Employment

Current Open Positions at SPAN

Executive Director

The SPAN Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN) is seeking an Executive Director to function as the organization’s Chief
Executive Officer. The Executive Director is responsible for managing all aspects of SPAN’s organization: planning,
implementation, and evaluation of projects, programs, policy, fiscal, personnel, and administration. The Executive
Director reports directly to SPAN’s Board of Directors and is responsible for implementing policies and the strategic
plan set by the Board of Directors. Find the complete details of this position

Part-time Bi-lingual Parent Group Specialist – START – Northern NJ | Counties of Bergen, Essex (Charters), and Sussex

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.

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

New Jersey Inclusive Child Care Project (NJICCP)

Title: Part-Time Early Childhood Inclusion Coordinator

Positions available: 2

SPAN Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN) is seeking two qualified professionals to fill two part-time vacancies (North and South 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 positions collaborate with State Partners in providing program quality improvement enhancements to existing childcare providers, especially programs in Grow NJ Kids.

Responsibilities

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 able to 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:

Hosting monthly discussion forums and providing telephone assistance to support families and professionals seeking information on inclusive childcare and family engagement practices.
Developing and implementing a work plan for weekly, monthly, and quarterly goals.
Assessing and identifying a program’s level of need for inclusive support.
Maintaining NJICCP’s literature and website with relevant and updated information.
Creating and distributing announcements for training opportunities to programs and parents.
Creating monthly work calendars and reports.
Collaborating and participating in Team meetings.
Representing SPAN and the NJICCP at stakeholder and State-Level meetings.
Presenting at and attending professional meetings relating to project goals and SPAN’s mission.
Collecting and analyzing evaluation information; preparing reports as needed in collaboration with the supervisor.
Maintaining records and information that support the project under the direction of the supervisor.
Other responsibilities as needed.

Qualifications

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
2 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.)

How to Apply

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

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

Administrative Assistant

SPAN Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN), an independent, parent-led 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, seeks a qualified individual with a strong commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and cultural and linguistic competence. The Administrative Assistant performs a variety of administrative and clerical tasks to provide support to our managers and employees, assisting in daily office needs and managing our company’s general administrative activities.

Responsibilities

Disseminate and occasionally produce information for internal and external organizational use;
Maintain and update: distribution files, databases, other information systems for technical assistance, public education, and other purposes as needed;
Handle arrangements for in-state and out-of-state travel
Handle logistics for organization-sponsored meetings and conferences, including:
- - Set up and coordinate virtual meeting platforms
  - Taking and maintaining notes at virtual and in-person meetings
  - Arranging logistics for events (setting up locations, refreshments, etc.)
  - Assisting with email, fax, telephone, and mail outreach for events
  - Developing/maintaining attendee lists in hard copy and on database
  - Creating name badges
  - Produce conference or other needed packets for events
  - Disseminate relevant information in a timely manner
  - Track payments and send bills/invoices
  - Review and summarize evaluations and report in the database and to appropriate staff;
  - Organize and implement mailings, events, and other activities;
  - Monitor upcoming conferences, meetings, training, and events; create, maintain, update, and disseminate information on upcoming events to staff;
  - Provide general clerical support for organizational activities.
  - Maintain records and information that support contract compliance.
  - Copy and disseminate information for staff mailings at least monthly;
  - Monitor and respond to basic requests for information about SPAN from website, telephone, mail correspondence, including copying and disseminating materials to the public as needed;
  - Collect, tabulate, and report on data regarding technical assistance, trainings, contacts/activities as required;
  - File reports, correspondence, library materials, and other information as needed;
  - Other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Candidates for this position must possess a combination of education, training, and experience that provides the following knowledge and skills:

Outstanding planning, communication & organizational skills;
Facility with written and verbal communication, strong Spanish skills a plus;
Strong customer service skills are necessary;
Experience with computers and knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, a database software program, social media platforms, video conferencing software, and the internet is essential;
Outstanding ability to work well with a wide spectrum of people;
Ability to work well independently as well as with a team;
Capacity to exercise independent judgment and sound decision-making;
Demonstrated commitment to the goals of the project and organization.

How to Apply

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

A letter of interest describing qualifications and accomplishments.
A current résumé.