Clients' Rights Advocate/Attorney

DRC encourages individuals who are Deaf or Disabled to apply.   Office Location: Ontario, CA; Inland Regional Center/ Currently Remote   Salary Range (Depending on Experience):  Clients’ Rights Advocate 1: $58,383 - $78, 234 annually Clients’ Rights Advocate 2: $63,063 - $84, 513 annually   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.   Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy (OCRA) Disability Rights California has entered into a contract with the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), State of California, to provide Clients’ Rights Advocacy services at each of the 21 regional centers located statewide. A contract with DDS funds the Clients’ Rights Advocate (CRA) position.   PURPOSE OF THE JOB The CRA provides advocacy services to persons with developmental disabilities who are clients of regional centers and to persons who reside in state developmental centers and community facilities. The CRA position will be located at or near an office of each regional center.    JOB RESPONSIBILITIES Essential functions are the job responsibilities an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. CRA essential functions include:   Assist Clients – 70% ·       Assist with the diverse legal needs of client’s with developmental disabilities who are consumers of the Inland Regional Center. ·       Represent clients at administrative proceedings related to IHSS, Regional Center Eligibility, Regional Center Services, Special Education, and SSI/SSDI. ·       Identify and employ impact advocacy strategies to remove systematic barriers for individuals 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 consumers of the Regional Center. ·       Investigate, facilitate, and report on findings on the resolution of complaints of violation, withholding, or denial of rights made by or on behalf of clients.   Supervision – 15% ·       Directly supervise one Assistant Clients’ Rights Advocate (ACRA).   Outreach / Training – 15% ·       Develop an outreach plan to serve the developmental disabilities communities. ·       Develop and conduct outreach, education, and training for regional center clients and their families, community groups, and others in clients’ rights advocacy.   Other Duties - Perform other duties as assigned.   SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES Directly supervises one (1) ACRA in OCRA and carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the agency's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hire, and train employees; plan, assign, and direct work; appraise performance; reward and discipline employees; address complaints, and resolve problems.   TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS Occasional travel required: Ability to travel occasionally for activities such as out-of-town meetings, training, or outreach activities up to 10% of the time.   WORKING CONDITION The following describes general working conditions and requirements of the job, which the CRA can perform with or without disability-related reasonable accommodations. CRA performs duties in conjunction with the ACRA in a two-person office. Duties regularly require sitting using computer equipment and talking or hearing. Duties occasionally require periods of standing, stooping, kneeling, and crouching primarily related to filing and processing paperwork. CRA may lift and/or move filing boxes and other packages up to 25 pounds.