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- Educational Advocate
Educational Advocate
Utica, NY
Posted Sep 11, 2025
- Position Status:
- Full Time
- Hours Per Week:
- 35
- Starting Pay Rate:
- $37,856 ($20.80 an hour)
- Travel Required:
- Yes
- Purpose:
To provide educational advocacy for students with disabilities.
RCIL is a civil rights organization that offers individuals with disabilities a wide range of independent living and advocacy services through the numerous programs we manage.
RCIL is an equal opportunity employer and it is the policy of RCIL not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status.
Job Duties
- To provide educational advocacy for students with disabilities.
- Advocate for students at CSE Meetings.
- Complete initial intake and assessment.
- Obtain releases, documentation, and additional information from students and/or families.
- Provide information and referral services.
- Document case notes and maintain detailed accurate files.
- Assist families with obtaining OPWDD eligibility and, if needed, Medicaid eligibility.
- Encourage and educate students in self-advocacy.
- Network with organizations, and schools to coordinate services.
- Provide light touch case management to individuals who are not eligible for Medicaid and are not approved for care management to assist them with accessing FSS programs within the two counties.
- Assist in planning and coordinating the Annual Life After High School Conference and/or Transition Fairs.
- Establish and maintain community referral knowledge.
- Maintain working knowledge of disability information and issues and all legislative system changes.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Two (2) years of experience or more working with parents of children with disabilities in a public or private school and/or community service/agency setting.
- Special education, IDEA, 504, advocacy preferred.
- Mediation, negotiation, planning, community networking, collaboration, oral and written communication, flexibility, organization, public speaking.
- Computer skills, including Outlook and Microsoft programs.
- Valid Driver License
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in special education preferred.
- High school diploma and years of relevant experience (special education) may be considered in lieu of college education.
Benefits
- PTO – vacation (16-24 days a year based on longevity) Sick leave 12 days a year, and 13 paid holidays.
- Ability to work a 4-day schedule after 6 months on the job. Multiple work schedules available.
- Wellness program with the ability to earn an additional 3 PTO days a year.
- 401K with up to 10% employer investment.
- Heavily subsidized Health Insurance with co-pays.
- Vision and Dental insurance.
- Flexible Spending Accounts-Medical and Dependent Care.
- Monthly contribution towards dependent care. (to offset childcare costs)
- Company paid Life Insurance and Identity theft protection. (LifeLock)
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Family Medical Leave, Paid Family Leave, Military Leave, Bereavement Leave, Jury Duty Leave, Bone Marrow and Blood Donation Leave, Voting Time Leave, Election Leave, and Leaves for Crime Victims and Domestic Violence Victims.
- Employees may be eligible for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program to have student loans forgiven.
- Free covered parking.
- Additional benefits available.