Staff Attorney in Family Care IRIS Ombudsman Program & Supplemental Security Income

Disability Rights Wisconsin

161d•$58,140•Hybrid

About The Position

Disability Rights Wisconsin’s Ombudsman and External Advocacy Program (OEAP) is a team of two subprograms that provide advocacy and ombudsman services to those enrolled in certain Medicaid programs in Wisconsin. This position is part of the Supplemental Security Income Managed Care External Advocacy Project (SSI-MC EAP) and provides assistance to SSI HMO enrollees statewide. The staff attorney works independently under the supervision of the Managing Attorney and Supervising Attorney(s). The staff attorney supports and provides legal guidance to the advocates as they collect case information, investigate complaints, and provide information, guidance, self-advocacy support, consultation, and referrals. The staff attorney works collaboratively, through negotiation and mediation, to resolve enrollee problems and provide assistance and/or direct representation on complaints, grievances, appeals, and state fair hearings. The staff attorney is cross-trained in Family Care and the IRIS Ombudsman Program (FCIOP) to support the supervising attorneys in that program. The staff attorney provides outreach and training on SSI-MC-related topics to various stakeholders.

Requirements

Law degree and member of (or eligible for admission to) the Wisconsin Bar within the next 60 days.
Demonstrated ability, skill, or experience with individual cases, which could include handling investigation, negotiation, mediation skills, representation and case file maintenance.
Experience working with people of culturally diverse backgrounds.
Proven ability to communicate effectively with clients and/or internal and external entities, including excellent listening, verbal, and professional written communication skills.
Computer skills include email, word processing, and use of the internet, and using Microsoft Edge, Teams, SharePoint, and Outlook.
Ability to work independently, and as part of a team, and manage your own workload, which includes prioritizing work and multitasking multiple cases simultaneously.

Nice To Haves

Experience or direct contact with persons with a disability or social justice movements, either in a paid or unpaid capacity.
Knowledge and skill in areas of law directly relevant to programs (SSI HMO, Family Care, Partnership, and IRIS) or relevant to individuals in Wisconsin’s disability-related services/legal rights, residential, prevention of abuse and neglect systems, including community-based mental health programs and adult protective services.
Experience working with advocates and providing legal and case management support.
Ability to write or speak Spanish, Hmong, or American Sign Language, as well as English, is desired.
Paid or volunteer experience dealing directly with clients or customers on the phone.
Personal or professional advocacy experience, which may include providing outreach, training, and/or technical assistance.

Responsibilities

Case Work – 75%
Provide intake and casework oversight. Be available for unscheduled consultation. Ensure the call log and cases maintain steady progress, the case strategy is appropriate, and clients receive regular communication from advocates. Ensure cases close in a timely manner. Keep organized records of reviews.
Meet regularly and work collaboratively with FCIOP attorneys to discuss intake, advocates cases, case strategy, and potential appeals and/or fair hearings, identify trends and advocate training needs.
Provide legal research and legal backup as appropriate, including but not limited to assistance to advocates or clients in the appeal/fair hearing process.
Draft appropriate legal briefs, memoranda, and correspondence
Provide guidance and negotiate – 20%
Coordinate with the FCIOP attorneys regarding administrative hearing work. This will include:
providing fair hearing technical assistance and legal backup to advocates and ombudsmen when needed.
providing direct representation.
assisting advocates in strategizing and preparing documentation for appeals and fair hearings.
assisting advocates in providing technical assistance to clients who are representing themselves.
Written support and representation – 5%
Utilize data tools to maintain accurate records of case progress.
Technical assistance and representation at administrative hearings.
Documentation for grievances and appeals.
General Responsibilities
Adhere to all Disability Rights Wisconsin policies and procedures including but not limited to work hours; timesheets; file maintenance; confidentiality and security.
Participate in Disability Rights Wisconsin activities such as all-staff meetings and committees.
May be other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Generous employer contribution for individual and family health insurance, plus a Health Reimbursement Account for uncovered health care costs.
Employer-provided Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Contribution
Flex Spending Account
Access to affordable, quality:
Dental, Vision Coverage
Additional Life Insurance for employee, spouse, and children
Critical Illness Insurance
Identity Theft
Pet Insurance
Public Student Loan Forgiveness:
Employment at our organization may qualify you for federal student loan forgiveness programs. We do not directly pay for, nor forgive, federal student loans. However, our status as a not-for-profit organization under Section 501 (c) (3) makes us an eligible employer. There may be other factors that determine one's qualification.
Generous paid time off policies include:
10 Fixed and 4 Floating Holidays
Sick and Personal Leave
Vacation Pay
Anniversary Pay
Volunteer and Voting Time off
Bereavement Leave
Additional benefits include the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Commuter Choice, and Sabbatical Leave.