Advocate- Equal Access Team
Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities (P&A) is a private, statewide nonprofit which protects and advocates to the legal, civil and human rights of people with disabilities. P&A believes that people with disabilities are people first, and are the primary decision makers in all areas of their life. Our goals include Safety and Protection, Community Integration, and Equal Access for people with disabilities. This position plays a vital role in achieving these goals.
An Advocate for P&A shall work under the general supervision of a Team Leader. This position is full time and classified as salaried-nonexempt from overtime pay under federal Department of Labor regulations.
Specific duties include, but are not limited to:
Directly protect the rights of, and advocate on behalf of, individuals with disabilities through provision of information and referral and direct advocacy services, maintaining an active caseload as assigned by Team Leader. Such caseload may include individual and/or systemic advocacy for people with developmental, mental or physical disabilities primarily in the area of education and community rights.
Advise Team Leader and/or appropriate legal personnel on policy issues and case problems/questions having legal implications.
Maintain accurate up-to-date client records in the prescribed format. This includes the timely completion of client narratives and documentation for required reports and electronic data entry.
Timely submit all internal P&A forms and records as required.
Assist Team Leader, as needed, in the development, implementation and monitoring of appropriate programs and goals.
Keep abreast of relevant developments in disability law, regulations and policies of state agencies.
Initiate and maintain contact with volunteer and consumer organizations, service providers, and other relevant groups and individuals at the direction of the Team Leader, acquiring a working knowledge of, and sensitivity to, minorities and residents of rural communities through information, training, and interaction with community leaders and organizations established in rural and minority communities.
Assist in training of staff, volunteers, interested citizens and professionals in areas relevant to the needs and rights of individuals with disabilities.
Advise Team Leader of training and technical assistance needs.
Other duties as requested.
Required Qualifications
Master’s degree from an accredited college in education, psychology, social work or a related field; or
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college and a minimum of three years’ relevant experience.
Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Commitment to the mission, vision and values of Protection & Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc. and to the civil rights of people with disabilities.
Ability to work with individuals from a variety of cultural backgrounds and a demonstrated understanding of the overall organization and relationships among and between service areas and teams.
Ability to coordinate case research and perform overall case management. Problem solving skills including the ability to influence, facilitate, mediate, negotiate and manage groups and individuals.
Ability to work both independently and in collaboration with others, maintain confidentiality; and to deal effectively with and negotiate through confrontational situations and stressful interactions.
Advanced knowledge of systems providing services to people with disabilities and disability laws and regulations.
Proficiency in oral and written communication, computer literacy.
Must be able to travel within the state. May be required to travel out-of-state for trainings or conferences.
The position will be in our Columbia location.
Deadline for applying: Friday, October 18, 2019
Please send resume and cover letter via mail, fax or e-mail to:
Lorie Boddie, Finance & Human Resource Manager at boddie@pandasc.org
No telephone calls please.
EOE. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.