Policy Specialist - Rural Justice Initiative

Disability Rights Texas•Austin, TX

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Disability Rights Texas is recruiting a full-time, exempt, union-eligible Policy Specialist for its Rural Justice Initiative (RJI), based in Austin, Texas. The project-funded position supports a collaborative effort to expand access to civil legal services for low-income Texans in designated rural communities and legal-desert counties. Continued employment depends on the duration and availability of RJI funding. The position reports directly to the Supervising Attorney of Education. The Policy Specialist serves as a subject-matter expert on assigned policy issues and leads and supports policy advocacy to protect and advance the legal and civil rights of people with disabilities, with a rural justice focus. The role researches and analyzes policy, monitors legislative, regulatory, and administrative developments, develops reports and other communications, and provides training and technical assistance to staff and external stakeholders. The Specialist works with DRTx teams and community partners to identify policy priorities and coordinate policy activities with organizational priorities and other advocacy strategies. The position represents DRTx before policymakers, governmental agencies, advisory bodies, community organizations, coalitions, and other stakeholders. It develops and maintains collaborative relationships with organizations, agencies, legislators, public officials, and partners involved in disability rights advocacy. The Specialist also supports planning, grant and program reporting, outreach, and other policy-related activities, and may assist with additional subject-matter areas based on RJI needs. Work includes research and analysis of laws, regulations, policies, and emerging issues; identifying systemic barriers and developing recommendations; translating community-identified needs and service data into policy priorities; monitoring and analyzing governmental activity; preparing accessible policy materials; delivering training and technical assistance; engaging stakeholders; and contributing to planning, reporting, and organizational collaboration. The position regularly uses computers, telephones, videoconferencing systems, case-management systems, and other communication tools for research, documentation, client communication, and collaboration with geographically dispersed colleagues. Duties may be performed seated, standing, or in an alternative position. Work may take place in DRTx or partner offices, courthouses, administrative hearing locations, schools, libraries, community organizations, clinics, community events, and other locations in rural communities. The role requires travel throughout the assigned service area, managing multiple priorities and deadlines, and engaging in complex or sensitive legal matters. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Government, Education, Disability Studies, Social Services, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
At least seven years of relevant public policy, legislative, governmental, regulatory, advocacy, or closely related professional experience, including demonstrated experience with disability-related issues.
Relevant advanced education and directly related fellowship or internship experience may count toward a portion of the experience requirement; candidates must still demonstrate sufficient directly relevant professional experience to perform the essential functions independently.
Ability to research, analyze, interpret, and communicate complex policy, legislative, regulatory, and legal information.
Strong professional writing skills and ability to communicate complex issues clearly, accurately, and concisely to varied audiences.
Effective verbal, written, presentation, electronic, and other communication skills.
Experience developing and delivering presentations, training, policy briefings, public testimony, or similar communications to varied audiences.
Interpersonal, relationship-building, collaboration, and negotiation skills, including the ability to influence outcomes through expertise, communication, and consensus building.
Experience working with governmental entities, policymakers, regulatory agencies, legislative bodies, or similar public-sector organizations.
Working knowledge of complex state and federal laws, regulations, rights-protection statutes, public programs, or other relevant legal and policy frameworks.
Knowledge of policy issues, programs, initiatives, and legal protections affecting people with disabilities.
Ability to develop and implement effective policy or advocacy strategies.
Ability to organize and prioritize multiple assignments, manage competing deadlines, maintain attention to detail, and adapt to changing priorities.
Ability to independently manage responsibilities and complete services, projects, reports, and other work products accurately and on time.
Ability to lead, mentor, train, or provide technical assistance to others.
Ability to travel to locations necessary to perform the position’s essential functions, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications and other technology needed for research, document and presentation preparation, information analysis and organization, communication, and collaboration.

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.
Lived, professional, advocacy, peer-support, or other meaningful experience with the Texas mental health system, disability service systems, or programs affecting people with disabilities.
Experience working with or supporting people with disabilities and/or disability advocacy organizations.
Experience with data analysis, data visualization, or policy-related quantitative analysis.
Proficiency with analytical or geographic information systems tools such as R and GIS.
Experience with Texas legislative, regulatory, or administrative processes.
Spanish bilingual proficiency in written and spoken communication, as required for the position.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain advanced subject-matter knowledge of assigned policy areas, including relevant laws, regulations, administrative policies, programs, and emerging developments.
Assess systemic barriers identified through RJI service delivery and community engagement, and prepare periodic regional policy issue summaries.
Provide policy-related technical assistance and serve as an internal subject-matter resource for the RJI Initiative.
Identify policy issues, trends, barriers, and opportunities affecting people with disabilities and recommend policy strategies and priorities.
Research and analyze complex legal, legislative, regulatory, programmatic, and policy information and translate it into actionable information.
Write policy briefs and administrative advocacy materials connected to approved project priorities.
Review relevant publications, legislative and administrative materials, reports, and other sources, and communicate pertinent developments to stakeholders.
Monitor implementation of and compliance with relevant federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and programs.
Collaborate with the RJI team on annual assessments of systemic advocacy outcomes at community and state levels.
Monitor legislative, regulatory, and administrative activity and evaluate potential impacts on people with disabilities and DRTx priorities.
Track legislation and governmental policy initiatives and provide timely analysis to DRTx staff and stakeholders.
Attend hearings, meetings, administrative proceedings, and other policy activities to monitor developments, gather information, and represent DRTx.
Educate policymakers, governmental officials, agencies, and stakeholders about the potential impact of proposed legislation, regulations, policies, and administrative actions.
Develop and present public statements, policy positions, testimony, comments, briefings, and other communications consistent with DRTx priorities and direction.
Respond to appropriate requests for policy information, technical assistance, and subject-matter expertise.
Develop clear, accurate, and accessible policy reports, briefs, analyses, testimony, presentations, correspondence, educational materials, and other written communications.
Coordinate the collection, development, and distribution of policy information for internal and external audiences.
Ensure policy training materials and public information accurately reflect applicable laws, regulations, and DRTx policy positions.
Contribute subject-matter information and analysis to organizational, grant, and program reports, communications, and publications.
Develop and deliver education, training, presentations, briefings, and technical assistance regarding DRTx RJI services and relevant policy matters.
Present complex policy and legal information in a manner appropriate to audiences such as employees, advocates, policymakers, public officials, boards, advisory councils, community organizations, service providers, professionals, and the public.
Develop and maintain working relationships with advocacy and disability organizations, advocates, governmental agencies, policymakers, public officials, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
Represent DRTx and participate in workgroups, advisory boards, task forces, committees, coalitions, conferences, and similar activities.
Facilitate collaboration among stakeholders and disability organizations on policy issues and advocacy priorities.
Communicate DRTx policy priorities and activities and respond appropriately to requests for information and expertise.
Develop and periodically update written policy plans consistent with RJI priorities and supervision.
Coordinate and contribute to annual planning and reporting for assigned programs and organizational priorities.
Participate in organizational strategic planning and implementation activities as appropriate.
Coordinate policy, training, outreach, communications, and advocacy activities with the RJI team and DRTx employees.
Contribute to outreach activities related to assigned policy areas.
Maintain accurate, thorough, and timely records of work activities and other required information.
Manage responsibilities and projects to ensure work is completed accurately and by established deadlines.
Perform other job-related duties consistent with the scope and level of the position and the purposes of RJI.