Education Staff Attorney

POSITION SUMMARY
The Alliance for Children’s Rights is seeking a dedicated individual to join our Education Program as a Staff Attorney. This is an exempt, full-time paid position.

ABOUT THE ALLIANCE
The Alliance for Children’s Rights is a nonprofit organization that provides free, holistic, legal services and advocacy to youth and families impacted by child welfare and juvenile justice systems in Los Angeles County. Our lawyers, advocates, and social workers, together with hundreds of pro bono attorneys and community volunteers, work to ensure young people in foster care, the juvenile justice system, and/or guardianships or in adoptive placements can overcome barriers to stability and success and access to the education, healthcare, and financial supports they need. Since 1992, we have helped over 170,000 children and young adults. For more information visit: www.allianceforchildrensrights.org.

To advance our mission of stability, equity, and justice for young people across the state, the Alliance also identifies systemic issues and barriers that impact our clients, and advocates for broad solutions and improvements through ground-breaking child welfare policy reform at the state and local levels.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Assist children with disabilities in the child welfare and juvenile justice system, and their families, to secure the early intervention and special education services they have identified as necessary to their success in school by providing zealous advocacy in IFSP and IEP meetings, informal dispute resolution, mediations, and by filing compliance complaints with the California Department of Education

Train and supervise pro bono attorneys, interns, and law clerks

Assist in the development and delivery of community trainings and tools to support clients, caregivers, and other stakeholders (e.g., CASA, social workers, probation officers) n understanding special education and early intervention rights

Work with the education team to identify and creatively problem solve issues related to ableism, racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. as it arises for our clients and within our internal systems and processes

WHAT YOUR IMPACT WILL BE
The Education Program prides itself on providing its team members with the support and resources necessary to be successful. We believe that education (including early intervention) services are essential in creating opportunity for youth, especially those facing systemic barriers to success, including those who face multiple barriers such as children of color and children with disabilities – both of whom are disproportionately overrepresented in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. We ground our advocacy in our clients’ goals and our vision for creating education equity from an intersectional perspective.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL POSSESS
J.D. Degree

0-3 years of legal experience

California bar admission in good standing (recent graduates who sat for the July bar are welcome to apply; a job offer will not be extended until positive bar results are achieved)

Personal, educational, or professional experience in: regional center early intervention advocacy, school district special education advocacy; child welfare, juvenile justice, and/or education systems (e.g., former teacher or social worker, CASA,); and/or working with diverse populations, towards goals of equity and racial justice.

Bilingual Spanish language skills highly preferred.

This job description is of a general nature and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties of the position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Assist children with disabilities in the child welfare and juvenile justice system, and their families, to secure the early intervention and special education services they have identified as necessary to their success in school by providing zealous advocacy in IFSP and IEP meetings, informal dispute resolution, mediations, and by filing compliance complaints with the California Department of Education

Train and supervise pro bono attorneys, interns, and law clerks

Assist in the development and delivery of community trainings and tools to support clients, caregivers, and other stakeholders (e.g., CASA, social workers, probation officers) in understanding special education and early intervention rights

Work with the education team to identify and creatively problem solve issues related to ableism, racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. as it arises for our clients and within our internal systems and processes

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
Excellent written and oral communication, active listening, and presentation skills

Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with clients, attorneys, medical staff, child welfare professionals, the judiciary, and members of the public

Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to work independently and manage competing tasks in a fast-paced environment

A strong work ethic, dedication, and enthusiasm for taking on responsibility

Demonstrated ability to work as team member with a pleasant and collegial approach.

Commitment to social justice

Experience and comfort building rapport and working effectively with families, children, and young adults

Experience with early education, education, juvenile dependency or delinquency courts is helpful

Familiarity with law, legal procedures and protocols, and court system

Proactive and flexible, with the ability to work in an environment with shifting priorities and demands.