Community Navigator - Rural Justice Initiative, North/NW, TX

Disability Rights Texas•Plainview, TX

17h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Community Navigator is a project-funded position supporting Disability Rights Texas’ participation in the five-year Rural Justice Initiative (RJI), a multiregional effort to expand access to civil legal services for low-income Texans with disabilities in designated rural and legal-desert communities. The position serves the North/NW Texas region and requires the employee to live within or sufficiently near the designated service area to maintain a regular, meaningful local presence. The Navigator must be reasonably available for in-person outreach, legal clinics, partner meetings, and other activities throughout the service area. The Navigator develops and carries out regionally targeted community engagement and outreach to expand access to DRTx services. This includes identifying barriers to accessing services, building relationships with trusted local partners, sharing accurate information, making appropriate referrals, helping clients navigate community resources, and representing DRTx at local and state events. In collaboration with RJI staff and the Outreach Manager, the Navigator implements a community engagement plan and supports outreach materials, community education, partnerships, and grant reporting. Under a Supervising Attorney’s direction, the Navigator may also provide non-litigation legal support and short-term case work. This is a time-limited position funded specifically through RJI project grant funds. Continued employment depends on the continuation of the project, the availability of funding, and organizational needs; the role is not intended to be permanent beyond the project or its available funding. Duties and geographic assignments may be modified to meet project and organizational requirements.

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 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 the state.
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.
Ability to take direction and independently follow through on instructions accurately and promptly.
Ability to manage an individual workload and deliver services appropriately and on time.
Time-management, multitasking, prioritization, organizational, and deadline-management skills, including the ability to work 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 manage by influence.
Attention to detail and strong follow-up skills.
Functional knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint.
Commitment to service excellence, integrity, ethics, and sound judgment.
Experience working with computers, 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 public 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 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 in written and spoken communication, 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 may generate referrals and expand access to legal services, including information distribution, presentations, organizational education, and attendance at community events.
Collaborate with RJI partner organizations, DRTx staff, Community Justice Workers, other 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, community organizations, trends, and issues to inform engagement priorities and strategies.
Accurately record outreach and community engagement data and support RJI grant reporting according to project standards and procedures.
Plan, organize, and conduct 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 resources for client services 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 document preliminary information from people seeking assistance and provide approved, accurate information, materials, or referrals.
Clearly communicate RJI applicant eligibility, case priorities, funding sources, and service levels.
Follow client-services policies and procedures for interviews, case records, and documentation.
Communicate relevant information clearly to clients, colleagues, stakeholders, and other necessary parties.
When applicable, identify and develop short-term case strategies within the parameters set by the Supervising Attorney.
Complete required letters, documentation, and correspondence accurately and promptly.
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 in a timely manner.
Establish personal credibility within the organization and with clients and 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 RJI.