Staff Attorney, Court-Involved Youth - School Justice Project

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.  

AFC grounds our work in our organization’s values:  

• Family-Centered: We listen to what families want for their children and empower them with information and support.  

• Expertise: We ground our advocacy in more than 50 years of experience with the NYC public schools and deep knowledge of the legal and education systems affecting the students and families we serve. 

• Passion: We are united by our unrelenting drive to dismantle obstacles to education and our unwavering dedication to NYC’s students and families. 

• Community: We foster collaboration and inclusive practices within our team and with outside partners so we can learn from different perspectives and unite in advancing our common goals. 

• Justice: We view the law as a powerful tool to bridge gaps in access to education and help families from under-represented communities fight for their rights. 

• Impact: We recognize that our value lies in the difference we make in the lives of students and their families and push ourselves to achieve concrete results.  

For more information on AFC, see www.advocatesforchildren.org.

Job Summary

Advocates for Children of New York, Inc. (AFC) seeks a dedicated attorney to join the School Justice Project to provide direct representation, outreach, community education, and policy advocacy, to ensure that youth involved in the juvenile and/or criminal legal system have meaningful access to appropriate educational services during an unparalleled time of difficulty for them and their families. Given the evolving implementation of policies and programs for court-involved youth, the need for education advocacy by an attorney versed in the juvenile and/or criminal legal system is critical.  This position will report to the Director of the School Justice Project.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Direct Representation

• Represent youth involved in, or at risk of involvement in, the juvenile or criminal legal system and facing school-related challenges, including suspensions, school policing, pushout, lack of supports, inappropriate placements, or unmet special education needs.
• Advise families on their education rights in both community schools and correctional facilities.
• Facilitate referrals for evaluations and participate in school meetings.
• Advocate with schools, DOE administrators, ACS, DOC, and judges in Family, Criminal, and Supreme Courts.
• Collaborate with defense attorneys, alternatives-to-incarceration providers, and other professionals.
• Identify appropriate school placements and services.
• Represent families at IEP meetings, suspension hearings, Manifestation Determination Reviews, and special education hearings and appeals.

Outreach and Training

• Conduct outreach to professionals working with court-involved youth (e.g., alternatives-to-incarceration and detention providers, Close to Home providers, and court staff).
• Develop materials and provide trainings, resources, and technical assistance to build capacity around education-related advocacy.
• Create and deliver know-your-rights trainings and materials for students and families.

Policy Advocacy

• Use insights from direct representation and trainings to drive systemic reform.
• Draft letters, reports, and public comments on education issues affecting court-involved youth.
• Participate in city and state policy meetings and testify before the City Council.
• Collaborate with partner organizations to advance systemwide improvements in educational and vocational outcomes for court-involved youth.

Qualifications

• Understanding of and alignment with AFC’s mission. Please review AFC’s work at advocatesforchildren.org. 
• Law degree required, with admission to the NYS bar preferred.
• One to five years of relevant experience preferred, and experience and/or knowledge of the juvenile and/or criminal legal system required.
• Desire to learn, both as an individual and as part of an organization, and apply diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism principles.
• Demonstrated commitment to serving the public interest.
• Experience with and/or knowledge of low-income and disability communities, education, civil rights.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to effectively engage across cultures, identities, and ethnicities.
• Strong presentation skills and comfort with public speaking.
• Ability to engage and build relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including parents, community partners, and school staff.
• Ability to lead the management of projects, including tracking, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines.
• Organized, detail oriented, flexible, and able to work independently on tasks and deliverables.
• Spanish fluency preferred, but not required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs: Word, Outlook, SharePoint.

How to Apply

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 Staff Attorney – Court Involved Youth position, including any personal or professional experience that demonstrates your connection to the populations that 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. No phone calls please.

Compensation

This is a full-time position, with a salary in the range of $86,278 - $95,794, 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 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 offers a 403(b) plan with a fully vested employer match and coverage of the premium cost of life insurance and short-term and long-term disability insurance.

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AFC is an equal opportunity employer that actively seeks to recruit and retain a diverse staff and 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. For more information and to request an accommodation, contact Human Resources at HR@advocatesforchildren.org.