Disability Rights Wisconsin · 8 hours ago
Advocacy Specialist - VAP
Milwaukee, WI
Full-time
Hybrid
New Grad, Entry Level
$51K/yr - $67K/yr
0+ years expDisability Rights Wisconsin is the state’s Protection and Advocacy system, dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities. The Advocacy Specialist will provide direct advocacy assistance to individuals with disabilities who have been victims of crime, along with administrative tasks related to case maintenance and systems advocacy.
Non Profit
Responsibilities
Participate in intake, referral, case acceptance, and quality assurance functions on the Victim Advocacy team
Collect client information in preparation for team acceptance meetings or meetings with a supervisor, inform the person requesting assistance of the decision to accept or deny the case, and make appropriate referrals
Extensive direct client contact providing advocacy to individuals with disabilities statewide, including meeting with individuals personally at DRW offices, in client homes, and/or in community settings; this includes making some independent judgments about advocacy strategy in the field
Provide information, guidance, consultation, and technical assistance over the telephone to individuals who call for help on advocacy issues about people with disabilities who are survivors of crime
Maintain a caseload of individuals needing advocacy assistance, including: giving information, advice, and self-advocacy assistance in person or over the phone; accompanying clients to court proceedings to obtain restraining orders; assisting clients to navigate criminal justice systems, including reporting crime to law enforcement, discussing charges to be filed with prosecutors, and drafting victim impact statements to be read at sentencing; intervening or collaborating directly with law enforcement, service providers, government/school administrations, and others as necessary
Participate in interdisciplinary teams as a representative of the Victim Advocacy Program
Consult and collaborate with other DRW advocates on individual cases and advocacy issues
Complete required intake and case recording forms and maintain accurate records of client interactions and case progress
Develop and maintain resource files on topics including legal rights of individuals, victims’ rights, grievance procedures, and other advocacy resources, victim service, and disability related organizations
Maintain client and project files both electronically and in paper files. Comply with DRW client data reporting requirements, compile and organize statistical data
As assigned, participate in internal DRW work groups or teams to develop appropriate advocacy strategies and programming for working on behalf of people with disabilities
Participate in outreach strategies and events
Qualification
Required
At least 6 months of paid or unpaid work providing advocacy and/or support to victims/survivors of crime
At least 6 months of paid or unpaid experience doing the following: interviewing people; identifying a problem and creating a plan to solve the problem; and negotiating or assisting someone in negotiating to achieve a solution to a problem
Excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills
Basic computer skills, including email, word processing, and use of the internet
Ability to travel statewide
Preferred
Fluency or strong proficiency in American Sign Language, Hmong, or Spanish
Direct paid or unpaid experience with people with mental illness and other disabilities
Bachelor's Degree in a field relevant to providing advocacy and support to victims/survivors of crime or people with disabilities
Working knowledge of state and county victim response programs, services and delivery systems. Familiarity with state laws about victim rights, restraining orders, and divorce
Familiarity with the Wisconsin criminal legal system
Demonstrated commitment to social justice issues
Benefits
Generous employer contribution for individual and family health insurance, plus a Health Reimbursement Account for uncovered health care costs.
Employer-provided Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Contribution
Flex Spending Account
Access to affordable, quality: Dental, Vision Coverage Additional Life Insurance for the employee, spouse, and children Critical Illness Insurance Identity Theft Pet Insurance
Public Student Loan Forgiveness
Generous Paid Time Off Policies Include 10 Fixed and 4 Floating Holidays Leave time for: Medical and Caretaking Vacation Personal Bereavement Leave
Additional Benefits Include The Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Company
Disability Rights Wisconsin
Disability Rights Wisconsin is a private non-profit organization that protects the rights of people with disabilities statewide.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageRecent News
Company data provided by crunchbase