Career opportunity: advocate (temporary)
Agency Description:
Disability Rights North Carolina (DRNC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is the only organization that provides free legal advocacy services to people with all types of disabilities, of all ages, throughout North Carolina. We are NC’s designated Protection and Advocacy organization and recognized leader in advancing disability rights, with a strong staff and supportive, dynamic work environment. DRNC is committed to building race equity into our internal and external work. DRNC is well established and positioned for growth. Learn more about DRNC at www.disabilityrightsnc.org.
Job Description:
This is a temporary, full-time position created through a grant with the State of North Carolina, Department of Public Safety, and Governor’s Crime Commission. The grant period is for one (1) year with an option for a 6-12 month extension, and possibility of continued funding.
This Advocate position is focused on monitoring and investigating assigned public schools according to DRNC’s monitoring protocol, to prevent and detect instances of abuse or neglect, and address such incidents with appropriate follow-up action.
The Advocate will conduct school facility monitoring activities to protect the health, welfare, and safety of students with disabilities, and advocate to protect them and their rights. The Advocate will conduct individual and systemic investigations, and share responsibility with other legal advocacy staff for the provision of technical assistance, consultation, outreach and training to clients, school staff, and other stakeholders.
The Advocate must demonstrate the following core values: relentless pursuit of results, respect and humility, personal responsibility, positive outlook, problem solving, effective communication, organization, confidentiality, good judgment, and effective internal and external relationships.
Job Duties include successfully:
- Monitor facilities according to DRNC protocol and in collaboration with other DRNC staff, to prevent, detect and address incidents of abuse and neglect
- Collaborate with DRNC staff in the development of systemic activities as appropriate
- Provide information and short-term assistance to DRNC clients, which includes writing letters and memoranda
- Prepare written materials and conduct activities for the education and training of clients, professionals, and others
- Collaborate with law enforcement investigations as appropriate
- Maintain familiarity with statutes and regulations governing the facility being monitored, including special education requirements
- Compile information and prepare program activity reports for funding sources
- Maintain complete and accurate records in DRNC’s case management system, consistent with agency policies and procedures
- Perform other duties as assigned
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in one of the following areas: sociology, psychology, social work, special education or other related human services field and a minimum of three years of experience working in a disability related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Effective communication skills sufficient to communicate with clients, advocates and others regarding complex factual situations and provide responsive information
- Direct experience with or general knowledge of services and issues affecting individuals with disabilities or direct experience in providing information and referral or advocacy services in the public interest
- Ability to organize and prioritize complex tasks
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- Experience working with people with disabilities strongly preferred
Desirable qualifications:
- Life experience with disability
- Experience working children with disabilities, including behavioral health disabilities
- Experience in legal services, nonprofit or public interest environments
- Ability to communicate in ASL, Spanish or another non-English language
- Understanding of trauma and its prevalence among people with disabilities, valuing and using trauma-informed approaches
Essential Functions
- Travel, including occasional overnight
- Occasional weekend and/or long work hours
- Engage appropriately with others, both internally and externally
- Communicate effectively and expressively, orally and in writing
- Identify facts and develop creative solutions
- Interact with people with disabilities where they live, work or go to school
- Work collaboratively, collegially, and cooperatively across teams, units, and departments
- Exercise sound judgment in the field regarding access authority and instances of abuse, neglect and exploitation
DRNC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in any aspect of employment with regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran’s status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. Individuals who increase the diversity of our team are especially encouraged to apply. We participate in E-verify.
This is a temporary, full-time position created through a grant with the State of North Carolina, Department of Public Safety, Governor’s Crime Commission. The grant period is for one (1) year with an option for up to another year.
Compensation Package that is competitive with other non-profits: The hiring range is $20.43-$30.05/per hour, depending on experience. DRNC offers excellent benefits which include 100% employer-paid health, dental, vision, life and disability as well as generous paid time off and retirement plan with an employer match.
Send a detailed letter of interest explaining your qualifications and interest in the position and resume to: resumes.hr@disabilityrightsnc.org. Include GCC Advocate in the subject line of the email. No phone calls please.
Closing Date: Position will remain open until filled.