Job Description
Position: Disability Rights Advocate OR Staff Attorney
Reports To: Supervising Attorney
Location: Hybrid – combination of remote and in-office work in Boston or Northampton
Wage Class: Non-exempt for Disability Rights Advocate; Exempt for Staff Attorney
Union Classification: Eligible
Starting Salary: Up to $69,000, depending upon level of experience.
Responsible For: The successful applicant can be an advocate or entry-level attorney who will engage in individual and systemic advocacy on behalf of individuals with disabilities. Specifically, the applicant will monitor facilities that provide care, treatment, and services for persons who have developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and other disabilities, and will conduct investigations in such facilities where there may be probable cause of abuse or neglect. The successful applicant will use the information gathered through monitoring and investigations to assist DLC in shaping and engaging in systemic advocacy. In addition, the successful applicant will work on distinct issues affecting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in facilities or in the community and provide individual advocacy, technical assistance, consultation, and outreach and training to clients, family members, and other advocacy organizations.
Specific Duties
Commensurate with the experience, education and qualifications of the successful applicant, the job duties shall include some or all of the following:
- Monitor conditions through onsite visits to community residences, long term care facilities, and other congregate settings that provide care, treatment, and services for persons with developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and other disabilities.
- Identify situations through monitoring and investigation that require further advocacy, investigation, or other services.
- Investigate complaints of abuse and neglect of individuals with disabilities by: reviewing relevant medical, other investigating agency, and service provider records; interviewing individuals with disabilities, family members and guardians, and service providers; and documenting investigative observations.
- Draft memoranda and investigative summaries, findings, and reports.
- Maintain an active caseload of individual cases, as assigned, involving issues such as human rights and civil rights violations, ISP appeals, discharge planning, community integration, supported employment, Medicaid services, and restraint and seclusion in schools.
- Analyze statutes, regulations, agency policies/procedures and proposed legislation.
- Develop and maintain thorough knowledge of appropriate community resources for clients.
- Provide short-term information and referral for persons with disabilities.
- Conduct outreach and develop and maintain effective working relationships with service providers, public and private organizations, other agencies, and the community at large, including unserved and underserved populations.
- Prepare training materials and deliver presentations, trainings, and workshops on subjects pertinent to persons with disabilities, their families, service providers and the community.
- Comply with agency policies and procedures concerning maintaining complete and accurate records of monitoring, investigation, and advocacy activities in DLC’s database and maintaining confidential records.
- Assist in the planning and development of DLC’s focus areas.
- Develop and implement case strategies; engage in negotiation, mediation and representation in administrative and judicial proceedings in consultation with the Director of Litigation and/or the Director of Advocacy (if an attorney)
- Perform any other duties, as assigned.
Required Attributes:
- Professionalism and sound ethical judgment.
- Ability to interact effectively with and be sensitive to the individualized needs of persons with disabilities.
- Ability to work efficiently, independently, and collaboratively.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage time spent conducting multiple tasks with long-term and short-term objectives.
- Ability to travel throughout the Commonwealth.
Other Desired Attributes:
- Ability to communicate effectively in ASL, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Mandarin, or another non-English language preferred.
- Experience working with people with developmental disabilities, including people with cognitive and intellectual disabilities, and their families and advocates.
- Experience conducting investigations.
How to Apply
Applications received by June 23, 2024 will be prioritized for consideration, then will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Interested applicants for this position must upload a cover letter and resume (with three references) through DLC’s website at https://www.dlc-ma.org/careers-at-dlc/disability-rights-advocate-or-staff-attorney/
When applying, mention you saw this opening listed on Disability Scoop.
