Advocate

Individuals who are Deaf or Disabled are encouraged to apply.   SALARY RANGE (Depending on Experience): $23.34 - $31.29 hourly    Employment Status: Regular, Non-Exempt, Full-Time, 37.5 hours   LOCATION: Los Angeles, Ontario, Sacramento, San Diego, or Oakland. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this position currently works remotely but is expected to be required to work in the office once onsite operations resume.   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. DRC recognizes that in order to be effective advocates for all people with disabilities, we must address discrimination in all its forms, including the unique challenges faced by people who experience the intersection of multiple systems of discrimination.   PATHWAYS TO WORK The Pathways to Work Practice Group provides advocacy services to people experiencing disability-related barriers to employment.  Through the Client Assistance Program (CAP), we assist people with difficulties seeking or receiving vocational rehabilitation services from the Department of Rehabilitation, independent living centers or other Rehabilitation Act-funded programs.  We also assist people with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits in addressing barriers in work, such as reasonable accommodations and transportation.  In partnership with other DRC Practice Groups, our staff also assists individuals with disabilities to obtain meaningful work at a competitive wage.   PURPOSE OF THE JOB The Advocate for the Pathways to Work team shares responsibility with other legal advocacy staff for providing information, technical assistance, representation, outreach, and training to people and other stakeholders with disabilities, under the direct mentorship of senior staff.   ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS DRC provides reasonable disability accommodations to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Advocate essential functions include: Assist Clients – 85% - Assist clients and/or represent clients in meetings, negotiations, mediations, administrative proceedings in one or more substantive areas and under supervision which can include: a) Responding to requests for information and advice from clients. b) Interviewing clients and witnesses and maintain their case files. d) Reviewing notices, records and other documents to ascertain facts. e) Investigating factual issues and issue spot for relevant advocacy strategy and possible courses of action. f) Researching the applicable law and apply Disability Rights California’s standards and criteria to determine what level of assistance is appropriate for each client. i) Developing and implementing options and case strategies appropriate given the law and the facts with direct assistance from senior staff.   Outreach / Training – 15% - Prepare written materials and conduct outreach to, and education and training of, consumers, community groups, advocates and others, particularly those from traditionally underserved communities. - Participate with other agencies and organizations to address recurring problems and systemic issues affecting people with disabilities including the unique challenges faced by people who experience the intersection of multiple systems of discrimination. - Participate in the development and pursuit of law reform activities, including: participate on inter-agency task forces and commissions, analyze or draft language for bills and proposed regulations, testify before legislative and administrative bodies, and collaborate on reports, articles and special projects.                                                                          Other Duties - Assist with organizational development and planning, including the Disability Rights California’s Advocacy Plan and intersectional advocacy efforts. - Perform other duties as assigned.   TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS Ability to travel occasionally for activities such as out-of-town meetings, training, or outreach activities up to 25% of the time.   WORKING CONDITIONS Work is done in a typical office environment, which includes regular sitting, use of a computer, written and verbal communication through a computer. May occasionally require standing, stooping, kneeling, and crouching primarily related to filing and processing paperwork. May occasionally encounter lifting, as exampled by adding paper to a copy machine.