NCYL seeks a Director for the Education Civil Rights Alliance (ECRA) to co-lead this national effort to advance education civil rights, equity, and justice across the nation, with a focus on state and district level efforts to make systemic change. J.D., Ph.D., or Ed.D., or equivalent advanced degree in a related field required.
Education Team
NCYL's Education team engages in education justice work in partnership with many entities at the national, state, and local levels, across the nation. The team seeks systemic change – through coalition-building, policy advocacy, litigation, research, communications, and organizing – to increase equity within the education systems that serve children and youth, from early childhood through post-secondary education. A description of NCYL’s education work can be found here: https://youthlaw.org/focus-areas/education.
Position
NCYL seeks a Director for the Education Civil Rights Alliance (ECRA) to co-lead this national effort to advance education civil rights, equity, and justice across the nation, with a focus on state and district level efforts to make systemic change. The candidate should be passionate about helping public schools become nurturing centers for learning that our young people need to thrive, and that protect them against discrimination and the denial of an equitable opportunity to learn.
Essential Functions
- Co-lead the national Education Civil Rights Alliance (ECRA) to advance education civil rights, equity, and justice.
- Design, manage, and facilitate national meetings of the ECRA network, the ECRA subcommittees, and the national ECRA Steering Committee.
- Build strategic relationships and engage with ECRA members from local, state, and national partner organizations toward the achievement of strategic objectives.
- Build new relationships and maintain existing relationships with education equity coalitions and civil rights enforcement agencies.
- Provide leadership and develop advocacy related to federal and state education policy developments, relevant federal and state court decisions, and the findings from research in the field of education.
- Draft, finalize and send frequent communications and updates re: relevant federal and state policy and litigation developments.
- Manage ECRA Amicus Briefs (including assisting in the drafting of briefs, arranging work with pro-bono attorneys, and sign-on gathering).
- Support and conduct advocacy on state and federal policy, including meetings and written communications with policymakers and staff and national multi-organizational federal policy efforts with the Administration and Congress.
- Develop and disseminate research findings on policies and practices relevant to the civil rights of public school students K-16.
- Support ECRA fundraising, including helping to inform strategic decision-making around fundraising, meeting with funders or potential funders, and proposal- and report-writing.
Required Qualifications
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J.D., Ph.D., or Ed.D., or equivalent advanced degree in a related field.
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Minimum of 4 years of experience advocating for systemic public education reform through policy change and/or litigation regarding civil rights and promoting an equitable opportunity to learn.
Qualifications
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Demonstrated leadership in collaborative work addressing civil rights issues and strategies for promoting equitable opportunities.
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Demonstrated passion for protecting public school students, especially students of color, from discriminatory policies and practices.
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Experience establishing and maintaining a network of partnerships and relationships within the education field and focused on systemic reforms.
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Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research relevant to the civil rights of public school students, such as use of the Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC).
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Demonstrated experience translating research findings into talking points briefs and white papers for policymakers and lawyers.
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Demonstrated ability to effectively facilitate large and small group meetings.
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Commitment to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion from a racial justice perspective.
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Leadership skills, including the ability to manage multiple complex projects and to think strategically.
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Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to meet deadlines and produce high-quality work product in a fast-paced environment.
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Clear and persuasive oral and written communication skills.
Physical Requirements
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. This position requires the ability to work remotely and requires some travel.
Salary, Benefits & Location
This is a full-time, exempt position. The salary is competitive at $135,055.00 annually. A geographic salary differential may be applied if the candidate resides somewhere other than the Oakland, CA, Los Angeles, CA, or Washington, DC metro areas.
NCYL provides a robust benefits package including health, dental, vision, and life insurances, generous vacation and sick benefits, paid family leave, flexible spending account, commuter benefits, employer contribution to a retirement plan, paid sabbatical, and short-term and long-term disability insurance.
Candidates must reside in, or be willing to relocate to, Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Virginia, Washington DC, or Wisconsin.
This position is eligible for 100% remote work through December 31, 2023. It is possible that starting in January of 2024, NCYL will require people to work in an office, in which case they will need to be in a location where they can commute to a NCYL office regularly (DC, Los Angeles, Oakland, or Sacramento).
Submit a cover letter and resume at the link below. Please, no emails or calls.
Apply at: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/1770174
Applicants with lived experience within any of our practice areas, and Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, are strongly encouraged to apply.
It is the policy of NCYL to provide equal employment opportunities to all Applicants (including Employees) regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding, national origin, age, abilities/disabilities, neurotypicality, socioeconomic status, veteran status, marital status, prior convictions, or any other protected classifications under federal, state, or local law.