Education Advocate, Immigrant Students' Rights 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

AFC seeks an Education Advocate in our Immigrant Students' Rights Project (ISRP). ISRP works to protect the education-related rights of underserved immigrant families. Immigrant families face unique obstacles in NYC public schools related to their linguistic and cultural backgrounds. We are looking for an advocate to join our team to serve immigrant families of children with disabilities and English Language Learners (ELLs). The Education Advocate will report directly to ISRP's Project Director.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assisting families with school related issues such as special education, school enrollment, bilingual programs, and bullying.

• Conducting intakes of new clients.

• Participating in school meetings and school visits.

• Providing know-your-rights trainings to families across New York City and staffing tables at information fairs.

• Locating and connecting families with resources in their communities.

• Drafting and updating informational materials for immigrant parents.

• Supporting ISRP policy advocacy efforts as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Understanding of and alignment with AFC’s mission. Please review AFC’s work at www.advocatesforchildren.org.

• Desire to learn, both as an individual and as part of an organization, and apply diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism principles.

• A bachelor's degree.

• Fluency in Spanish.

• Organized, detail oriented, and able to work independently on tasks and deliverables. 

• Experience working with families is preferred. 

• Strong presentation skills and comfort with public speaking. 

• Strong writing ability and analytical skills. 

• Ability to explain complex concepts in a manner that is easy to understand. 

• Ability to multi-task and respond to changing needs. 

• Available to work occasional evenings and weekends and to travel within the five boroughs. 

• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs: Word, Outlook, SharePoint.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

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 Education Advocate position, including any personal or profession al experience that demonstrates your connection to the populations that AFC serves.

The position is available starting in August 2026, and resumes will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Due to the high volume of applicants, only qualified candidates will be contacted.

COMPENSATION

This is a full-time position, with a salary in the range of $63,702 - $69,323, 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.

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.