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Education Advocate, PEAK Project

DATE: 4/21/08
UNION STATUS: 1199
PRACTICE/DEPARTMENT: Juvenile Rights
JOB CODE:(various)
REPORTS TO: Rita Horvath, LCSW, Dir.
FULL/PART TIME: FT
LOCATION: Manhattan

To provide education advocacy to JRP’s delinquency and PINS clients, and clients on child protective matters whose school problems are not the result of educationally related disabilities. PEAK project (Providing Education Assistance to Kids) is a city-wide JRP project with team members located in the large trial offices, working closely with JRP’s interdisciplinary trial staff to provide onsite assistance in client representation, identify areas of systemic need, and improve service provision to clients.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

  • Interview clients, family members and witnesses
  • Assess youth’s school functioning and special needs
  • Attend school meetings, conferences and reviews
  • Visit and evaluate schools and other educational programs
  • Obtain and review educational records
  • Facilitate appropriate school placements
  • Develop educational plans to meet client needs and court concerns
  • Reconnect clients to school in their communities
  • Represent clients in school suspension hearings and special education due process hearings
  • Assist with/write appeals
  • Arrange independent evaluations

Secondary Duties/Responsibilities

  • Other appropriate duties

Training And Qualifications

  • Position may be filled by an applicant with an MSW degree OR paralegal certificate from an accredited school, Bachelor's degree in relevant field or satisfactory completion of a comprehensive in-house training course appropriate to the practice area
  • Strong writing, verbal, organization and computer skills
  • Ability to work in a team setting
  • Experience working with children and families
  • Knowledge of education issues and the NYC school system
  • Strong interpersonal and advocacy skills
  • Proficiency in languages other than English desired, but not required
  • Salary commensurate with credentials

TO APPLY:

Please e-mail cover letter and resume and writing sample to NSchrandt@legal-aid.org with the subject line "PEAK-ADV"

The Legal Aid Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Women, People of Color, Gays and Lesbians, Transgender People, Veterans and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.