Educational Advocate

Summary:

The Educational Advocate has extensive knowledge about special education programs, 504 Plans, Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), and the California special education system. The Educational Advocate helps guide education rights holders, and parents and caregivers of youth ages 12-22 obtain the resources their child needs by using a non-adversarial approach that enables parents to work more effectively with school personnel. Youth to be serviced shall be youth involved with Ventura County Probation Agency who reside in Ventura county. Youth to be serviced will be those with severe emotional needs. Youth referred may likely to be exposed to domestic violence, abuse, neglect, and trafficking.

Essential Functions:

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  Provide advocacy and support to parents/caregivers and youth with disabilities to ensure access to appropriate educational services and accommodations.
• Review educational records and assessments to identify the child’s needs and advocate for necessary evaluation or services.
• Educate parents and caregivers on their rights under IDEA and Section 504, providing guidance on navigating the special education system.
• Attend Individualized Education Plan (IEP). 504 Plan, and other school meetings, School Attendance Review Board (SARB) meetings, Child and Family and Team (CFT) meetings, and any disciplinary meetings representing the youth’s best interest and ensuring compliance with special education laws.
• Foster collaborative working relationships with parents, Ventura County Probation Agency staff, school/districts, clinicians, and wraparound specialists.
• Participate in mediation and conflict resolution processes when disagreement arise between families and schools.
• Exercise sound judgement as a matter of course and hold protected health information and other sensitive information on the strictest of confidence in accordance with HIPPA policies.
• Provide monthly and quarterly reports.
• Conduct presentations on Educational Advocacy services, as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications:

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  Must be bilingual (Spanish and English).
• Must pass Ventura County Probation Agency Background Investigation
• Personal and/or professional experience participating in IEP meetings or planning sessions.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with families, educators, and service providers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft 365 and Zoom.
• Deep commitment to the organization’s mission and values and the families we serve.
• Flexibility and adaptability (may need to work some evenings).
• Must Pass United Parents Livescan/Background Check, TB Test and possess valid California Driver’s License, proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
• Ability to become CPR/First Aid Certified.
• Organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple cases simultaneously and maintain detailed records.
• Problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Must have reliable transportation and clean DMV record
• Must live in Ventura County.

Schedule: 40 hours/week; schedule depends on client needs. Hours of coverage will be based on client needs. A typical work week will be 9am-5pm, but some days may need to start at 8am and other days may have to end at 7pm- depending on the client needs.

Candidate will be stationed at Ventura County Probation located in Oxnard but will be required to travel throughout the county to attend meetings and committees.

Benefits/Pay: $26/hour. Medical, dental and vision benefits available; 401k registration option available.

Generous (prorated) paid time off includes:

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  14 holidays including Holiday closure (Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day)
• Free / Confidential Employee Assistance Program
• The opportunity to help children thrive!

Send cover letter explaining relevant experience and resume to mhannah@unitedparents.org