Disability Rights California

About Disability Rights California

If you require an accommodation due to a disability to complete this application OR you are experiencing issues submitting your application and accompanying materials please e-mail [email removed]. DEADLINE: Open until filled. Applications should be received by February 21, 2020, to be considered for the first round of interviews. SALARY RANGE (Depending on Experience): $23.34 - $29.80 hourly LOCATION: Sacramento, Chico, Eureka, Oakland, Ontario, or Orange County Position Openings: 2 WHO WE ARE Disability Rights California (DRC) is a statewide, non-profit legal organization dedicated to advancing the rights of Californians with disabilities. DRC works to achieve fairness and justice for people with disabilities through individual and impact litigation, state and federal policy and regulatory advocacy, and community education and training. Intake and Outreach (IO) Practice Group Focused on serving all Californians with disabilities, the Intake and Outreach (I/O) Practice Group consists of committed advocates and attorneys, who work together to empower people to self-advocate and help them resolve their legal issues. We provide trainings and self-advocacy workshops, advice and assistance on the intake hotline, coordinating and implementing community based legal clinics, providing short term advocacy on limited legal issues, and organizing community members for future systemic litigation by Disability Rights California. Our staff are as diverse as the communities we seek to serve. We reach many people with cultural, language, and disability differences. We are committed to reaching and empowering under represented and under-served communities. PURPOSE OF THE JOB The Advocate provides basic advocacy to people who have disabilities, with an emphasis on reaching out to people from under-served communities, defined as language and ethnically distinct communities, rural communities, people at risk of or experiencing homelessness, LGBTQI+ and sensory disability communities. The primary objectives are to manage requests for legal services through the intake line and DRC’s outreach efforts and to provide short term assistance and training to people who have questions about their disability related legal rights both on the phone and in the community. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS DRC provides reasonable disability accommodations to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Advocate essential functions include: Client Services Providing advocacy services to individuals who seek representation through intake and outreach efforts, including providing information and referral, counsel and advice, brief service, and technical assistance. This includes case and file management, documentation, record keeping, and appropriate case opening and closure. Working directly with 1-3 practice groups within Disability Rights California to review and manage the requests for service that come to the agency related to the area of law. Community Development Identifying and networking with community leaders and partners, establishing relationships with those partners, and providing outreach, training and legal clinics to the disability community throughout the state with an emphasis on under-served communities (defined as language and ethnically distinct communities, rural communities, people at risk of or experiencing homelessness, LGBTQI+ and sensory disability communities.) Liaison with practice groups to communicate systemic issues with staff members and identify appropriate staffing for outreach events. Publicize outreach events both internally and externally Developing and engaging in community based legal clinics, meeting with potential clients in the community, creating client files and providing advocacy to individuals seeking information and representation from Disability Rights California at outreach events. Phone Lines Handling calls on the statewide intake phone line in 1-3 areas of law for at least eight to ten days per month (in most cases, two days per week). Creating client files, and providing advocacy to individuals seeking information and representation from Disability Rights California. Advocate marginal functions: Assist in development of intake and referral guidelines and data collection procedures and techniques. Assist in routine office procedures or provide assistance to coworkers or clients with disabilities within the work environment as required. Prepare reports and articles as required. Perform other duties as assigned. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES This position has no supervisory responsibilities. TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS Ability to travel frequently for activities such as out-of-town meetings, client visits, group meetings, workshops, education, training, or outreach activities up to 40% of the time. Depending on the distance, some events may require overnight travel. