Our Mission: The Federation for Children with Special Needs provides information, support, and assistance to all families, especially those with children with disabilities, their professional partners, and their communities. We are committed to listening to and learning from families, as well as, encouraging full participation in community life by all people, especially those with disabilities.

Job Summary:

Provides ongoing support to active Special Education Surrogate Parents (SESPs are volunteer and consultant advocates for children in custody of the state) identifies training needs, develops, coordinates, and implements trainings for new volunteers including initial orientations, monthly webinars, specific trainings and professional development opportunities for Local Education Agents, foster care families, and ongoing research for the monthly newsletter Consider This….

Essential Job Functions:

• Conduct trainings virtually and in person
• Continual development of all training activities for SESPs.
• Provide ongoing and individual support to SESPs through phone calls, emails, and other means.
• Work with RTSC Director to revise and record trainings and facilitation guides, as needed
• Develop and implement additional trainings for new SESPs.
• Regularly review surveys conducted after orientations, webinars, and trainings to revise training objectives and SESP training needs.
• Meet with RTSC and SESPP staff to discuss results of ongoing monthly research to determine the content of the monthly newsletter (Consider this…).
• Work with RTSC Director to organize and implement professional development trainings and monthly webinars for SESPs across the state.
• Plan and implement one day conference for SESPs to enhance knowledge of IEP process, disabilities, behavior and emotional issues, Trauma, and learning, navigating the system, and other topics specific to SESPs and the professionals that serve them.
• Procure CEUs for professional development and RTSC conferences
• Develop and oversee all support activities for SESPs.
• Work with RTSC Director and outside agency to assess ongoing support needs of SESPs, including foster parents, and the professionals that serve them.
• Other duties and responsibilities as requested by RTSC Director.
• Research relevant information for the publication of a monthly Consider This e-newsletter
• Organize and facilitate monthly webinars, networking and Facebook Live on topics relevant to SESPs and the professionals that serve children and youth in custody of the state

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, special education, counseling, or related fields
• Extensive knowledge of special education law and development of IEP and the Team process.
• Experience in at least one area of our service: special education, social work, health and human services
• Work experience as advocate or member of IEP team
• Experience with the special education surrogate parent program
• Experience in developing curriculum and interactive instruction methodology.
• Experience in adult education, preferably in presenting to parents, professionals and community members about special-education related topics.
• Familiarity with disability and emotional/behavioral/psychiatric issues related to children and youth.
• Experience, preferably clinical, in working with students and families served by DCF.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Computer skills including Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and GoToWebiniar.
• Massachusetts license and preferably access to a vehicle.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekend days

To Apply:

Send your resume and cover letter by email to the Federation at fcsnjobs@fcsn.org; or by mail to: Federation for Children with Special Needs, Attn: HR, 529 Main Street, Suite 1M3, Boston, MA 02129

The Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) embraces the diversity of our staff and is committed to increasing the diversity of our organization. As an EEO employer, FCSN is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and candidates for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected status or designation. Also, we welcome parents of children with special needs or those with a disability to apply!