Education Advocacy Program, Director

The Director, Education Advocacy Program, is responsible for leading Children’s Law Center of Central North Carolina’s (CLC) work focusing on the rights of students with disabilities, including students with mental or physical health needs that affect school performance, and students facing suspensions, expulsions, and alternative school placements.

CLC is at a pivotal moment of growth, expanding its reach and deepening its impact. The organization’s recently-adopted strategic plan builds on its history of legal advocacy by advancing a three-pronged approach – community education, direct intervention, and systems-level advocacy – to better support children facing legal and educational barriers.

A core part of this vision is the Education Advocacy Program, which ensures that students with disabilities, mental or physical health needs, and those facing school discipline challenges receive the support they need to thrive. The Director of the Education Advocacy Program will play a lead role in implementing this expanded vision, strengthening program delivery, increasing visibility, and positioning the initiative as a statewide model. This leadership role offers a unique opportunity to shape advocacy efforts, empower families, and drive systemic change in educational equity across North Carolina.

The core responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Providing educational advocacy and legal representation to children and parents/guardians in matters related to special education, Section 504 Plans, exclusionary school discipline, bullying, and disability discrimination
• Engaging with community partners and accessing services and resources as necessary for EAP clients
• Planning, organizing and presenting workshops across the community for both parents/guardians addressing the rights of students and families in public education as well as community partner organizations to help them understand the educational rights of the children they serve
• Conducting legal research and analysis of relevant federal and state statutes, rulings and regulations
• Managing an individual caseload including client communications, attending meetings and hearings, preparing and maintaining appropriate and accurate documentation and/or petitions/pleadings
• Collaborating with CLC Executive Director and board members to execute strategic priorities
• Supervising, supporting, mentoring and training staff, including a full-time legal assistant, volunteers and interns
• Representing CLC at community collaboratives, meetings, events and conferences

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school
• North Carolina law license, or willingness to become licensed in North Carolina
• Prior experience in child advocacy and education law
• Desired Skills:
  1. Child Advocacy
  2. Educational Advocacy
  3. Special Education Law
  4. Presentations
  5. Supervising
  6. Strategic Planning
  7. Legal Research
  8. Workshop Development
  9. Legal Representation
  10. Collaborative Leadership
  11. Excellent written and oral communication

Applicants should submit a current resume, cover letter, writing sample, and three references.