Supervised by GALS, Giving Austin Labor Support, the primary purpose of the GALS Birthworker is to meet the needs of under-resourced birthing people in Central Texas during the perinatal period. This will include but is not limited to traveling to residential areas and birthing locations to provide professional doula support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

GALS is dedicated to antiracism, reproductive justice work, and is devoted to ending maternal mortality in Central Texas.

We are seeking culturally competent, compassionate Birthworkers to join our team. For some positions, no prior experience is necessary- but a willingness to learn, a flexible schedule, and the emotional and physical stamina to attend long labors is needed. We provide on-site training and continuing education for GALS Birthworkers, in return for a minimum commitment of 12 months of active participation in the On-Call, Prenatal, Jail or Postpartum programs.

This opportunity requires a minimum commitment of being on-call twice a month and potentially very long hours at births.

The average time our Birthworkers stay at a birth is 9-14 hours, but it may be quite a bit shorter or considerably longer. Prenatal and Postpartum support is also provided and can vary from 1-5 hours at a time.

Provide education, emotional, and physical support to pregnant, birthing, and postpartum people

Honor the wishes and plans of the birthing person, not imposing your own beliefs about birth upon them

Provide support to the whole family

Be available for on-call labor support for two 24-hour periods per month (you designate the day, and start and end times)

Record visit notes within 24-72 hours following any meeting with a family

Uphold the values of GALS with families and amongst the GALS community of birthworkers

-be at least 18 years old

-agree to and sign a confidentiality agreement

-agree to and sign our Scope of Practice agreement

-participate in GALS-sponsored continuing education workshops including an approved anti-racism training: MHEC anti-racism, Groundwater Analysis Training, or Racism & Privilege in Birthwork from Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings

-read The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin

-attend the GALS Training and Orientation

-complete a self-paced, virtual Data Collection training following orientation

-support GALS through participation in community outreach, fundraising and education

*for the Postpartum Program, complete a virtual, self paced training

*for the Jail Program, complete TCSO background clearance, orientation and onboarding at the jail, as well as additional onboarding from GALS

At the Orientation, you will learn about GALS history, our mission and vision, and your role as a GALS Birthworker.

We will cover topics including:

History of GALS and our framework for supporting families

Systemic racism and the impacts on maternity care

Overview of how trauma and racism can affect the birth experience

Overview of birth support, with emphasis on common GALS scenarios

How to respond to a call for support

What to do when you arrive at the hospital

Overview of collecting and reporting GALS data

Other opportunities within GALS

Job Type: Contracted

Pay is variable depending on program; Group facilitation: $50, On-call: $300, Postpartum: $600, Prenatal: $1000.

As a GALS Contracted Careworker (birthworker or childcare specialist), you have access to:

-A community of other like-minded careworkers via online platform
-Profile/bio on GALS website
-Access to clientele (families) without the need to market or advertise
-Ability to work for families who don’t have the ability to pay out of pocket
-Compiled resources for families you are providing care including financial support, postpartum meal(s), access to physical donations, etc.
-Mentorship opportunities
-Data platform to keep track of client support
-Access to storage unit with physical items for the families you work with
-Staff support in processing emotionally challenging situations
-Access to confidential Employee Assistance Program for you and your family including short-term therapy, financial coaching, substance abuse treatment, and legal support
-Internal training and certifications such as: Postpartum Birthworker training, Childcare Specialist training, Perinatal Educational Course, Babywearing, Anti-racism training, Perinatal mental health training, Monthly meetings, Birthworker Skills Days, PLUS Discounted external trainings

Other books GALS recommends include:

Birthing Justice, edited by Julia Chinyere Oparah, and Alicia D. Bonaparte

The First Forty Days, by Heng Ou

Pushed, by Jennifer Block

Medical Apartheid, by Harriet A. Washington

Birth without Fear, by January Harshe

Killing the Black Body, by Dorthy Roberts

Where’s the Mother? by Trevor MacDonald

When Survivors Give Birth, by Simkin/Klaus

Supervised by GALS, Giving Austin Labor Support, the primary purpose of the Childcare Specialist is to meet the lack of childcare needs for Black birthing people in Central Texas during the perinatal period. This will include but is not limited to traveling to residential areas to provide professional supervision and care for children whose parent is attending doctor visits, experiencing birth/postpartum, hospital readmission, and during periods of health concern such as prescribed bed rest or Perinatal mental health diagnosis.

Both GALS and the collaborative are dedicated to antiracism, reproductive justice work, and is devoted to ending maternal mortality in Central Texas.

We are seeking a culturally competent, compassionate Childcare Specialist. The ideal candidate will be required to supervise children’s daily activities, prepare stimulating activities, and ensure healthy meals and snacks are available. You may also be required to provide support to a hurt or injured child.

Provide a safe, nurturing, and fun environment for children

Provide basic childcare services such as changing diapers, assisting with bath time and ensuring children are properly fed and dressed

Offering emotional and physical support when children are hurt or injured

Notifying primary caregivers and the GALS dispatcher when children are hurt or injured

Adjusting to parents’ schedules as required

Providing on-call emergency childcare service

18 years of age or older

Commitment to providing culturally relevant, racially equitable, and high quality childcare

Extensive knowledge and/or lived experience of Black community

Successful completion of MHEC Childcare Specialist training

Complete MHEC anti-racism training

The ability to pass a criminal background check (fingerprinting)

A qualification in early childhood education or similar may be advantageous

Experience working  with children is preferable 

Completion of CPR and First Aid Certifications 

The ability to work in fast-paced, unpredictable environments

Sound judgement skills

Superb multitasking abilities

Job Type: Contracted

Pay:

$25/hour / 1 child

$28/hour / 2 children

$30/hour / 3 children

$35/hour / 4+ children

Benefits:

Flexible work schedule

Opportunity to learn with a fast-growing nonprofit

Work adjacent to and within the Maternal Health Equity Collaborative

Gain educational skills to take your career further

Work alongside Birthworkers/Doulas to create better Maternal Health outcomes for Black mothers and children whilst learning something new every day

The above description covers the principal duties and responsibilities of the job. The description shall not, however, be construed as a complete listing of all miscellaneous, incidental or similar duties which may be required from day-to-day. The candidate selected for employment will be required to submit to a criminal background check.

Position is dependent on grant funding.