Community Navigator - Rural Justice Initiative, East, TX

Disability Rights Texas•Beaumont, TX

About The Position

The Community Navigator is a project-funded position for Disability Rights Texas’ Rural Justice Initiative (RJI), a collaborative effort to expand access to civil legal services for low-income Texans with disabilities in designated rural and legal-desert communities. The position is assigned to East Texas and requires a regular, meaningful local presence in the assigned service area. The role is time-limited to the five-year initiative and depends on continued project funding and organizational need; it does not guarantee employment beyond the project period or available funding. The Navigator develops and carries out regional community engagement and outreach to improve access to DRTx services. The work includes identifying barriers to accessing services, building relationships with trusted local organizations, helping clients navigate community resources, coordinating referrals, sharing accurate information, and representing DRTx at community and other events. In collaboration with RJI staff and the Outreach Manager, the Navigator implements a community engagement plan and supports outreach materials, community education, legal access activities, data collection, and grant reporting. Under a Supervising Attorney’s direction, the Navigator may also provide non-litigation legal support and short-term case work. The position requires regular travel and in-person engagement throughout its assigned rural service area, including outreach events, legal clinics, partner meetings, and other project activities. 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 uses computers, telephones, videoconferencing, case-management and outreach-tracking 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 Service, or a related field, plus two years of related experience with demonstrated success working with persons with disabilities; OR four years of experience working with persons with disabilities; OR being an individual with a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
One year of experience in a field related to outreach work involving a variety of social-service programs.
Ability to develop and sustain professional relationships and establish credibility in the community.
Ability to work independently, including in isolated conditions, and collaboratively in a team environment.
Ability to work remotely or from home.
Current valid Texas motor vehicle operator’s license.
Ability to travel at least 70% of the time throughout Texas.
Ability to work evenings and weekends when required.
Effective communication skills and ability to enter complete, thorough, and accurate data in a timely manner.
Knowledge of disability issues and current events relating to people with disabilities.
Willingness to take direction and independently follow through on instructions accurately and promptly.
Ability to manage individual workloads so services are delivered in a timely and appropriate manner.
Time-management, multitasking, prioritization, and organizational skills, including the ability to meet deadlines under challenging conditions.
Ability to follow complex directions, conduct research, and apply research effectively.
Interpersonal, relationship-building, and collaboration skills to work effectively with people inside and outside the organization, including the flexibility to manage by influence.
Strong attention to detail and follow-up skills.
Functional knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint.
Commitment to service excellence and high standards of integrity, ethics, and judgment.
Experience with computer- and web-based information systems and telephone systems.
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 transportation options, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to attend in-person outreach events and community activities in the assigned service area.
Ability to work effectively with people from diverse socioeconomic, geographic, cultural, linguistic, and disability backgrounds.

Nice To Haves

Experience in public interest, legal aid, disability rights, special education, housing, public benefits, or other civil legal services.
Experience developing relationships with community organizations, schools, healthcare organizations, government entities, or other community-based institutions.
Existing professional or community ties to the assigned RJI service area.
Spanish bilingual proficiency, written and spoken, as required for the position.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a community engagement plan for the assigned county or region and conduct outreach promoting RJI initiatives and DRTx services.
Identify opportunities for collaboration and community education that can generate referrals and improve access to legal services, including information distribution, presentations, organizational education, and event attendance.
Work with RJI partner organizations, DRTx staff, Community Justice Workers, other navigators, intake personnel, pro bono attorneys, and project personnel; make appropriate referrals to partner organizations.
Research regional and local community needs, legal-service gaps, accessibility barriers, referral networks, and community-based organization trends to inform outreach priorities and strategies.
Collect and accurately record outreach and engagement data and support RJI grant reporting in accordance with project standards and procedures.
Plan, organize, and carry out accessible rural community events and legal access activities with local partners and RJI staff.
Develop and deliver approved educational outreach materials in collaboration with substantive issue teams and the Outreach Manager.
Identify and navigate available community resources for clients’ service needs and make appropriate referrals for wrap-around services.
Communicate respectfully and appropriately with clients and community members, including in challenging situations involving rights violations or other issues.
Manage difficult conversations calmly, professionally, and courteously.
Gather and accurately document preliminary information from people requesting assistance and provide approved, accurate information, materials, or referrals.
Explain applicant eligibility, case priority, RJI funding sources, and levels of service clearly and accurately.
Follow DRTx client-services policies and procedures for client interviews, case records, and documentation.
Clearly communicate relevant information to clients, colleagues, stakeholders, and other necessary parties.
When assigned case work, identify and develop short-term case strategies within parameters set by the Supervising Attorney.
Complete required letters, documentation, and correspondence accurately and on time.
Continue developing disability-related knowledge and collaborate with DRTx colleagues to stay informed about changing regulations, policies, laws, and related issues.
Use case-management software appropriately, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple responsibilities in a timely manner.
Establish personal credibility within the organization, with clients, and with other interested parties.
Apply the organization’s vision and values in work-related activities and interactions.
Perform other job-related duties consistent with the position’s scope and the purposes of the RJI.