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS Education and Experience High school diploma or general education degree (GED); Sufficient experience to provide proficiency in client contact, data collection and oral presentation skills. (Typically 2-3 years’ experience.) Demonstrated ability to interview people in a variety of methods including on the phone, in person, or over email. Strong organizational skills and an ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in an efficient and timely manner. Ability to listen to and synthesize information in a clear manner and to communicate information to individuals in a variety of formats, including verbally, in ASL, in writing, and in other formats. Demonstrated ability to lead client groups, organize client events, and work with clients in innovative ways. Demonstrated ability to develop training materials, self-advocacy materials, or training modules. Experience in presenting or training in front of varied and diverse audiences. Experience working with individuals who have disabilities and knowledge about disability communities. Experience working with people across a variety of backgrounds in the community, including individuals from language or ethnically distinct communities, people with disabilities, people at risk of or experiencing homelessness, elderly populations, and a variety of socioeconomic groups. LICENSES / CERTIFICATES This position has no license or certificate requirement. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor's (BA or BS) degree in a related field from four-year college OR equivalent combination of experience and/or training. Able to communicate fluently and write effectively in Spanish or an Asian language, or able to communicate using American Sign Language. Life experience as a person with a disability OR direct experience as a caregiver of a family member with a disability. CORE COMPETENCIES The competencies below represent the knowledge, skills, behaviors and/or abilities required to be successful at DRC, with or without disability related reasonable accommodations. Advocacy Ability to conduct intakes and identify and resolve problems. Ability to anticipate and address clients’ needs. Ability to participate and/or represent DRC in meetings. Ability to educate, present to, and train diverse communities with disabilities. Builds credibility as a representative by demonstrating personal commitment and sharing information. Ability to negotiate problems, present alternatives and creative solutions, and assess consequences. Ability to conduct interviews and/or investigations. Ability to empower people through sharing knowledge and providing step-by-step guidance to self-advocate. Communication Ability to read and interpret documents such as procedure, advocacy, or facility manuals, safety rules, and operating instructions. Ability to write routine reports and create simple training materials. Ability to effectively present information before groups of clients and other employees of the agency. Ability to use clear, concise language to provide timely and accurate written and oral communication. Ability to effectively present information, and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, and the public. Critical Thinking Ability to solve problems while factoring in a number of variables, using sound and logical reasoning, and the proper level of authority. Ability to utilize available information, past experience, and sound judgment to select the best approach in a timely manner despite ambiguity, and determine when deviations are appropriate. Diversity & Inclusion Advocates for deep understanding and respect for the diversity of disabilities, cultures, values, perspectives and beliefs. Works to understand the perspectives of others and encourages them to provide their perspectives. Leverages diverse perspectives in group processes and decision-making. Anticipates and recognizes the concerns of others, even if those concerns are not openly expressed. Relationship Building Ability to take proactive steps to reach out to clients, community leaders and partners, facilities and/or community agencies in more direct, relevant, and personal ways. Addresses issues in an open, constructive, professional manner, and persuades others to approach issues in the same manner.Seeksto resolve confrontations and disagreements constructively. Focuses on the situation, issues, or behaviors, rather than the people.Supports the good ideas of others. Ability to be sensitive and respectful to underserved communities and communities with disabilities. High degree of cultural humility. WORKING CONDITIONS The following describes general working conditions and requirements of the job, which can be performed with or without disability related reasonable accommodations. Duties are performed between an office environment and the field in a wide range of settings, including health care facilities; in client, group, or family homes; community agencies; or in community-based outpatient settings. Work areas are often noisy. Duties frequently require sitting, talking and/or hearing and occasional periods of standing, stooping, kneeling, and crouching. Weights to be lifted and/or moved up to 10 pounds are frequently encountered. Must be able to transport oneself to work-related meeting, centers, etc. If you are interested in becoming a part of DRC, please submit the following: 1. Online Disability Rights California Application Form 2. Your resume 3. Detailed cover letter. 4. Writing Sample - 1-2 page of summary which best describes your writing style. At Disability Rights California, we value diversity among our employees because unique perspectives allow us to effectively serve Californians with disabilities from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, age (over 40), Disability (mental and physical), sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military and veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Disability Rights California endorses and supports the intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are applicants or employees who need accommodations.

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Company Type: Nonprofit

Company Size: 51 - 250

Revenue: 5 - 25 million (USD)

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