Clients’ Rights Advocate
Imagine for a moment, a world where every single person feels equal to another and every person feels a sense of belonging in their communities, places of work and among others.
At Disability Rights Oregon, this is more than just a dream. This is our mission. We envision a world in which people with disabilities have equal opportunity, full participation in our communities, and the ability to exercise meaningful choice. Every day, we strive to make Oregon a more welcoming place for people with disabilities.
Disability Rights Oregon is seeking an Advocate for our Clients’ Rights Advocacy Program who thrives in a team environment and has the drive and determination to advocate for people with disabilities and their rights.
Working with Attorneys, the Advocate conducts investigations and performs direct advocacy services to people with disabilities. The Advocate will conduct intake meetings, gather information relevant to the case, and provide information to clients under supervision of an attorney. The Advocate will track the work of the team to ensure that we have accurate data and are ahead of the game with respect to deadlines.
What you can expect to accomplish:
Conduct intake and interviews with clients and family members remotely, in office, and in facilities to determine eligibility, identify issues, and provide information and referral. Summarize this information in the client database through written reports.
Maintain regular contact with attorneys regarding case activity.
Participate actively and appropriately in the zealous representation of clients and in client advocacy.
Provide brief legal research related to the issues facing people with disabilities.
Enter information into the client management system and assist in data collection and preparation of statistical reports as requested.
Participate in case review with team and formulate advocacy plan with team.
Provide training and technical assistance on disability rights and program services.
Participate in agency outreach.
Assist in development and production of agency publications to inform clients.
Represent DRO on committees and task forces related to the program, as assigned.
Participate in staff meetings, regularly scheduled team meetings and in organizational events, collaborate on cross team projects, and work to enhance the visibility of the organization and further the rights of individuals with disabilities.
Assist in training of DRO staff and volunteers in areas relevant to the needs and rights of individuals with disabilities.
Perform related, miscellaneous duties related to direct client services as assigned.
Perform other duties as may be required.
What we are looking for:
High School diploma or equivalent. Bachelor’s degree, preferred.
Prior paid advocacy experience, preferred.
Prior experience working in a legal setting. Paralegal certificate or prior paralegal experience, preferred.
Sufficient experience (typically 1-2 years of relevant experience) working with people with disabilities, people with mental illness, human services, or similar.
Demonstrated ability to prioritize and organize tasks.
Ability to obtain and process information and accurately present in both written and oral form.
Works collaboratively in a team environment.
Ability to pass criminal background check.
Valid Oregon Driver’s license and reliable transportation.
Excellent communication and social skills including the ability to handle situations patiently and tactfully. Ability to listen and respond in a diplomatic manner in person and over the telephone.
Ability to write reports and correspondence with clients. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Job requires specialized computer skills. Must be adept at using various applications including database, spreadsheet, report writing, project management, graphics, word processing, presentation creation/editing, communicate by e-mail, use scheduling software, Google Apps, Microsoft Office Suite, and PC operating systems. Effectively uses computer to research.
What we offer (besides a rewarding job!):
35 Hour Workweek is Full Time
Flexible cafeteria benefit plan to use for employer sponsored Medical and Dental insurance
14 paid holidays including floating holidays
Vacation time starting at 12 days in your first year (and going up to 16 day in your second year with continuous increases capping at 30 days per year)
15 days paid sick leave per year
Employer funded retirement account
Cafeteria/Flexible spending accounts
Competitive compensation
Employer paid life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and short-term disability insurance
Malpractice insurance
Paid professional development opportunities
Pay Equity
To ensure pay equity among our staff, DRO pays employees strictly based years of relevant experience. For this position, zero to five years of experience can expect a base salary between $36,050-$39,750, six to ten years between $40,550-$43,750, 11 to 15 years between $44,550-$48,150, and 16 to 20 years between $49,050-$52,950.
Where is this position located?
For a more experienced Advocate, this position may be fully remote from anywhere in Oregon. For a less experienced Advocate, this position is hybrid-eligible, with some work in our Portland, Oregon, office and some work from home. This position requires occasional travel within Oregon, and occasional overnight travel.
Interested?
We can’t wait to hear from you! For consideration, please apply online at https://www.droregon.org/employment-application. We are accepting applications on a rolling basis.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access
Disability Rights Oregon is committed to creating a diverse workforce to strengthen our organization and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. The individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, and talent that our employees invest in their work helps shape the culture here at Disability Rights Oregon. We strive to have a workforce that represents the communities we serve.
We strongly encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply. All employment decisions at Disability Rights Oregon are based on job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age (18 and over), veteran status, uniform service member status, unemployment status, sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender-related identity and gender expression), marital status, family status, or an individual having been a victim of sexual abuse, including domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking.
If you meet key qualifications for the job, and believe you would be the best fit, we would encourage you to apply; please use your cover letter to explain how you will accomplish parts of the job for which you have less experience. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of this position, please apply.
Bargaining Unit Position: Yes
