Director/Manager of Client Access and Self Advocacy Assistance

Disability Rights New Jersey Director/Manager of Client Access and Self Advocacy Assistance Disability Rights New Jersey seeks a full-time attorney as Director or Manager of our Client Access and Self-Advocacy […]

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Disability Rights New Jersey

Director/Manager of Client Access and Self Advocacy Assistance

Disability Rights New Jersey seeks a full-time attorney as Director or Manager of our Client Access and Self-Advocacy Assistance Team under the supervision of the Legal Director/Executive Director.

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

The Client Access and Self Advocacy Assistance Team is the heart of NJ’s protection and advocacy agency: most clients are served through this team which delivers information and referral, assists with navigation of complex state systems that provide services to people with disabilities (e.g., Medicaid, DDD, VR agencies), provide legal advice and counsel through self-advocacy assistance, and directs potential new investigation complaints and requests for legal representation to the Investigation and Monitory Team and Legal Team.

The Client Access and Self Advocacy Assistance Team is knowledgeable about all areas of disability and civil rights laws where it delivers short-term legal advice as well as information and referral.

For the first time, we are seeking an attorney for this position who can understand the complexities of a protection and advocacy agency and work with current staff to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of an agency that receives significant new reports of abuse and neglect, and requests for legal assistance.

• This position requires a law degree from an accredited college, as well as membership in the NJ Bar within one (1) year of hire date.
• · For the Director of Client Access and Self Advocacy Assistance, at least 10 years of legal experience in disability or other public interest law as well as at least 5 years of supervisory experience is required, with some experience practicing special education law preferred. The salary for this position is $110,000, depending on experience, as well as a generous benefits package.
• · For the Manager of Client Access and Self Advocacy Assistance, at least 7 years of legal experience in disability or other public interest law as well as at least 2 years of supervisory experience is required, with some experience practicing special education law preferred. The salary for this position is $102,000, depending on experience, as well as a generous benefits package.
• This candidate must also be able to obtain and maintain any necessary federal security clearances required by federal funders.

Responsibilities

• Manages the Client Access and Self Advocacy Assistance Team and provides oversight to all its functions.
• Responds to, coordinates, and ensures timely response to all requests for service, including by telephone, e-mail, web-based, letter and in-person.
• Oversees DRNJ’s case management system and reports to determine timely case assignments and fulfilment.
• Develops library of information and referral resources, self-advocacy models including written self-advocacy materials.
• Works with Legal Team and Investigation and Monitoring Team to identify and provide I&R/technical assistance on brief services issues outside of the scope of DRNJ goals and objectives.
• Interviews callers to determine caller objective and disposition.
• Provides identified I&R/TA or self-advocacy assistance as determined by priorities: goals and objectives and operationalized by Legal Team and I&M Team work plans.
• Consults with Legal Team and I&M Team staff as appropriate and necessary.
• Supervises and trains Client Access and Self-Advocacy Assistance Team staff, including on yearly goals and objectives, non-priority information and referral, statistics and data collection on DAD.
• Evaluates staff performance.
• Maintains intake records and files in accordance with agency policy and procedures, including DRNJ’s case management system.
• Compiles statistical data on intake quarterly and annual or as otherwise requested.
• Tracks and reports on emerging issues.
• Participates in outreach, education and training and technical assistance activities.
• Participates in staff training and development activities and attends staff meetings.
• Participates in outside meetings, advisory groups and task forces as necessary.

KNOWLEDGE and ABILITIES

• Demonstrates excellent communication skills, oral and written, including proficiency in English, proficiency in Spanish desirable.
• Knowledge of and ability to use computer software systems.
• Knowledge of disability, social, health and human services and other community resources.
• Understanding of and ability to perform managerial role and functions.
• Ability to function as part of management team.
• Ability to cope with complex and emotional contacts with clients and empathize with them.
• Ability to interact with and maintain positive and constructive interpersonal relationships with co-workers, supervisors, clients, families and the public.
• Ability to maintain records and organize and complete assigned tasks.
• Ability to understand and comply with agency policies and procedures.
• Ability to obtain and maintain any federal security clearances required by federal funders.
• Ability to understand and relate to culturally diverse communities.

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.

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Disability Rights New Jersey