Job Opportunities

Application deadline:  Open until filled

Family Support Specialist – Education and Training

Family Support Specialist provides special education consultation, training, and problem-solving support to parents and professionals.  Responsibilities include developing effective advocacy skills in families of children with disabilities, actively promoting successful outcomes in special education, and supporting partnerships between parents and professionals.   This is a full-time position with benefits package.

Required Qualifications:
• Evidence of knowledge and background in special education law (IDEA and Section 504) and understanding of parental rights.
• High level of sensitivity to the needs of families who have children or youth with disabilities. Personal experience or familiarity with issues faced by families. Knowledge of and adherence to requirements of confidentiality.
• Experienced trainer with knowledge of adult learning techniques. Highly skilled at providing one-to-one consultations in special education. Strong presentation skills and demonstrated ability to present workshops and training for parents and professionals.
• Dispute resolution skills, ability to foster and promote problem-solving strategies with parents and professionals. Develops key relationships with schools, community organizations, and state agency partners
• Effective time management, flexibility in responding to a variety of work tasks and objectives.
• Ability to work effectively with volunteers, staff, and professionals.  
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Proficiency with basic information technology, collecting data, and reporting results.
• Availability for travel and some evening or weekend hours
• Bachelor’s degree in special education or related discipline (equivalent experience of 3 years in family or legal advocacy in special education.)
• Preferred:  Parent of a child with a disability.  Bi-lingual Spanish.  Mediation training and experience.
 
Email to info@raisingspecialkids.org      Att’n: Executive Director
Salary:    DOQ        FAX:  (602) 242-4306

Raising Special Kids values diversity in the workplace. Any qualified candidate is encouraged to apply.

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NICU Families Program Coordinator

Family-to-Family Health Information & Education Center

Position Description:   NICU Families Program Coordinator (part-time)
Reports to:   Project Director

Job Summary:
Primary role is to coordinate program that provides resources and support to families during the first year after their infants’ discharge from hospital Newborn Intensive Care Units (NICU).  Provide general healthcare resources and training for families of children with special health needs.

Key Responsibilities
    NICU Families Program:
• Collaborate with AZ Dept of Health Services staff and Community Health Nurses (CHNs) to develop process to refer NICU families to Raising Special Kids for family support.
• Research, compile and coordinate production of care notebook for CHNs to provide family at initial home visit.
• Work with ADHS and NICU Program Advisory Committee to develop follow-up schedule and related materials.
• Design evaluation tools and compile data to measure and report program effectiveness.
• Work with RSK to recruit and train mentor parents, and establish parent-to-parent matches for NICU families.
• Implement and monitor program.
• Assist in compiling evaluation data and grant reports.
• Participate in other Family-to-Family grant activities as needed.

Required Qualifications:
• Knowledge of and familiarity with the family experience of having a child with disability or special health need -- especially in a NICU setting.
• Knowledge of community and state healthcare resources, programs, and services available to support children and families.
• Respect for and sensitivity to families’ cultural practices and beliefs.
• Excellent written communication and public speaking skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• Effective time management and flexibility in responding to a variety of tasks.
• Computer proficiency (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, database).
• Preferred:  parent of a children or youth with a disability or special health needs.
• Preferred:  personal experience in a hospital NICU setting.
• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience of three years in a family advocacy role.

Work Environment:
• Half-Time position of 20 hours per week; salary range from $10-$14/hour.
• Telecommuting via computer and phone, with periodic meetings with Project Director.
• Participate in two staff meetings/month to report on activities.
• Travel and occasional evening/weekend hours may be required.

To be considered for this position, send cover letter and resume via email to:
 Wendy Benz, Family Health Coordinator at Raising Special Kids
 email:  wendyb@raisingspecialkids.org

Raising Special Kids values diversity in the workplace.  Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

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Youth Transition Game Project Coordinator

Family-to-Family Health Information & Education Center

Position Description:   Youth Transition Game Project Coordinator (part-time)
Reports to:   Project Director

Job Summary:
Primary responsibility is coordinating the development of an interactive video learning tool to provide teens with disabilities and special needs with skills and knowledge to help them make successful transitions to adulthood.  Also provide general healthcare resources and training for youth with special health needs and their families.

Key Responsibilities:
• Manage video learning tool project -- coordinate youth involvement (focus groups and actors) and serve as staff contact for contracted video project developers.
• Recruit teens and young adults for video project and other volunteer leadership positions.
• Develop and implement ways to distribute video game to youth with special needs and others.
• Design evaluation tools and compile data to measure and report video project effectiveness.
• Promote opportunities for youth participation in state-level activities related to transition and health care.
• Assist in compiling evaluation data and grant reports.
• Participate in other Family-to-Family grant activities as needed.

Required Qualifications:
• Knowledge of and familiarity with the experience of individuals with a disability.  Sensitivity to the needs of children and youth with disabilities.
• Knowledge of healthcare, state and local community issues, resources, programs, and services available to support youth and families consistent with principles of self-advocacy.
• Respect for and sensitivity to families’ cultural practices and beliefs.
• Excellent written communication and public speaking skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• Effective time management and flexibility in responding to a variety of tasks.
• Proficient computer skills (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, database).
• Preferred:  Youth with a disability; experience in a self-advocacy role.

Work Environment:
• Part-Time position of 8-10 hours per week at $10-$12/hour.
• Telecommuting via computer and phone, with periodic meetings with Project Director.
• Participate in two staff meetings/month via telephone to report on activities.
• Occasional travel, evening/weekend hours may be required.

To be considered for this position, send cover letter and resume via email to:
 Wendy Benz, Family Health Coordinator
 Raising Special Kids
 email:  wendyb@raisingspecialkids.org
 
Raising Special Kids values diversity in the workplace.  Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.