Advocate - Community Integration & Healthcare Team

Disability Rights Texas • Houston, TX

111d • Onsite

About The Position

Disability Rights Texas is recruiting a Team Advocate for its Community Integration & Healthcare Team, based in the Houston office. The position provides advocacy services to individuals with disabilities, including investigating complaints, monitoring facilities, determining eligibility for services, and providing non-litigation case support. The Team Advocate works as part of an interdisciplinary Issue Team under the administrative supervision of an Advocate Supervisor and coordinates with assigned attorneys, who provide legal guidance and case direction.

The role involves conducting client interviews, monitoring facilities, reviewing records, supporting clients through advocacy and negotiation, and drafting letters, complaints, and case notes. It also contributes to outreach and education activities aligned with the Issue Team’s priorities. Duties require use of computers, telephones, and other communication tools; work may be performed seated, standing, or in an alternative position. The position involves managing competing priorities and deadlines and interacting with people in complex or challenging circumstances. Travel within Texas may be required based on program needs, approximately up to 40%. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Education, Psychology, Rehabilitation Counseling, Disability Studies, Social Services, or a related field and two years of relevant experience working with individuals with disabilities; or four years of equivalent related experience.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, and programs affecting individuals with disabilities, or ability to acquire that knowledge within a reasonable period of time.
• Ability to analyze information, identify issues, and support the development of effective solutions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences using a variety of 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 environment.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow-through.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and case management systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Spanish bilingual proficiency, written and spoken, as required for this position.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in advocacy, legal services, or disability-related programs, including Home and Community-based Medicaid waiver programs.
• Experience delivering presentations or conducting community outreach.
• Familiarity with public systems and laws impacting individuals with disabilities relevant to the Issue Team.

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 supervising attorneys.
• 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 about case status and advocacy efforts.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and thorough documentation in case management systems.
• Provide advocacy support, including negotiation, mediation, and coordination of services under attorney supervision.
• Deliver 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 Issue Team 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 team members and other departments to support effective service delivery.
• Participate in ongoing training and professional development to maintain knowledge of disability rights and related issues.
• Draft letters, complaints, and case notes competently.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned, consistent with the scope and level of the position.

Benefits

• Personal leave days, vacation hours, and sick leave.
• Paid winter break.
• Flexible schedules.
• 401(k) plan with a 7% employer contribution, whether or not the employee contributes.
• Health care plans with little to no cost when choosing employee-only coverage.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time