Disabilities Advocate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Join the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony as a Full-Time Head Start Disabilities Advocate and make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families. This onsite position offers a unique opportunity to work directly with the community, fostering inclusivity and support for children with disabilities. The role allows you to be a problem solver, applying your skills to develop and implement effective strategies tailored to individual needs—fueling your passion for advocacy within a traditional yet customer-focused culture. With a competitive pay range of $23.91 to $29.40 per hour, you will not only be rewarded financially but also experience personal growth in an enriching environment that values integrity and safety. As a team member you'll be able to enjoy benefits such as Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Life Insurance, and Paid Time Off. Embrace the chance to be part of a dedicated team committed to positive change in Reno.

Your journey toward making a difference starts here!

The Reno-Sparks Indian Colony represents descendants of three Great Basin Indigenous peoples: the **Numu (Northern Paiute)**, **Newe (Western Shoshone)**, and **Washeshu (Washoe)**. These communities lived in harmony with the land for generations before European contact, following seasonal cycles and forming small, efficient social groups for survival. Each group’s name means **“The People”** in their own language, reflecting their deep cultural identity and connection to the Earth. They maintained strong traditions, respected neighboring tribes, and engaged in trade throughout the region. Today, the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony continues to honor these traditions while supporting the well-being, culture, and future of its tribal community.

As a Full-Time Head Start Disabilities Advocate, you will work under the direct supervision of the Head Start Manager to lead the development and administration of our disability program, ensuring compliance with Head Start Performance Standards. Your role will involve coordinating and providing essential disabilities and behavioral services, assisting families of children with disabilities in navigating their Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and referrals, as well as offering disability counseling and tailored service plans. You will play a crucial part in enhancing the educational experiences of students with identified behavioral needs at the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony. Additionally, your responsibilities will include supporting classrooms in implementing positive behavioral support, promoting behavioral health, and contributing to wellness initiatives within the Head Start program, all in alignment with the guidance from the Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Intervention for Young Children (TACSEI).

To thrive in the role of Full-Time Head Start Disabilities Advocate, candidates must possess a rich blend of skills and experiences tailored for working with children with special needs. A Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education or a related field, alongside two years of hands-on experience, is essential. Strong knowledge of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and special education practices will empower you to advocate effectively for both children and their families. Proficiency in software tools for tracking progress and documentation is crucial for maintaining accurate records and providing timely reports. Excellent communication skills are vital for collaborating with families, teachers, and community partners, while the ability to work well in a team environment is essential for fostering a supportive workplace.

Additionally, patience, empathy, and cultural sensitivity will help you engage effectively with diverse families within the Reno community, ensuring a compassionate approach to all interactions.

Knowledge and skills required for the position are:

• Develop and coordinate the Disability Services within the Head Start Program;
• Identify students with special needs or disabilities;
• Collaborates with families of children with disabilities for referrals and follow-up within the school district and other educational institutions;
• Track children with disabilities by maintaining and-updating the list of identified students with disabilities;
• Work with children of disabilities using their Individualized Education Plan;
• Establish procedures to provide comprehensive disability services to children and support families;
• Advocate with families for their child with disabilities;
• Promote parent advocacy skills for their child's educational career as it relates to the gaining necessary services for children's disabilities by providing training sessions to families
• Provide monthly and quarterly reports documenting the progress of children with disabilities;
• Participate in Home Visits and Parent Conferences of children on IEPs;
• Assist in recruitment and enrollment of eligible children into the Head Start Program by targeting and collaborating with programs that serve children with disabilities.
• Attend IEP meetings with Head Start Staff, school district personnel and other pertinent persons;
• Assist Head Start teachers with implementing behavior plans and mentoring staff on incorporating children's IEP in the classroom;
• Assist in planning and attend monthly program activities and parent meetings and encourage parent involvement.
• Works effectively in a team environment and actively participates in joint problem solving; willingly cooperates with co-workers listening attentively to others; asks clarifying questions to gain a better understanding of the other person’s views and underlying assumptions, following rules, regulations and policies; positively contributes to implementing changes
• Deals with issues directly in a respectful and timely manner. Focuses on resolving the issue while not criticizing the person
• Employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret information; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret people and situations work under intensive deadlines and interact with management, administrators, staff, teachers, parents, family members, children and others encountered in the course of work.
• Participate in weekly/monthly meetings in conjunction with Mentor Teacher and Family (as needed) Health/Safety Nutrition Advocate and other staff to communicate and track progress of children and families to ensure participant growth in meeting goals established in Progress and Planning Reports health statuses are updated and progress is being made in meeting IEP goals and meet individual needs.
• Promote and establish a positive relationship and communicate effectively with other staff and parents using daily communication and implementing positive working relationships with children, families and co-workers utilizing a variety of communication styles like; informal telephone calls face-to-face conversations, written correspondence, weekly newsletter to provide timely; services, information answers to questions and guidance on a regular basis.
• Communicate on a regular basis verbally electronically and in writing to the Head Start management staff regarding program issues including concerns and recommendations related to but not limited to children, families, staff and program.
• Participate in meetings and training as required by the Supervisor; to improve skills and abilities and to meet Head Start requirements.
• Any deviation from regular scheduled work hours and/or activities employee is responsible for finding other staff to fill in for them and getting pre-approved by supervisor.
• Substitute in all areas of the Head Start program as needed.
• Participate in all phases of Head Start and THE PROGRAM training program.
• Perform other duties as required to be in compliance with THE PROGRAM Personnel Policies and Procedures and the Head start Performance Standards to help meet the needs of the Head Start program.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule to accommodate working parents and to attend evening meetings;
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Knowledge experience and ability to work with children with special needs;
• Education and Knowledge of Special Education.
• Bachelor of Arts degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a major in Early Childhood Special Education or Special Education and two years related work experience in working with preschool children with special needs.
• Able to maintain confidentiality of personal information about children, families and staff.
• Ability to perform all physical requirements of the position; regularly required to stand, walk and sit, talk or hear both in person and by telephone; also regularly required to stoop, kneel, bend, crouch or crawl, climb or balance and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Able to work with people from diverse cultures ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds with knowledge of Tribal community and sensitivity to Native American Indian needs.
• Must be a minimum of twenty-one (21) years of age at time of hire and be eligible for participation in the THE PROGRAM Vehicle Insurance Program;
• Have a valid Driver’s License and current DMV record submitted prior to date of hire;
• Must satisfactorily pass an annual physical examination and TB screening
• Must possess and maintain infant and adult CPR certification, First Aid certification and a Food Handler’s Certification within three (3) months from date of hire and each year thereafter.

If this sounds like the right job for you, don't wait - apply today to join our team. We look forward to hearing from you!

Please Note: Hiring preference is provided to qualified members of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony followed by members of other federally recognized tribes. Reno-Sparks Indian Colony requires any designated candidate to complete a pre-employment criminal background check, drug screen, and confirmation of professional references.