Administrative Assistant - Postsecondary Readiness Project

Advocates For Children (AFC) is a dynamic social justice organization that strives to ensure a high-quality education for New York students who face barriers to academic success, focusing on students from low-income backgrounds. AFC works on behalf of children and youth who are at greatest risk of academic failure due to poverty, race, ethnicity, disability, homelessness, immigration status/limited English proficiency, or involvement in the child welfare or juvenile/criminal legal systems. We use uniquely integrated strategies to advance systemic reform, empower families and communities, and advocate for the educational rights of individual students.

AFC grounds our work in our organization’s values: Family-Centered: We listen to what families want for their children and empower them with information and support. Expertise: W e ground our advocacy in more than 50 years of experience with the NYC public schools and deep knowledge of the legal and education systems affecting the students and families we serve. Passion: We are united by our unrelenting drive to dismantle obstacles to education and our unwavering dedication to NYC’s students and families.

Community: We foster collaboration and inclusive practices within our team and with outside partners so we can learn from different perspectives and unite in advancing our common goals. Justice: We view the law as a powerful tool to bridge gaps in access to education and help families from under-represented communities fight for their rights. Impact: We recognize that our value lies in the difference we make in the lives of students and their families and push ourselves to achieve concrete results.

org . Job Summary AFC seeks a dedicated, full-time Administrative Assistant to support the Postsecondary Readiness Project (PReP) and Project Achieve. PReP works to support and advocate for NYC students and families seeking appropriate services to complete their high school education and transition to postsecondary life.

The Assistant will support PReP’s work (70%) leading a citywide coalition of organizations striving to improve transition services for students with disabilities in NYC public schools and advocating for families. Project Achieve is AFC’s program that has been fighting for the educational rights of students in NYC’s foster system for over 20 years. Project Achieve works to build the capacity of foster care agencies to better address the educational needs of the children and youth in their care.

The Assistant will support Project Achieve’s workshops, monthly Education Collaborative meetings, and community education resources (30%). This position will report to the Director of the Postsecondary Readiness Project.

Responsibilities

Supports coordination of PReP’s citywide Transition Alliance coalition meetings and Education Collaborative meetings, including scheduling, arranging logistics, preparing materials and note-taking. Supports PReP and Project Achieve activities by maintaining directories, managing communications with partners, sharing updates, and tracking progress. Assists in the development and maintenance of a comprehensive directory of transition services, including mapping pathways and resources.

Supports the preparation and distribution of policy initiative materials, advocacy efforts, and correspondence with government agencies. Assists with logistics for collaboration efforts with external partners, community-based organizations, and governmental entities, including arranging meetings, preparing meeting materials, note-taking, and following up on action items. Contributes to the creation and execution of a robust inter-agency referral process by compiling resources, contacts, and services available to students and families.