Advocate, Education - Rural Justice Initiative, North/NW, TX

Disability Rights Texas•Plainview, TX

17h

About The Position

The Rural Justice Initiative Advocate - Education is a project-funded position at Disability Rights Texas (DRTx), established through its participation in the Texas Access to Justice Foundation Rural Justice Initiative. The initiative is a five-year, multiregional effort to expand access to civil legal services for low-income Texans with disabilities in designated rural and legal-desert communities. This is a time-limited position funded specifically for the initiative. Continued employment depends on the project’s continuation, available funding, and organizational needs; the role is not intended to be permanent beyond the project or its funding. The Advocate provides advocacy services to individuals with disabilities, including interviewing clients, investigating complaints, monitoring facilities, determining eligibility, reviewing records, and providing non-litigation case support. The role supports clients through advocacy, negotiation, mediation, and service coordination under attorney supervision; drafts letters, complaints, and case notes; and contributes to outreach and education activities related to project priorities. The position works under the direction of an Advocate Supervisor. The position is assigned to the North/NW Texas region. The employee must live within or sufficiently near Parmer, Hall, Floyd, Crosby, Garza, Borden, Castro, Bailey, Motley, King, Stonewall, Scurry, Swisher, Lamb, Cochran, Yoakum, Gaines, Fisher, Briscoe, Hale, Hockley, Terry, or Dawson County to maintain a regular local presence. The Advocate must be reasonably available for in-person outreach, legal clinics, partner meetings, and other activities throughout the service area. The work uses computers, telephones, videoconferencing, case-management systems, and other communication tools for legal work, research, documentation, client communication, and collaboration with geographically dispersed colleagues. Work may take place seated, standing, or in an alternative position, and in DRTx or partner offices, courthouses, administrative hearing locations, schools, libraries, community organizations, clinics, community events, and other rural locations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform 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; or 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 and 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 using 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 in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and case-management systems.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Residence 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 with limited public transportation or other transportation options, 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 in written and spoken communication, as required for this position.

Responsibilities

Conduct client interviews 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 in accordance with client policies and procedures.
Communicate with clients, staff, and external stakeholders about case status and advocacy efforts.
Maintain accurate, timely, and thorough documentation 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 line with RJI priorities.
Apply relevant laws, regulations, policies, and program requirements in service delivery under attorney supervision.
Prioritize workload and manage 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 on 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.