Advocate, Education - Rural Justice Initiative, South/SW, TX

Disability Rights Texas•San Antonio, TX

About The Position

The Rural Justice Initiative Advocate - Education is a project-funded, time-limited position supporting Disability Rights Texas’ participation in the five-year Rural Justice Initiative, a collaborative effort to expand access to civil legal services for low-income Texans with disabilities in designated rural communities and legal-desert counties. Continued employment depends on continuation of the project, available grant funding, and organizational need; the role is not intended to be permanent beyond the project or its funding. The Advocate provides advocacy services to individuals with disabilities, including conducting interviews, investigating complaints, monitoring facilities, determining eligibility, reviewing records, and providing non-litigation case support. The role includes managing a caseload, documenting cases, and supporting clients through advocacy, negotiation, mediation, and service coordination under attorney supervision. The Advocate also drafts letters, complaints, and case notes and contributes to outreach and education activities. The position is assigned to the South, Texas region. The employee must live within or sufficiently near the designated service area to maintain a regular local presence and be reasonably available for in-person outreach, legal clinics, partner meetings, and other project activities. Regular travel throughout rural Texas is required. The Advocate works under the direction of an Advocate Supervisor.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Education, Psychology, Rehabilitation Counseling, Disability Studies, Social Services, or a related field, plus two years of relevant experience working with individuals with disabilities; alternatively, four years of equivalent related experience.
One year of experience in a field related to outreach work involving a variety of social service programs.
Familiarity with special education services and procedures and ability to quickly develop mastery of this knowledge.
Knowledge of laws, regulations, and programs affecting individuals with disabilities, or ability to acquire this knowledge within a reasonable period.
Ability to analyze information, identify issues, and support development of effective solutions.
Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences using varied communication methods, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic work environment.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow-through.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and with case management systems.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Must reside 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 where public transportation and other transportation options may be limited, 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, public benefits, or other civil legal services.
Existing professional or community ties to the assigned RJI service area.
Experience in advocacy, legal services, or disability-related programs.
Experience delivering presentations or conducting community outreach.
Familiarity with public systems and laws affecting individuals with disabilities that are relevant to the RJI.
Spanish bilingual proficiency, written and spoken, as required for the position.

Responsibilities

Conduct client interviews and gather information to assess eligibility, case priority, and service needs.
Monitor facilities.
Investigate complaints and analyze facts to identify legal and advocacy issues.
Develop and implement case strategies in collaboration with the RJI team.
Manage an assigned caseload, including documentation, follow-up, and case coordination.
Maintain contact with clients in accordance with client policies and procedures.
Communicate with clients, staff, and external stakeholders regarding case status and advocacy efforts.
Maintain accurate, timely, and thorough documentation in case management systems.
Provide advocacy support, including negotiation, mediation, and service coordination under attorney supervision.
Provide information, referrals, and short-term assistance to individuals not receiving extended services under attorney supervision.
Develop and deliver outreach and training presentations to individuals, families, and community partners in accordance with RJI priorities.
Apply relevant laws, regulations, policies, and program requirements in service delivery under attorney supervision.
Prioritize workload and manage multiple responsibilities to meet deadlines and service expectations.
Collaborate with RJI team members and other departments to support effective service delivery.
Participate in ongoing training and professional development related to disability rights and related issues.
Draft letters, complaints, and case notes.
Perform other job-related duties consistent with the position’s scope and the purposes of the Rural Justice Initiative.