Parent Advocate, Temporary (MAC)

Massachusetts Advocates For Children, Inc.; Boston (MA); Remote; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

Massachusetts Advocates for Children seeks a committed individual to work with REAP as a temporary, part-time parent advocate in Boston. The role centers on partnering with families and community organizations to advance racial equity in education, support students with disabilities, and provide information through MAC’s Helpline, with meetings held virtually due to the pandemic.

You will coordinate online meetings, conduct outreach, and develop resources to engage Boston parents and families.

Qualifications

• Commitment to advancing racial equity.
• Experience partnering with parents, students, and families to advance change in education.
• Experience with special education advocacy.
• Knowledge of Boston Public Schools and special education.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.
• Ability to be flexible and to work both independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with social media and video conferencing.
• Sense of humor.

Responsibilities

• Work with the REAP project director to create and facilitate online meetings/spaces that center the needs of Boston parents, students, and families.
• Conduct direct outreach and partner with families and community organizations to amplify the voices of the Black community in Boston.
• Work with REAP and the Boston Coordination Group, a group focused on education in Boston Public Schools and includes advocates and members from various organizations.
• Develop community resources and write articles on issues impacting Boston parents and families, as needed.
• Provide information and resources to Boston families through MAC’s Helpline; helpline work supervised by MAC’s managing attorney.
• Attend community meetings and related meetings throughout Boston; meetings are held virtually due to COVID-19.
• Additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Skills

Racial equity commitment

Parent/family engagement

Special education advocacy

Knowledge of Boston Public Schools

Time management

Problem solving

Communication skills

Teamwork

Social media/video conferencing

Sense of humor

Job description

Massachusetts Advocates for Children (MAC) isoverfiftyyearsoldand is amission-driven advocacy and direct service nonprofit organization dedicated to removing barriers to educational and life opportunities for children and youth. Based in Boston,MACemploysa racial equitylensto improve educational options for childrenand youth, while also helping one family at a time.

MAC seeksa committed individual towork withREAPas atemporary,part-time parent advocate. The parent advocate will focus onpartnering withtheBlackcommunityin Bostontoaddressracial equity in education.Reportingprimarilyto the project director of REAP, the parent advocate willhave the opportunity toengage in direct outreach, create resources,further focus onthe needs ofBostonstudents with disabilities, and work at the intersection of race and disability.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with the REAPprojectdirectorto createandfacilitateonlinemeetings/online spacesthatcenterthe needs ofBoston parents, students, and families.Duties include, but are not necessarily limited to, setting uponlinemeetings, managing logistics, and conducting outreach.
• Conduct direct outreach and partner with families and community organizationstoamplifythe voices of the Blackcommunityin Boston.
• Work withREAPandthe Boston Coordination Group,whichis a groupfocused on education in Boston Public Schools andincludesadvocates andmembers from various organizations.
• Develop community resourcesand write articleson issues impacting Boston parents and families, as needed.
• Provide information and resources to Boston familiesthrough MAC’s Helpline.Helpline work will be supervised by MAC’s managing attorney.
• Attendcommunitymeetingsand related meetingsthroughout Boston. *Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, meetings areheld virtually.
• Additional duties and responsibilitiesas assigned.

DesiredQualifications and Skills:

• Commitment to advancingracial equity
• Experienceand enthusiasm forpartnering with parents, students, and families toadvancechangein education
• Experience with special education advocacy
• Knowledge of Boston Public Schoolsand special education
• Excellent time managementand organizational skills
• Excellent problem-solvingand communication skills
• Ability tobe flexible and toworkbothindependently and as a part of a teamin a fast-paced environment
• Experience with social mediaandvideo conferencing
• Sense of humor

Compensation:

• This position is apart-time and temporaryrole with MAC’s downtown Boston office.Currently,MAC’s physical office remains closed due to the COVID-19 pandemicand MAC staff are working remotely.
• The position is currently funded until December 15, 2020.There is a possibility of renewal depending on funding, but please note that the renewal is notguaranteed.
• Thecompensationis an hourly rate of $25/hourfor up to20 hours per week.Weekly hoursmay vary.
• Work with a collegial and inspiring team!

Massachusetts Advocates for Children is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.