Staff Advocate--Legal

Disability Rights New Jersey

Advocate-Legal

Disability Rights New Jersey seeks a full-time advocate under the supervision of the Supervising Advocate and Legal Director. Disability Rights New Jersey provides legal assistance to individuals with disabilities in New Jersey. This position will focus on the rights of people with disabilities who are enrolled in or seeking vocational rehabilitation services and rights related to beneficiaries of social security as well as promoting New Jersey’s commitment to Employment First.

Disability Rights New Jersey is the designated protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities in the diverse state of New Jersey, providing individual and systemic advocacy and legal representation, training, technical assistance, and outreach in order to protect legal, civil, and human rights.

The salary range for this position will be $55,000 to $59,200 for 0-3 years of experience.

As an advocate on the Legal Team, this candidate will represent individual clients through the Client Assistance Program, and will need to develop expertise under the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. This candidate will also present webinars and educational presentations, other public-facing work projects, and engage in systemic advocacy related to the employment rights of people with disabilities.  

Candidates with knowledge of the administrative procedures of the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI), Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS), and Social Security Administration (SSA) are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will have experience or a willingness to advocate in administrative proceedings under the supervision of an attorney. 

This candidate should have a strong commitment to public interest, and particularly a demonstrated interest in advocating for individuals with disabilities. This candidate should have strong writing and analytical skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. This candidate must also have the ability to obtain and maintain any necessary federal security clearances required by federal funders. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Assists Management staff in administrative duties including participation in federal and discretionary grant reporting.
• Handles requests for information in accordance with established procedures.
• Maintains case and other essential records and files, including DAD and other databases.
• Prepares standard letters, memos, forms, and documents. 
• Proofreads and properly formats correspondence and materials
• Advocates for individual clients, including issues pertaining to access to vocational rehabilitation services through DVRS and CBVI as well as barriers to employment for SSA beneficiaries. 
• Assists with developing strategies to advance the agency's goals and priorities as required under federal law. 
• Participate in collaborative projects with other DRNJ teams.
• Responds to requests for services, including completes intake information and client interviews.
• Maintains records and files in accordance with agency policy and procedures.
• Complete research and memos to support agency’s advocacy efforts both on behalf of individual clients and systemic projects.
• Represents clients in administrative fair hearings under supervision of attorney.
• Prepare self-advocacy and other outward-facing educational materials.
• Participate in and present relevant webinars and training.
• Participate in outreach initiatives and events.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Willingness and ability to travel statewide, with a valid driver’s license or other transportation.
• Knowledge and understanding of disability rights, laws, policies and issues or the ability and willingness to learn. 
• Ability to cope with complex and emotional interactions with clients and family members and empathize with them.
• Ability to analyze complex problems and develop creative and practical solutions. 
• Excellent written and oral communication, research, analytical skills. 
• Ability to present information in an accessible way. 
• Cultural competence: experience working with low-income, immigrant, or minority populations preferred. 
• Experience working in a legal public interest field. 
• Highly organized with excellent attention to detail. 
• Ability to obtain and maintain any federal security clearance required by federal funders.

Presently, Disability Rights NJ staff work under a hybrid schedule,  with some limited hours from home as work permits. Note:  additional in-office or fieldwork may be required initially.

Disability Rights New Jersey seeks candidates committed to diversity and to the rights of individuals with disabilities to full inclusion in society. Presently, Disability Rights New Jersey staff work under a hybrid, with some limited from home as work permits. All new hires will be on a three-month probationary period which will include additional in-office time and field visits. 

Disability Rights New Jersey is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Disability Rights New Jersey is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Interested applicants should email a resume and a letter of interest to:  Interview Committee, Disability Rights New Jersey at advocate@disabilityrightsnj.org.