Job Title: Program Directory – Family Formation
Location: Flexible – must be comfortable working from a home-based environment
Reporting to: Chief Program Officer
Salary Range: $63,000 – $73,000
Background:
Founded in 1979, Family Equality’s mission is to advance legal and lived equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) families, and for those who wish to form them, through building community, changing hearts and minds, and driving policy change.
We envision a future where all LGBTQ+ families, regardless of creation or composition, live in communities that recognize, respect, protect, and value them. We envision a world in which everyone has the right and should have the opportunity to form and sustain a loving family, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, national origin, geography, socioeconomic status, disability, or the intersection of those characteristics. Finally, we envision systems of service and support that are free of discrimination and that maximize opportunities for youth needing permanency and LGBTQ+ adults seeking family formation.
Position Summary:
The Program department at Family Equality cultivates expertise and advances proactive resources to support LGBTQ+ family creation and recognition nationwide, utilizing LGBTQ+ family-inclusive practices, coordinating resources, and promoting safe and welcoming LGBTQ+ family environments.
The Program Department acts as a clearinghouse for today’s best practices in working with and supporting LGBTQ+ families and LGBTQ+ families-to-be; aligns these supports with the lived realities of the LGBTQ+ community; and closely collaborates with national, state, and local partners, including parent groups, LGBTQ+ resource centers, and coalition partners, on shared objectives.
The Director of Family Formation is responsible for implementing the Family Formation Support and Resources Pillar of the Program Department’s Strategic Plan ensuring that LGBTQ+ parents and those who wish to form an LGBTQ+ family have clear access to a variety of family formation/expansion options, as well as resources to support them as they seek to become parents.
The Director of Family Formation may supervise manager and intern/fellow-level staff.
Specifically, the Director of Family Formation:
- Engages and supports LGBTQ+ parents and parents-to-be in their efforts to add children to their families;
- Provides training to family formation entities seeking to increase organizational competence working within the LGBTQ+ family formation space;
- Provides training to corporations seeking to develop LGBTQ+ family-friendly policies and procedures;
- Conceptualizes and implements innovative strategies to offset family formation financial constraints for the LGBTQ+ community.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct focus groups with LGBTQ+ families and families-to-be to determine annual priorities;
- Develop and travel to Family Formation Panels;
- Develop and maintain a comprehensive website that provides family formation resources in each state;
- Seek out sponsors to fund innovative strategies to offset financial barriers to family formation for LGBTQ+ parents and parents-to-be;
- Oversee development of LGBTQ+ specific curricula and materials for loss and grief around family formation;
- Develop process for online self-assessment and training protocol;
- Oversee development of online training modules for medical professionals seeking to advance their LGBTQ+ competencies;
- Oversee development of trainings for corporations seeking to effect internal policy change regarding LGBTQ+ family-friendly policies and benefits;
- Leverage the organization’s resources, tools and online publications to expand awareness of Family Equality nationally;
- Support and identify opportunities for innovative partnerships within both the public and private sectors, academia, government agencies, and faith leaders, all to further advance Family Equality’s projects and services;
- Represent Family Equality and its mission in the community;
- Other responsibilities as assigned by the Chief Program Officer.
Minimum Qualifications:
All candidates must have a “can do” attitude, enjoy a fast-paced environment, be highly organized without losing sight of larger objectives, and be committed to justice and equality for LGBTQ+ families.
- A bachelor’s degree in education, social service, public health or a related field preferred – however, Family Equality also values critical skills and relevant experience;
- Extensive knowledge of family formation modalities;
- Experience planning and managing both small and large-scale projects with excellent organizational skills;
- Experience working with multiple and diverse partners, including but not limited to child and family service providers, local and national business leaders, advocates, community organizers, field experts, youth, policymakers, grant-makers, and individual donors;
- Experience working effectively with broadcast, online, and print media, including serving as an organizational spokesperson;
- Knowledge of the full range of family engagement challenges, as faced in community outreach;
- Exceptional writing, verbal, and interpersonal skills, including public speaking;
- Ability to handle and prioritize appropriately multiple tasks in a timely, efficient, and flexible manner;
- Ability to collaborate on projects with staff from other departments, and a high level of personal investment in contributing to the overall organizational priorities;
- Willingness to travel as needed (estimated at 40%);
- Ability to work from a fully-connected home office (or must secure own office space);
- Demonstrated experience working in the LGBTQ+ or allied movements is preferred; commitment and desire to working in a multi-cultural environment where diversity based on race, ethnic origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical ability, family status, socioeconomic status, and other characteristics is an important and practiced value is essential.
Family Equality provides a team-based environment and we value the benefits of a diversified workplace.
Family Equality provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, childbirth, (or related medical conditions, including, but not limited to lactation), physical disability, mental and/or intellectual disability, age, military status or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, gender (including sex stereotyping and gender identity or expression), medical condition (including, but not limited to, cancer-related or HIV/AIDS-related), genetic information, or sexual orientation in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.
Women, people of color, transgender individuals and members of other underrepresented populations are strongly encouraged to apply.
Family Equality performs background checks on all volunteers and staff members as a condition of employment. However, Family Equality also supports and encourages people who were formerly convicted to be active in their community.
Background checks results that indicate a conviction do not necessarily disqualify you from employment – Family Equality reserves the right to request further information to fully assess an applicant’s candidacy in relationship to the job duties associated with the position.
A comprehensive benefit package is offered to all full-time employees.