National Center for Youth Law 

The National Center for Youth Law (NCYL) works to amplify youth power, dismantle racism and other structural inequities, and build just policies, practices, and culture in support of young people. Our efforts advance justice through research, community collaboration, impact litigation, and policy advocacy that fundamentally transforms our nation's approach to education, health, immigration, foster care, and youth justice. Our vision is a world in which every young person thrives and has a full and fair opportunity to achieve the future they envision for themselves.  

Team Description  

Compassionate Education Systems is an initiative aimed at improving the educational experiences of children and youth in foster care within the Antelope Valley region of Los Angeles County. This initiative operates at systems, youth, and community levels to ensure students in foster care experience compassion by the adults entrusted to support them and are supported on their path to graduate from high school with many opportunities ahead of them.  

Position 

NCYL seeks a Senior Education Liaison II for the Compassionate Systems initiative demonstration site in Antelope Valley, a collaboration with the County Office of Education, Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), and the Antelope Valley Union High School District. This position is aimed at improving education outcomes for high school students supervised by DCFS and the Dependency Court. This is a great opportunity for someone passionate about educational equity for youth in care, ensuring that students have the supports and structures needed to graduate and transition to post-secondary and career options.  

Essential Functions 

• Supervise Education Liaisons who will work directly with youth to ensure a collaborative culture 
• Work with school district staff to ensure appropriate data is available for programmatic purposes and is collected for evaluation purposes 
• Support cross-team development and learning 
• Train and support stakeholders interfacing with youth in foster care and their education 
• Improve educational outcomes for high school students in foster care by working directly with youth to identify their educational goals, utilizing effective education planning, advocacy and addressing barrier to full educational engagement to ensure high school graduation and a successful transition to post-secondary or employment opportunities 
• Participate in school site and district meetings to advance awareness of challenges, and educational supports needed by students in foster care  
• Identify school based and external community-based resources to address student needs and support for students and make appropriate referrals  
• Track required data in a web-based case management tool in a consistent and timely manner  
• Support demonstration site reporting and evaluation efforts, including drafting funder or program reports, and highlight program progress  

Required Qualifications  

• Ability to pass DOJ & FBI background checks  
• A valid California driver’s license and regular access to a reliable vehicle  
• According to new County contract policy, must be vaccinated against COVID-19  

Other Qualifications  

• Committed to NCYL’s mission  
• Demonstrated ability to utilize a racial justice lens 
• Knowledge about and ability to advocate in education and or child welfare 
• Knowledge of the Antelope Valley and community-based resources  
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and coordinate services with community agencies in a professional manner 
• Ability to work well autonomously and as a part of a team 
• Demonstrated ability to build rapport with youth and families 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills 
• Ability to stay organized with multiple work streams and frequent change 
• Excellent creative problem-solving skills 
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practice 
• Ability to navigate cloud servers, Zoom, phone systems and other software.  

Physical Requirements    

Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Requires ability to travel, to work from shared working spaces in schools. 

Salary and Benefits 
This is a full-time, non-exempt position. The salary is competitive at $84,645.00.  

NCYL provides a robust benefits package including health, dental, vision, life, generous vacation and sick benefits, flexible spending account, commuter benefits, employer contribution to a retirement plan, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and medical travel expenses for those seeking gender-affirming care or abortions. 

 Candidates must reside in or near Antelope Valley, California. This position requires weekly travel to multiple sites in Antelope Valley.  

 How to Apply  

Please submit a cover letter and resume at the link provided. Please, no emails or calls.

Applicants with lived experience in the child welfare or foster care systems, and Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, are strongly encouraged to apply.  

It is the policy of NCYL to provide equal employment opportunities to all Applicants (including Employees) regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding, national origin, age, abilities/disabilities, neurotypicality, socioeconomic status, veteran status, marital status, prior convictions, or any other protected classifications under federal, state, or local law.