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Temporary (One Year) Advocate or Staff Attorney

Summary:              

This is a one year temporary position for an advocate or attorney to work exclusively with individuals with developmental disabilities living in facilities or in the community.

Areas of practice may include, but are not limited to: investigation of allegations of abuse and neglect; human rights issues; appropriate treatment; discharge planning; community integration; supported employment; and Medicaid services

Five or more years of disability advocacy experience preferred.

Responsible For:  

Representation of clients in individual cases, in addition to participating in monitoring, investigations, policy advocacy and impact litigation.  Shares responsibility with other staff for systemic advocacy, as well as for providing technical assistance, consultation, outreach and training to clients, family members, advocates, and service providers.

Essential functions: 

  1. Ability to travel to facilities and community based settings for outreach and advocacy.
  2. Ability to occasionally work long hours and/or weekends when necessary to adequately perform job duties.
  3. Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
  4. Ability to identify facts and analyze pertinent legal authority and develop creative solutions

Duties:  

  1. Provide individual advocacy assistance consistent with the Law Center’s priorities and selection criteria including the development and implementation of all phases of case strategies and activities in consultation with Team Leader and Litigation Director.
  2. Conduct outreach and monitoring visits to facilities and community settings. Report on and correct abuse and neglect of people with disabilities; draft investigation reports and corrective action plans.
  3. Provide information and short-term assistance to DLC clients, including writing letters.
  4. Prepare reports, articles and special projects, and participate when assigned to legislative and/or administrative advocacy.
  5. Prepare written materials and conduct activities for the education and training of consumers, professional and others consistent with the Law Center’s priorities.
  6. Participate in outreach activities to un-served and underserved populations.
  7. Develop staff training programs in substantive issues including updating staff on current status of abuse and neglect issues in facilities serving people with developmental disabilities. 
  8. Collaborate with senior attorneys and the Litigation Director in the development of systemic activities as appropriate.
  9. Assist in the planning and development of the agency’s program priorities.
  10. Compile information and prepare activity reports.
  11. May serve as a contact for media and may make public speaking appearances on behalf of the Law Center regarding its activities in consultation with the Executive Director or Director of Litigation.

Qualifications:

  1. Either Juris Doctor degree or Master’s Degree in Human Services preferred
  2. Experience working with adults with developmental disabilities as well as the DDS service system.
  3. Experience in disability advocacy and/or investigations work preferred.

Desired Attributes:

  1. Demonstrated interest in disability law policy and experience working with and/or sensitivity to people with disabilities.
  2. Demonstrated commitment to the civil rights of all people.
  3. Experience working with people with developmental disabilities, including people with cognitive and intellectual disabilities, and their families and advocates  preferred.
  4. Experience in working with a Protection and Advocacy (“P&A”) system or legal service program preferred.
  5. Experience in working with people with disabilities in hospitals, ICF-MRs, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, prisons and/or jails preferred.
  6. Working familiarity with Department of Mental Health and Department of Developmental Disabilities eligibility issues preferred.
  7. Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize complex tasks.
  8. Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
  9. Demonstrated ability to work with a minimum of supervision.
  10. Familiarity in using computers for word processing, case management, data collection and communication.
  11. Demonstrated ability to speak another language in addition to English.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must submit the following materials in Microsoft Word format to careers@dlc-ma.org:

  • A Cover Letter, which must indicate:

your personal and professional motivation for seeking this position, and

a discussion of how you meet each of the minimum and any of the desirable qualifications for this position;

  • A Resume, including three (3) references;
  • A Sample of Professional Written Work, consisting of no more than 5 pages.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Position closed when filled.   Applications received by Friday September 9, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. will be given full consideration.

DLC is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates with disabilities, women and individuals from diverse communities to apply.

The Disability Law Center is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, ethnic origin, gender identity, race, religion,  sex, or sexual orientation.