Current Open Positions at SPAN

Project: New Jersey Inclusive Child Care Project (NJICCP)

Title: Part-Time Early Childhood Inclusion Coordinator

Originally posted November 4, 2022

SPAN Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN) is seeking one qualified professional to fill one part-time vacancy (Northern New Jersey) with the New Jersey Inclusive Child Care Project (NJICCP) as an Early Childhood Inclusion Coordinator (ECIC). This critical position will coordinate efforts to support early care and education programs and professionals to provide inclusive childcare and promote family engagement. The position collaborates with State Partners in providing program quality improvement enhancements to existing childcare providers, especially programs in Grow NJ Kids.

The ECIC provides direct inclusion support services to center-based and family childcare providers. The ECIC assists parents and early care professionals in understanding and acquiring services that support the inclusion of children and promote family engagement. The ECIC identifies the level of need for inclusive training, technical assistance, and onsite services to childcare programs parents and professionals. The ECIC is a knowledgeable professional on the laws that support inclusion, quality improvement initiatives within the State of NJ and provide information to parents and professionals to support family engagement. The ECIC participates as an active member representing the Agency in internal and external meetings and assists in setting strategic goals for the Project. Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Collaborate with the childcare provider community and special needs services to improve the delivery of services to children with special needs

• Provide direct inclusion support services to center-based and family childcare providers

• Assist parents and early care professionals in understanding and acquiring services that support the inclusion of children and promote family engagement

• Maintain knowledge on the laws that support inclusion, quality improvement initiatives within the State of NJ and provide information to parents and professionals to support family engagement.

• Identify the level of need for inclusive training, technical assistance, and onsite services to childcare programs parents and professionals

• Host monthly discussion forums and provide telephone assistance to support families and professionals seeking information on inclusive childcare and family engagement practices.

• Other responsibilities as needed.

The successful candidate is someone who responds positively in stressful environments, can multitask, prioritize assignments, and has knowledge of evidence and research-based practices that support inclusion and family engagement. The ideal candidate possesses knowledge of NJ Quality Improvement Initiatives such as Grow NJ Kids, Help Me Grow, New Jersey’s child care services infrastructure.

• Bilingual is preferred but not required.

• Two or more years of experience supporting early childhood programs.

• Knowledge of early intervention, special education, and ADA.

• Experience presenting information to large and small groups and providing resources to parents.

• Ability to work independently to meet monthly goals

• Maintain timely documentation and data entry.

• Familiar with Early Childhood Education principles, programs, and resources.

• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.

• Excellent listening skills with the ability to give and receive critical feedback.

• Proven ability to work in a team environment.

• Knowledge of computer software, especially Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

• Ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and occasional Saturday rotation with reliable transportation. (SPAN employees are working remotely temporarily.)

For immediate consideration, please forward the following documents to hr@spanadvocacy.org.

1. 1. A letter of interest describing qualifications and accomplishments.
   2. A current résumé.
   3. A list of three professional references: Name, Organization, and Contact Information.

Project: Citizen Action Education Fund/ACA Outreach and Education Grant

Title: Part-time ACA Ambassador

Openings: 1

Rate: $20/hr, 10 hours/wk

Originally posted October 26, 2022

SPAN seeks three part-time ACA/Ambassadors to work with NJCAEF and partners to conduct education and outreach to low-income communities to encourage enrollment in ACA/Medicaid plans offered by the NJ State Exchange with a specific focus on Essex, Passaic, and Union counties.

• Tabling and other activities at events and other places to connect with community members

• Distribute flyers/leafletting at public community storefronts, agencies, etc. such as libraries, town halls, schools, community centers, coffee shops, bodegas

• Conduct in-person 1-1 outreach/education in conjunction with ACA Ambassadors who will conduct outreach within their community/network to engage new partners and members of the public

• Outreach/education to partner networks

• posting to their social media accounts and networks all special promotions/events (countdown to Open Enrollment, End of PHE, Cover all Kids, End of OE countdown, theme weeks/days, special events such as webinars/Tele-town halls, etc.).

• Participate in program trainings, including Ambassador Train the Trainer

• Conduct trainings and facilitate educational webinars.

• Disseminate resources.

• Conduct training and provide individual assistance regarding paid leave options to families, especially those speaking languages other than English, from immigrant communities, low-income families, families with limited literacy, etc. across all of our initiatives.

• Educate and share resources with FRS.

• Facilitate and conduct outreach to educate community leaders and organizations and disseminate promotional Open and Special Enrollment printed and digital materials throughout SPAN’s statewide network with specific focuses on Essex, Passaic, and Union counties.

• Conduct informational webinars for families and caregivers.

• Work with FRSs to make referrals for enrollment to NJCAEF sharing contact information for uninsured individuals who can be contacted by NJCAEF’s enrollment assisters.

• Maintain records and information that support the project under the direction of the supervisor.

• Other responsibilities as needed.

The successful candidate must have a working knowledge of the ACA options. Preference is given to candidates who have completed the SPAN Resource Parent Training. Bilingual is required for at least one of the openings.

• Demonstrated commitment to the goals of the project and organization

• Excellent planning, organizational, leadership, and interpersonal skills are required

• Experience with outreach to, and working with diverse stakeholders including racial, ethnic, language, immigrant status, LGBTQ+, age, and geographic communities.

