Helpline Advocate
“We do not merely have a social responsibility to assure that our children and youth have decent life chances and prosper. We have a sacred obligation to do so.” Founder Hubie Jones
About Us
Massachusetts Advocates for Children (MAC) is a non-profit organization committed to ensuring that every child, especially the most vulnerable, has equal access to educational opportunities and the support they need to succeed. Through systemic advocacy and direct support, we empower families to navigate the complexities of educational and social services. We work tirelessly to create a more just and inclusive environment for all children.
At MAC, our work is driven by a community-informed, ground-up advocacy model. We provide free legal representation to children with the greatest needs, focusing on those marginalized by the education system due to race, disability, language, immigration status, or poverty. Our multilingual helpline supports thousands of parents and caregivers each year, offering guidance, resources, and referrals to help them overcome educational barriers. We also engage in impact litigation and legislative advocacy, working to change policies and laws, secure funding, and improve oversight. Our issue-focused coalitions raise awareness and build strategic roadmaps for change, while our training and community engagement work empower parents to advocate for their children and become leaders in the movement for educational equity. Additionally, we partner with pro bono attorneys to extend our reach and impact.
Since 2016, MAC has been deeply committed to advancing racial equity within our organization and the educational systems we seek to reform. Our ongoing Racial Equity Initiative equips us to better identify, address, and respond to structural racism, ensuring that our work and organization reflect the values of justice and inclusivity.
Our recent achievements highlight the impact of our advocacy. We are honored to have received a $2 million gift from MacKenzie Scott through the Yield Giving Open Call and to be recognized by the Boston Bar Association with the 2023 John G. Brooks Legal Services Award. We continue to challenge discriminatory policies, such as those affecting immigrant students, and celebrate significant victories like the enactment of the first Inclusive Higher Education law in the country, a milestone achieved after a decade of persistent advocacy with fellow advocates. To learn more about our mission and work, please visit MAC’s website or view a video about who we are.
The Opportunity
MAC seeks a committed, mission driven, and detail-oriented individual to work with our Helpline Team as Helpline Advocate. MAC’s multilingual Helpline is the entry point to MAC for families and caregivers who are looking for resources, information, and referrals to better advocate for their children.
The Helpline Advocate will be joining a team of exceptional public interest attorneys and advocates working to directly impact the lives of families seeking equal educational opportunities for their children. The Helpline Advocate will respond to calls to MAC’s Helpline and provide the callers with guidance and information on topics including special education, school discipline, and language access. While most of the work will be responding calls, the Helpline Advocate will also provide direct assistance to families reviewing documents and helping families further their advocacy efforts. The Helpline Advocate will be an active participant in developing and following up with initiatives to improve Helpline efficiency, client support and engagement of a culturally and racially diverse community. We envisioned this as an area of growth for the advocate, with the opportunity to lead such initiatives in the future.
Training and mentorship will be provided on an ongoing basis to develop necessary skills and knowledge of education law for the position.
MAC has an impassioned, committed staff with a flexible family-friendly culture that values and promotes creativity. The position offers flexibility to work hybrid with the days in person, and the days remote agreed to with the supervisor.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Respond to parents and service providers contacting MAC’s Helpline:
Respond to racially, culturally and linguistically diverse callers contacting MAC’s Helpline, providing callers with resources, referrals, and other advocacy-related information.
Document demographic information and all communications with callers in MAC’s Helpline database.
Provide ongoing direct advocacy assistance to families:
Request and review student documents, draft advocacy letters, attend Team meetings, and provide other direct assistance to families.
Continuous improvement of Helpline:
Support and eventually lead initiatives to improve Helpline efficiency, client support and engagement of a culturally and racially diverse population.
Contribute to MAC’s internal racial equity initiatives in partnership with all staff.
Desired Qualifications and Skills:
We appreciate and value that a wide variety of life and work experiences could prepare someone for this role. We also recognize that people from historically marginalized communities may not apply for positions if they do not have every qualification. If you believe you would be a good fit, please apply!
Good active listening skills.
Strong written, analytical, oral, organizational, and time management skills.
Basic understanding of disability and special education rights issues, including inequitable access for certain groups due to systemic racism, language barriers and other factors.
Ability to manage personal schedule and meet work deadlines.
Ability to be flexible and to work independently and as a part of a team.
Ability to work both in person and remotely.
Experience and interest in working with racially, culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Ability to work effectively with a diverse team and foster a positive work environment.
Commitment to racial equity and a desire to grow and learn with an organization working to advance racial equity internally and in our external facing programs.
Basic comfort level with technology, including familiarity with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel and Outlook and Teams), and Zoom as well as a willingness to learn new applications and systems.
Fluency in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese or Mandarin in addition to English is preferred.
Location, Compensation and Benefits
This is a full-time, exempt hybrid position requiring at least 2 days a week in our Boston office near South Station. The salary range is between $45,500 to $50,000. The range has been established after a comprehensive analysis of market data, industry benchmarks, and our internal salary structures which have been adopted as part of our race equity commitment.
MAC offers a comprehensive benefits package alongside the base salary. A standout feature is the pilot 4-day work week program, providing 100% pay for a Friday-off schedule to enhance work-life balance. The package includes health insurance with an 85% employer contribution, employer-paid life and short-term disability insurance, and a 401(k)-retirement plan. Employees receive generous paid time off, including vacation starting at 2 weeks per year, 15 sick days, 11 holidays plus 2 floating holidays, an office closure from December 26 to January 1, and 2 personal days annually. Additionally, employees are eligible for a sabbatical after 7 years of service.
To Apply:
Send a cover letter and resume to eliu@massadvocates.org with “Helpline Advocate” in the subject line by January 31st, 2025
MAC strives to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment. We celebrate diversity and work to dismantle dominant cultural systems of workplace requirements and restrictive hiring practices. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Bilingual and/or Bicultural candidates, and LGBTQ2SIA+ candidates, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. We prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, marital status, age, or sexual orientation, in accordance with federal and state law