Staff Attorney/Clients’ Right Advocate 1 or 2 (Bilingual-English/Spanish)

Equitable and Inclusive Hiring

People with disabilities, people of color, people in all protected classes, and formerly incarcerated people are encouraged to apply. Make a difference! We fight for the rights of people that have disabilities.

About the Role

DRC is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - eligible employer. Disability Rights California (DRC) defends, advances, and strengthens the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities. DRC works for a world where all disabled people have power and are treated with dignity and respect. In this world, people with disabilities are supported, valued, included in their communities, afforded the same opportunities as people without disabilities, and make their own decisions.

Reasonable Accommodations

• American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation
• Alternative formats for interview materials (e.g., large print, Braille, digital files)
• Interview questions provided prior to the interview
• Extended interview time
• A quiet or distraction-free interview setting
• Adjustments to the interview format for accessibility (e.g., pinning participants)
• Assistance with reading or note-taking during interviews

Location

12501 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, California (HARBOR REGIONAL CENTER), eligible for hybrid schedule with minimum of 2 days/week in office

Employment Status

Exempt; Regular; Full time.

Salary Range

• $72,318 – $91,242 annually (CRA 1) Band 8
• $70,858 – $98,816 annually (CRA 2) Band 9

Benefits

• 8% 401k Match
• LRAP (Loan Repayment Assistance Program) that pays up to $300 per month depending on salary and debt
• Language differential up to $250/mo.
• Health (HMO and PPO options), dental, vision, basic life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance and flexible spending accounts (medical, dependent care and commuter).
• Ample vacation, sick/self-care time and eighteen paid holidays (including the last week in December)

Job Responsibilities

• Advocacy – 70%
• Supervision – 15%
• Outreach / Training – 15%

Qualifications

• Education and Experience:
• - Juris Doctor degree
• - Fluent in Spanish, including the ability to interpret and translate
• - Two or more years of experience:
  • Advocating for the rights of people with developmental disabilities
  • In a paid or volunteer position relating to regional center services, special education, or Social Security
  • Working with vulnerable people or communities
• Desirable Qualifications:
• - Three or more years advocating for the rights of people with developmental disabilities
• - Knowledge of statewide resources available to people with developmental disabilities
• - Experience reviewing medical or educational records
• - Alternate dispute resolution training and practice
• - One or more years supervising colleagues in a work or volunteer setting
• - Contacts with disability organizations and/or within disability communities
• - Experience with or extensive contacts in ethnic or language distinct communities
• - Experience providing training to a diverse range of people
• - Life experience as a person with a disability or direct experience as a caregiver of a person with a disability
• - Proficiency with Windows-based computer applications including Microsoft Office and case management software
• - Demonstrated experience and ability to work effectively with a variety of organizations and individuals with diverse perspectives, including people with disabilities, administrators, advocacy groups, and the public, and to maintain confidentiality in all matters
• - License or Certificate: For placement as a CRA 2, must be admitted to the California State Bar, or eligible to practice under California’s Registered Legal Services Attorney Program. If eligible under the RLSA Program, must become admitted to the California State Bar within five (5) years. If you are hired as a CRA 1 and later become licensed, you are eligible for an immediate promotion to CRA 2.
• - Bilingual Ability: Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options. Can write clear, detailed texts on a variety of subjects related to his/her field of interest, synthesizing, and evaluating information and arguments.

Travel Requirements

Occasional travel required. Ability to travel occasionally for activities such as client meetings, out-of-town meetings, team meetings, training, or outreach activities up to 10% of the time. More travel may be required to meet program or contract requirements.

Working Conditions

The following describes general working conditions and requirements of the job, which can be performed with or without disability-related reasonable accommodations.

• Duties are performed in office and home environments and the field in a wide range of settings, including private residences, courthouses, congregate care or other institutional settings, and community agencies.
• Duties frequently require communicating with others in-person and over online platforms.
• Must be able to transport oneself to work-related meetings, hearings, facilities, and settings where clients live.