Advocate, Education - Rural Justice Initiative, East, TX

Disability Rights Texas•Houston, TX

About The Position

Disability Rights Texas is hiring an Education Advocate for its Rural Justice Initiative (RJI), a collaborative, five-year effort to expand access to civil legal services for low-income Texans with disabilities in designated rural and legal-desert communities. This is a project-funded, time-limited position. Continued employment depends on the continuation of the project, available funding, and organizational needs; the role does not guarantee employment beyond the project period or its funding. The Advocate provides non-litigation advocacy services to individuals with disabilities. Duties include interviewing clients, assessing eligibility and service needs, investigating complaints, monitoring facilities, reviewing records, developing case strategies, managing a caseload, and supporting clients through advocacy, negotiation, mediation, and service coordination under attorney supervision. The Advocate also drafts letters, complaints, and case notes, and contributes to community outreach and education. The position is assigned to an identified RJI service area. The employee must live within or sufficiently near that area to maintain a meaningful local presence and be reasonably available for in-person outreach, legal clinics, partner meetings, and other project activities. Geographic assignments may change based on project priorities, community needs, grant requirements, and coordination with RJI partners. Regular travel throughout rural Texas is required, potentially in areas with limited transportation options. Work may take place in DRTx or partner offices, courthouses, administrative hearing locations, schools, libraries, clinics, community organizations, and other rural community settings. The role involves regular use of computers, telephones, videoconferencing, case-management systems, and other communication tools. Duties may be performed seated, standing, or in an alternative position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Education, Psychology, Rehabilitation Counseling, Disability Studies, Social Services, or a related field and two years of relevant experience working with individuals with disabilities; alternatively, four years of equivalent related experience.
One year of experience in a field related to outreach work involving a variety of social service programs.
Familiarity with special education services and procedures, with the ability to quickly develop mastery of this knowledge.
Knowledge of laws, regulations, and programs affecting individuals with disabilities, or the ability to acquire that knowledge within a reasonable period.
Ability to analyze information, identify issues, and support the development of effective solutions.
Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences through a variety of methods, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic work environment.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow-through.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and with case-management systems.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Must reside within or sufficiently near the assigned geographic service area to meet local-presence and community-engagement requirements.
Ability and willingness to travel regularly throughout rural Texas, including to communities where transportation options may be limited, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to attend in-person outreach events and community activities within the assigned service area.
Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse socioeconomic, geographic, cultural, linguistic, and disability backgrounds.

Nice To Haves

Experience in public interest, legal aid, disability rights, special education, public benefits, or other civil legal services.
Existing professional or community ties to the assigned RJI service area.
Experience working in advocacy, legal services, or disability-related programs.
Experience delivering presentations or conducting community outreach.
Familiarity with public systems and laws affecting individuals with disabilities that are relevant to the RJI.
Spanish bilingual proficiency, written and spoken, as required for this position.

Responsibilities

Interview clients and gather information to assess eligibility, case priority, and service needs.
Monitor facilities.
Investigate complaints and analyze facts to identify legal and advocacy issues.
Develop and implement case strategies in collaboration with the RJI team.
Manage an assigned caseload, including documentation, follow-up, and case coordination.
Maintain contact with clients according to client policies and procedures.
Communicate with clients, staff, and external stakeholders about case status and advocacy efforts.
Maintain accurate, timely, and thorough records in case-management systems.
Provide advocacy support, including negotiation, mediation, and service coordination, under attorney supervision.
Provide information, referrals, and short-term assistance to individuals not receiving extended services, under attorney supervision.
Develop and deliver outreach and training presentations to individuals, families, and community partners in accordance with RJI priorities.
Apply relevant laws, regulations, policies, and program requirements in service delivery under attorney supervision.
Prioritize work and manage multiple responsibilities to meet deadlines and service expectations.
Collaborate with RJI team members and other departments to support effective service delivery.
Participate in ongoing training and professional development concerning disability rights and related issues.
Draft letters, complaints, and case notes.
Perform other job-related duties consistent with the position's scope and the purposes of the Rural Justice Initiative.