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Disability Rights California · 1 month ago

Staff Attorney/Clients’ Right Advocate 1 or 2 (Bilingual-English/Spanish)

Norwalk, CA

Full-time

Hybrid

Mid, Senior Level

$69K/yr - $91K/yr

2+ years exp

Disability Rights California (DRC) defends, advances, and strengthens the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities. The Staff Attorney/Clients’ Right Advocate will advocate for people with developmental disabilities, providing information, advice, and representation on legal topics while collaborating with other advocates and attorneys.

Responsibilities

Work in-person in the Norwalk office a minimum of two days per week, in collaboration with OCRA’s Harbor Regional Center team

Provide information and advice about the diverse legal needs of people with developmental disabilities who receive services from the regional center

Represent clients at administrative proceedings regarding education, public benefits, and regional center eligibility and services

Identify and employ impact advocacy strategies to remove systematic barriers for people with disabilities

Develop and engage in relationships and collaborations with a range of public and private community partners, including governmental agencies and community-based organizations, to ensure integrative services for people who receive regional center services

Investigate, facilitate, and report on findings from complaints of violation, withholding, or denial of rights

May directly supervise up to one advocate. In the alternative, the time allocated for supervision duties will instead be dedicated to advocacy

Develop and implement an outreach plan, including targeted outreach to traditionally underserved communities

Strengthen and build relationships with local community-based organizations

Develop and conduct outreach, education, and training for regional center clients and their families, community groups, and others

Perform other duties as assigned

Directly supervises one (1) advocate and carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the agency's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interview, hire, and train employees; plan, assign, and direct work; appraise performance; reward and discipline employees; address complaints and resolve problems

Qualification

Juris Doctor degreeAdvocacy for disabilitiesBilingual-English/SpanishResearchAnalysisDisabilitiesCommunication skillsSupervisory experienceTraining experienceResourcesWindows applications

Required

Juris Doctor degree

Able to communicate fluently and write effectively in Spanish, including the ability to interpret and translate

Two or more years of experience advocating for the rights of people with developmental disabilities; or in a paid or volunteer position relating to regional center services, special education, or Social Security; or working with vulnerable people or communities

Ability to conduct research and analysis of pertinent legal authority

Written and verbal communication skills sufficient to communicate complex legal questions and issues to the general public

Experience working with or sensitivity to people with disabilities

Experience working with or sensitivity to people from ethnic or language distinct communities

For placement as a CRA 2, must be admitted to the California State Bar, or eligible to practice under California's Registered Legal Services Attorney Program. If eligible under the RLSA Program, must become admitted to the California State Bar within five (5) years. If you are hired as a CRA 1 and later become licensed, you are eligible for an immediate promotion to CRA 2

Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization

Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party

Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options

Can write clear, detailed texts on a variety of subjects related to his/her field of interest, synthesizing, and evaluating information and arguments

Occasional travel required. Ability to travel occasionally for activities such as client meetings, out-of-town meetings, team meetings, training, or outreach activities up to 10% of the time. More travel may be required to meet program or contract requirements

Duties are performed in office and home environments and the field in a wide range of settings, including private residences, courthouses, congregate care or other institutional settings, and community agencies

Duties frequently require communicating with others in-person and over online platforms

Must be able to transport oneself to work-related meetings, hearings, facilities, and settings where clients live

Preferred

Three or more years advocating for the rights of people with developmental disabilities

Knowledge of statewide resources available to people with developmental disabilities

Experience reviewing medical or educational records

Alternate dispute resolution training and practice

One or more years supervising colleagues in a work or volunteer setting

Contacts with disability organizations and/or within disability communities

Experience with or extensive contacts in ethnic or language distinct communities

Experience providing training to a diverse range of people

Life experience as a person with a disability or direct experience as a caregiver of a person with a disability

Proficiency with Windows-based computer applications including Microsoft Office and case management software

Demonstrated experience and ability to work effectively with a variety of organizations and individuals with diverse perspectives, including people with disabilities, administrators, advocacy groups, and the public, and to maintain confidentiality in all matters