Community Navigator - Rural Justice Initiative, South/SW, TX

Disability Rights Texas•San Antonio, TX

About The Position

The Community Navigator is a project-funded position supporting Disability Rights Texas’ participation in the Rural Justice Initiative (RJI), a five-year, multiregional effort to expand civil legal-service access for low-income Texans with disabilities in designated rural and legal-desert communities. The position is time-limited and continued employment depends on the continuation of the project, available project funding, and organizational need. Assigned to South Texas, the Navigator develops and carries out regional community engagement and outreach to increase access to DRTx services. The role identifies barriers to accessing services, builds relationships with trusted local partners, shares information, makes referrals, helps clients navigate community resources, and represents DRTx at local and state events. Under a Supervising Attorney’s direction, the Navigator may also provide non-litigation legal support and short-term case work. The position requires a regular, meaningful local presence in the assigned service area, including residence within or sufficiently near one of the listed counties: Kinney, Atascosa, Duval, Brooks, Zapata, Zavala, Frio, Kleberg, Starr, Medina, La Salle, Jim Hogg, or Willacy. The Navigator must be reasonably available for in-person outreach, legal clinics, partner meetings, and other project activities. The role involves substantial travel throughout rural Texas and work across settings such as offices, courthouses, schools, libraries, clinics, community organizations, and community events. 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 demonstrating success working with people with disabilities; or four years of experience working with people 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 as part of a team.
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 the state.
Ability to work evenings and weekends when required.
Effective communication skills and the ability to enter complete, thorough, and accurate data promptly.
Knowledge of disability issues and current events affecting people with disabilities.
Willingness to take direction and independently follow instructions accurately and on time.
Ability to manage workload and deliver services appropriately and on time.
Time-management, multitasking, prioritization, and deadline-management skills, including under challenging conditions.
Ability to follow complex directions, conduct research, and apply findings effectively.
Strong interpersonal, relationship-building, and collaboration skills, including the flexibility to influence without direct authority.
Strong attention to detail, follow-up, and organizational skills.
Functional knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint.
Commitment to service excellence and high integrity, ethics, and judgment.
Experience using 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.
Spanish proficiency in speaking and writing, as required for the position.
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.

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 may generate DRTx referrals and improve access to legal services, including information distribution, presentations, organizational education, and event attendance.
Collaborate with RJI partner organizations, staff, Community Justice Workers, community navigators, intake personnel, pro bono attorneys, and other project personnel; make appropriate referrals to partner organizations.
Research regional and local community needs, legal-service gaps, accessibility barriers, referral networks, and trends among community-based organizations to inform priorities and engagement strategies.
Record outreach and engagement data accurately 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 outreach and educational materials in collaboration with substantive issue teams and the Outreach Manager.
Identify and navigate available community resources for clients and make referrals for wrap-around services.
Communicate respectfully and appropriately with clients and community members, including in challenging situations involving rights violations or other sensitive 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 RJI applicant eligibility, case priorities, funding sources, and levels of service.
Follow DRTx client-services policies and procedures for interviews, case records, and documentation.
Communicate relevant information clearly to clients, colleagues, stakeholders, and other necessary parties.
When assigned case work, identify and develop strategies for short-term cases 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 relevant regulations, policies, laws, and issues.
Use case-management software appropriately, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple responsibilities on time.
Establish personal credibility with the organization, clients, and other parties of interest.
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 RJI.