Lead Education Advocate

Location: City of Syracuse

At Indera we envision a world where disability never limits opportunity, and every community is built for everyone.

The Education Advocate assists parents and students with disabilities to understand and navigate the special education system, working with schools and other community providers to ensure provision of equal educational opportunities. The advocate develops and maintains a working knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act, along with state and federal special education laws that affect the rights of students with disabilities.

Advocates are part of a team that provides information and trainings to increase the knowledge and competence of schools, families, and in the community.

Confidentiality:
High-level confidentiality is required for access to all organization records.

Safety Compliance:
Office functions are performed while maintaining a safe work environment.

Job Responsibilities:

Provide direct oversight of the Onondaga and Madison County based Education Advocates by assigning and overseeing their caseloads

Guide program outreach activities and support staff with case review and technical assistance

Work closely with Regional Director on program reporting and growth

Inform parents of their child’s rights and suggest appropriate special education services and programs to meet their needs

Help families prepare for CSE and IEP meetings, including considering goals, reviewing evidence and materials, and help develop strategies

Review special education and section 504 documents, including student files, evaluation assessment reports, IEPs and Section 504 Plans Accompany parents to IEP, Section 504, and other school meetings and provide advice and assistance as needed throughout the process

Work with parents to get their concerns heard by the district and help resolve disputes that may arise

Draft letters and written requests to school and district personnel; draft complaints to school districts and the State Department of Education, if needed

Organize workshops and conduct in-services on students’ rights and special education issues.

Work with schools and school districts on creating system change(s) in educational settings for inclusion of students with disabilities through eliminating physical and program barriers to equal education opportunities in Onondaga County.

Network with other service providers in the community

Provide appropriate referrals, both within the Agency and in the community

Ensure that participants are accommodated in receiving services, and provide alternatives to service delivery as needed (for example, assistance to homebound consumers)
Maintain confidential consumer records, process paperwork timely and provide information for reports as requested

Exercise sound judgment as a matter of course, and hold protected health information and other sensitive information in the strictest of confidence in accordance with EFR and HIPAA policies

Uphold the codes of conduct and ethics as well as all EFR policies and procedures

Other duties as assigned

Required Skills / Capabilities:

Excellent advocacy skills and ability to form collaborative relationships

Clean driver license

Reliable, insured, inspected vehicle

Computer proficiency

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree required, master's degree preferred; or equivalent combination of education and related experience working in the education advocacy field and/or with persons with disabilities

Knowledge of special education law, the ADA and the processes that govern special education proceedings

Physical Requirements Essential for Safe and Effective Job Performance Ability to successfully remain sitting or working at a desk for prolonged periods.

Vision sufficient to maintain a New York State Driver’s License and constant use of a computer.

Speech and hearing sufficient for normal communication.

Ability to successfully work on a computer as a significant responsibility.

Full range of motion to move safely in the office and outside locations which may not have accommodation.

May be required to put away office supplies and transport event materials. Must be able to lift, push, pull, walk, stoop, reach in all directions to move freely and quickly within any area.

Must be able to lift or move items necessary for events and other related activity.

Finger manipulation and hand coordination for constant computer use.

Ability to travel in your own vehicle to all job-related out-of-office functions or meetings as required.

Ability to report on time and remain for overtime as needed.
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