Policy Specialist - Rural Justice Initiative

Disability Rights Texas•Austin, TX

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Disability Rights Texas is hiring a Policy Specialist for its Rural Justice Initiative (RJI), a collaborative project intended to expand access to civil legal services for low-income Texans in designated rural communities and legal-desert counties. Based in Austin, Texas, this full-time, exempt, union-eligible position is funded through the RJI; continued employment depends on the duration and availability of project funding. The Policy Specialist reports directly to the Supervising Attorney of Education. The Policy Specialist serves as a subject-matter expert and leads and supports policy advocacy that protects and advances 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, and produces reports, testimony, educational materials, and other communications. It also provides training and technical assistance to DRTx staff and external stakeholders, coordinates policy activities with organizational priorities, represents DRTx with policymakers and community partners, and supports planning, grant and program reporting, and other policy-related work. The position works with RJI staff and stakeholders to translate community-identified needs and service data into policy priorities and advocacy strategies. It identifies systemic barriers affecting access to education, disability-related services, and legal protections; develops policy recommendations; and evaluates trends, resource gaps, and opportunities for systemic advocacy. The role may also assist with additional subject-matter areas based on RJI programmatic needs. The work involves regular use of computers, telephones, videoconferencing systems, case-management systems, and other communication tools. Duties may be performed seated, standing, or in an alternative position. Work locations may include DRTx or partner offices, courthouses, administrative hearing locations, schools, libraries, community organizations, clinics, community events, and other rural-community settings. The role requires travel throughout the assigned service area, management of multiple priorities and deadlines, and engagement with 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.
Sufficient directly relevant professional experience to independently perform the position’s essential policy advocacy functions; advanced education and directly related fellowship or internship experience may count toward part of the experience requirement.
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, or 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 ability to build productive relationships and influence outcomes through collaboration, 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 essential functions, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Proficiency using 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, written and spoken, as required for the position.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain advanced subject-matter knowledge of assigned policy areas, including relevant laws, regulations, policies, programs, and emerging developments.
Research and analyze state and federal laws, regulations, policies, and issues affecting Texans with disabilities in rural and underserved communities.
Identify systemic barriers, trends, resource gaps, and opportunities affecting people with disabilities, and recommend policy strategies and priorities.
Translate community assessments, outreach, asset mapping, and legal-service information into policy priorities, recommendations, and advocacy strategies.
Monitor relevant legislative, regulatory, and administrative activity; track initiatives and assess potential impacts on people with disabilities and DRTx priorities.
Prepare policy briefs, issue summaries, talking points, reports, testimony, comments, presentations, educational materials, and other communications.
Attend hearings, meetings, administrative proceedings, and other policy activities to monitor developments, gather information, and represent DRTx.
Educate policymakers, public officials, agencies, and other stakeholders about the impacts of proposed legislation, regulations, policies, and administrative actions.
Provide policy-related technical assistance to RJI staff and respond to appropriate requests for policy information and expertise.
Develop and deliver training, presentations, briefings, and technical assistance about DRTx RJI services and relevant policy issues.
Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with advocacy organizations, disability organizations, governmental agencies, policymakers, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
Represent DRTx and participate in relevant workgroups, advisory boards, task forces, committees, coalitions, conferences, and similar activities.
Develop and periodically update written policy plans consistent with RJI priorities and supervision.
Contribute to annual planning, systemic advocacy assessments, grant and program reporting, organizational reports, and other publications.
Coordinate policy, training, outreach, communications, and advocacy activities with RJI staff and other DRTx employees.
Maintain accurate and timely work records and manage assigned projects and responsibilities to meet deadlines.
Perform other job-related duties consistent with the scope and purpose of the position.