• Outstanding ability to work well with a wide spectrum of people.

• Strong written and verbal communication, strong Spanish or other second language skills a plus;

• Proficiency in working with MS Office Suite, Google Suite, Smartsheet, Eventbrite, social media, video conferencing platforms, and mobile apps.

• Knowledge of local community and resources;

• Strong demonstrated commitment to equity and social and racial justice;

• Lived experience with one or more relevant systems;

• Ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and occasional Saturday rotation with reliable transportation.

For immediate consideration, please forward the following documents to hr@spanadvocacy.org.

1. 1. A letter of interest describing qualifications and accomplishments.
   2. A current résumé.
   3. A list of three professional references: Name, Organization, and Contact Information.

Project: Leaders Empowered as Advocates with Dignity (LEAD Project)
Title:  Part-time Community Health Worker (15 hrs/wk)
Location:  Southern Region (Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Cumberland, or Ocean counties)

Project: Parents as Champions for Healthy Schools (PAC)
Title:  Part-time PAC Regional Coordinator (10 hrs/wk)

Originally posted March 25, 2022
The SPAN Parent Advocacy Network is seeking a qualified individual to serve as the Regional Coordinator for the Parents as Champions for Healthy Schools (PAC) Project. The candidate must demonstrate a commitment to the importance and significance of engaging empowered and educated parents/caregivers as partners with school staff to promote, implement and sustain improvements to school health in New Jersey’s public schools.
The PAC Project is part of the New Jersey Department of Health’s School Health NJ Project, a collaboration among the Department, SPAN, and three regional grantee agencies. Together, they seek to improve the health (physical, mental, emotional, social) and well-being of students and school staff as well as the health and safety of the school environment, through work with schools, youth, and family engagement.

Project:  START-Engaging Parent of Students with Disabilities (START-EPSD)
Title:  Part-time Bi-lingual Parent Group Specialist, Northern NJ | Counties of Bergen, Essex (Charters), and Sussex
Originally posted March 4, 2022
START-EPSD Project is currently looking for a self-motivated and self-directed individual who has a strong commitment to the importance and significance of the involvement of empowered and educated parents/caregivers in improving academic & health outcomes for children in New Jersey through the development of parent groups and participation in strong family/school partnerships. Key functions include:
Building collaborative relationships to promote family-school partnerships.
Establishing special education parent advisory groups and other parent groups.
Maintaining the membership and effectiveness of existing groups at various stages of development.

Responsibilities

• Training and Technical Assistance
• Provide training and workshops on initiating and developing effective special education parent advisory groups, parent involvement in the IEP process, and additional topics as needed.
• Increase parental awareness regarding their role in improving special education systems within their district and at the state level through parent-professional collaboration.
• Inform parents about their rights to be involved in educational planning for their children.

Network Building

• Identify and collaborate with parent and education leaders, SEPAGs, parent and community groups, networks, and/or formal organizations (FSC, CCYCs, FSO, RFSPC, PTAs/PTOs/HSAs, etc.) currently serving, supporting, or interested in supporting families with children with special education needs.
• Provide outreach to identified groups/networks/organizations to determine what resources or information may be needed to sustain their development.
• Coordinate opportunities for parents, parent group leaders, and professionals to network, share resources, engage in mutual problem-solving to increase parent leadership capacity, and help build family/school partnerships.
• Network with families, educators, and service providers, as well as attend conferences and training in their counties, regions, and throughout the state regarding family-centered principles and practices.

Administrative

• Maintain and update current knowledge related to project components, including parent groups, literacy development, the inclusion of students with disabilities, and NJTSS.
• Maintain a database of the district- and community-based groups to connect parents with the group(s) in their communities.
• Collect and maintain all required data for reporting and program implementation.
• Contribute content related to activities and relevant topics to the Project’s and organization’s publications, presentations, social media, and website.
• Attend necessary and mandatory professional development activities.

Qualifications
The successful candidate must be a resident of a county in the region they work, must have experience working with their local district SEPAGs, and be aware of other parent and community organizations in this region. In addition, through experience, as well as training, the candidate will demonstrate the following knowledge, abilities, and skills:

• Bi-lingual English/Spanish required.
• Experience as the parent/caregiver or advocate of a child with disabilities.
• Demonstrated commitment to the goals of the project and organization.
• Experience in providing training to adult learners is a plus.
• Excellent outreach, family engagement and empowerment, and ability to partner with NJDOE-OSE partners, district personnel, and other professionals.
• Knowledge of state, regional, and local community resources.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment and sound decision-making.
• Outstanding ability to work well with a wide spectrum of people.
• Excellent planning, organizational, leadership, and interpersonal skills are required.
• Proficiency working with MS Office Suite, Google Suite, Smartsheet, Eventbrite, social media, video conferencing platforms, and mobile apps.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends with reliable transportation. (SPAN employees are working remotely temporarily.)

How to Apply

For immediate consideration, please forward the following documents to hr@spanadvocacy.org.

1. 1.  A letter of interest describing qualifications and accomplishments.
   2. A current résumé.
   3. A list of three professional references: Name, Organization, and Contact Information.