Lawrence-Based Educational Advocate (English/Spanish) Full or Part-Time

Since 1969, Massachusetts Advocates for Children (MAC) has been dedicated to removing barriers to educational and life opportunities for Massachusetts children and youth. We advocate for better educational opportunities for individual students, while also advocating with school districts and state agencies for laws and policies that will create opportunities for all students.    

Since 2016, MAC has been engaged in an organization-wide Racial Equity Initiative designed to make us better equipped to identify, name and respond to the effects of structural and other forms of racism within our organization and educational systems. We are actively continuing this work with the staff and Board to create an organization that reflects our values.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

The Educational Advocate will work under the supervision of MAC’s bilingual Senior Attorney as part of a long-standing initiative in Lawrence focusing on advocacy and training for and with Lawrence parents of children with disabilities.  

Working with the MAC team, the education advocate will:   

  • Provide project outreach to parents and community partner organizations through email, phone calls, video calls, and in person meetings or events;  

  • With support from other staff, play a leadership role in planning, organizing and facilitating parent and community educational workshops and meetings in Lawrence;  

  • Create, maintain, and organize outreach materials and shared resources used in carrying out project activities;   

  • Provide assistance through MAC’s Helpline and other advocacy support;                   

  • Participate in internal MAC planning meetings; 

  • Perform administrative tasks to support translation related to the Helpline. 

Required Qualifications and Skills: 

  • Good oral and written communication skills in Spanish and in English.  

  • Skillful at understanding and honoring cultural differences.  

  • Well-organized, attention to detail, and good interpersonal skills.  

  • Persistence and ability to respond quickly to families and community partners seeking assistance.  

  • Ability to manage personal schedule and meet work deadlines.  

  • Fluency with basic technology (MS Office, Google Drive) and ability to learn new technology needed to carry out project activities.  

  • Ability to be flexible and to work independently and as a part of a team.   

  • Commitment to racial equity and desire to be part of an organization working to advance racial equity internally and in our programs.  

  • Some understanding of disability inequities, special education rights, and issues faced by parents who have children with disabilities.   

Preferred Qualifications and Skills: 

  • Resident of Lawrence with knowledge of the community and Lawrence Public Schools strongly preferred;  

  • Knowledge or experience regarding provision of special education in Lawrence or other urban areas, including experience as a parent;  

  • Knowledge of or experience with children and youth with behavioral challenges;  

  • Experience with public speaking and/or coordinating groups.  

Compensation/ Position Information:

The position is 15-25 hours per week or full time based on the preferences of the candidate selected as they align with project needs. The range is intentionally broad to encourage applications from a broad pool of applicants who may have family, school and/or other part-time work commitments. This is a salaried position with compensation of $25/hour.   

  • Some evening and weekend hours will be required. The position is primarily remote, however the candidate selected will be expected to come into MAC’s Boston office on a quarterly (4 times per year) basis and as needed for training purposes. If the selected candidate has a full time schedule, time at the Boston office may be slightly more frequent in consultation with the supervisor. 

To Apply: 

  • Send a cover letter and resume to eliu@massadvocates.org with “Lawrence Educational Advocate” in the subject line. Applications missing a cover letter or resume will not be considered.   

  • This is a rolling hiring process.  

    Massachusetts Advocates for Children strives to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment. We celebrate diversity and work to dismantle dominant cultural systems of workplace requirements and restrictive hiring practices. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Bilingual and/or Bicultural candidates, and LGBTQ2SIA+ candidates, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. We prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, marital status, or sexual orientation, in accordance with federal and state law.