Coordinator for the Trauma and Learning Policy Initiative

Do you have a passion for helping traumatized children learn? The Trauma and Learning Policy Initiative (TLPI) of Massachusetts Advocates for Children (MAC) and Harvard Law School works to ensure that children traumatized by exposure to adversity succeed in school. As experts on the interplay of trauma and learning, TLPI ’s work is known world-wide and has had significant influence on statewide policy, school culture, and the national agenda. To achieve its goal of sharing its work with schools, advocates, and policy makers, TLPI is seeking to hire a Coordinator with energy, experience, passion, intelligence, and eye to detail. Join a small, dynamic staff who work with an interdisciplinary coalition of educators, advocates, and other professionals to pursue TLPI’s agenda across Massachusetts and beyond. This full-time position provides an exciting opportunity to broaden and deepen the growing movement among educators and advocates who are creating and advocating for trauma-sensitive schools. The ideal candidate will be committed to work on system change by promoting the creation of trauma-sensitive, safe and supportive learning environments that can improve education outcomes for all students. To read more about our work, go to www.traumasensitiveschools.org

Responsibilities:

TLPI seeks a full-time coordinator who will:

• Coordinate TLPI’s campaign to grow the trauma-sensitive schools movement by supporting educators and others who are creating and advocating for trauma-sensitive schools, including outreach and developing and maintaining relationships with educators and schools, community and advocacy organizations and consultants.
• Respond to queries and requests for technical assistance from educators.
• Facilitate on-site and distance training and consultations.
• Organize and energize a coalition to advance policy goals, including developing geographically-based networks of educators and advocates engaged in creating trauma-sensitive schools; facilitating web-based discussion forums for educators to share their ideas and best practices with each other.
• Develop and execute a vision for TLPI’s online presence, including managing its social media presence and serving as primary contact with TLPI’s technical consultants.
• Generate reports that track the spread of TLPI’s work and impact.
• Develop and execute a communications strategy.
• Draft reports and proposals to foundations.
• Assist in advocacy with state legislators, including participating in advocacy campaigns designed to advance laws, policies, and funding streams that enable schools to create trauma-sensitive learning environments.

Qualifications:

Successful applicants will be fast learners with initiative and follow-through; will have excellent organizational and relational skills; and will thrive in a team-driven, collaborative work environment.

• Passion for advocacy to help schools develop trauma-sensitive, safe and supportive learning environments for ALL children, including those exposed to violence
• Effective writing skills which can be tailored to various audiences,
• Ability to communicate substantively and effectively with educators, advocates, legislators, parents, and youth.
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to work in a close-knit team with variety of work styles as well as with professional organizations, law students, media representatives, and legislative staff.
• Computer, website and social media proficiency and aptitude to learn new programs.

Five years related experience in education, social work, policy, or related fields preferred. Bachelors degree required; Masters degree preferred. Experience and/or commitment to the educational needs of children at risk strongly encouraged to apply.

MAC is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity.

Excellent benefits package and salary commensurate with experience.

To apply: Send a resume and cover letter indicating your interest to:

Tania J. Duarte

tduarte@massadvocates.org

Massachusetts Advocates for Children

Trauma and Learning Policy Initiative

25 Kingston St. 2nd floor

Boston, MA 02116