection to the populations AFC serves.

The position is available immediately, and resumes will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Due to the high volume of applicants, only qualified candidates will be contacted.

COMPENSATION

This is a full-time position, with a salary in the $76,385 to $84,000 range for the Special Education Policy Manager position and in the $89,116 to $110,000 range for the Senior Special Education Policy Manager position, depending on experience, and includes a comprehensive benefits package.

This position is expected to work at least 2 days a week in the office and may generally work remotely on the remaining days.

ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION INFORMATION

AFC’s current compensation package includes medical and dental insurance, with a plan option that covers full payment of medical plan premiums for staff and their qualified dependents. AFC has generous time-off policies that include 10 federal holidays, office closure between Christmas and New Year’s Day, and 15 vacation days and 15 paid time off days in the first year of employment. AFC also currently offers a 403(b) plan with a fully vested employer match and coverage of the premium cost of life insurance, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance.

AFC is an equal opportunity employer that actively seeks to recruit and retain a diverse staff and especially encourages all applications including from people of color, persons with disabilities, parents of persons with disabilities, persons of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or gender expressions and persons of diverse 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. To request accommodations, please email HR@advocatesforchildren.org.