If you require an accommodation due to a disability to complete this application OR you are experiencing issues submitting your application and accompanying
materials please e-mail talent@disabilityrightsca.org.
Make a difference! We stand for the rights of people that have disabilities....JOIN US!
Individuals who are Deaf or Disabled are encouraged to apply.
Location: Remote (must live in California), Sacramento, Oakland, Los Angeles, San Diego, Ontario, or Fresno
SALARY RANGE (Depending on Experience): $20.64 hr - $30.22 hr
We base salary and position offers on experience and an internal equity analysis.
Employment Status: Non-Exempt; Regular; Full time (37.5 hrs.)
EXCELLENT BENEFITS including 8% 401k Match, a 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). Additionally, we offer ample vacation, sick/self-care leave and eighteen paid holidays (including the last week in December) and more….. We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - eligible employer.
Application Deadline: Open until filled. Applications should be received by April 4, 2023 to be considered for the first round of interviews.
WHO WE ARE
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.
DRC values all forms of human diversity. We are committed to a culture of belonging where all people are welcome. In order to be effective advocates for all people with disabilities, we must address discrimination in all its forms, including the unique challenges faced by people who experience the intersection of multiple systems of discrimination.
Peer Self-Advocacy Unit (PSA)
PSA is seeking a Peer-Self-Advocate Trainer to join our team. The PSA program is part of the Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act (PAIMI), since 1986 PSA started providing peer self-advocacy services to reach, teach and empower people with mental health disabilities in locked psychiatric facilities and state hospitals to educate about their patients’ rights in order to learn and build skills to self-advocate for their needs.
All PSA staff are peers, meaning you must be person living with a mental health disability.
Some people refer to themselves as clients, consumers, survivors, or use other terms to identify self.
In PSA, we as staff share our experiences. We assist others to speak up, make decisions, and support each other to live the lives they choose. Since we are a Protection and Advocacy program, we have the authority by law to go into locked facilities to provide PSA services - few other organizations have the opportunity to enter locked facilities. PSA operates primarily remotely working to facilitate In-Person or virtual PSA groups throughout California.
In addition to PSA groups and trainings, we also collaborate with Peer Service Providers who work with SMI community coordinating Know-Your-Rights workshops to increase knowledge base to disability resources, by doing so we also increase the number of peers we can assist.
PSA is a diverse and collaborative team that values flexibility, adaptability, and innovation in a legal landscape that has been significantly changed by the pandemic.
PURPOSE OF THE JOB
The Peer Self-Advocate Trainer will provide peer self-advocacy educational trainings on-site at facilities. PSA groups focuses on rights-based information that can be used to self-advocate. This provides peers the needed support to share experiences and help one another find solutions to get what they want and need to meet their individual goals.
PSA Staff do not advocate directly for peers, but rather educate peers to advocate for themselves. They do not provide direct advocacy, legal advice, or individual representation.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
DRC provides reasonable disability accommodations to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. PSA Trainer essential functions include:
Advocacy – 75 %
- Plan, organize and facilitate trainings and provide education to people with mental health disabilities in residential mental health facilities or settings to help them understand their legal and service rights and develop self-advocacy skills. Trainings are provided at the rate of 1 self-advocacy service per 3 hours of work per week, depending on location and type of facility.
- Train on topics such as self-advocacy, conservatorship, employment, housing, patients’ rights, public benefits and other legal and service rights to help peers become their own advocates
- Provide self-advocacy services to people with disabilities from traditionally underserved communities (primarily those who live in locked residential mental health facilities)
- Write at least 2 stories per month about training and participant highlights
- Perform other duties as assigned
Supportive Services – 10%
- Participate in PSA staff meetings and activities
- Participate in agency-wide committees as assigned by Program Manager
Administrative Functions – 15%
- Document training activities and outcomes
- Collect metrics information.
- Enter training evaluation results.
- Fill out and submit administrative forms.
- Plan work schedule and travel
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
· Must self-Identify as a person living with a mental health disability.
· Currently receive or has received mental health services.
· High School Diploma, two-year college or technical school OR equivalent combination of experience and/or training.
· Two years’ experience facilitating groups, meetings or trainings (In -Person, on-site or Virtual)
· Experience working with or understand and value people with disabilities from ethnic- or language-distinct or multi-ethnic communities
· Knowledge of administrative duties and operational activities (have excellent oral and written communication skills).
· Proficiency in MS Word, MS TEAMS, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint, and office equipment.
BILINGUAL ABILITY:
Spanish language is required.
LICENSES / CERTIFICATES:
This job has no licenses or certificates requirements.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Associate's (AA or AS) degree in a related field or equivalent from two-year college or technical school OR equivalent combination of experience and/or training.
- Bilingual: Spanish, American Sign Language, or an Asian language
- Knowledge of the mental health service system and an understanding of relevant Federal and State laws, especially in relationship to patients' rights law
- Experience working with and understand and value communities of color (Native American, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian/Pacific Islander or African American or others)
- Experience working with and understand and value people with disabilities from traditionally underserved communities (i.e., people from the homeless, LGBTQ+, ethnic- and language-distinct and multi-ethnic communities, veterans, older adults and others)
- Knowledge of rights to services, benefits and legal resources throughout the state available to people with mental health disabilities
- Experience working with service and advocacy providers, volunteer organizations or other community groups
- Contacts with disability organizations and disability communities
- Contacts with ethnic- and language-distinct and multi-ethnic communities and organizations
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Heavy travel required: Able to travel routinely for activities such as education, training, outreach activities and out-of-town meetings up to 50% of the time.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Duties are performed in a variety of settings, including office settings, home offices, facilities for people with mental health disabilities (including state hospitals), at conferences and training locations in the field. Work areas can be noisy. Weights up to 10 pounds are encountered occasionally. Must be able to transport oneself to training sites, work-related meetings and activities, etc. Ability to work evenings and weekends. Willingness to travel throughout a regional area of California and occasionally throughout other regions of the state.
CORE COMPETENCY SKILL LEVELS
The competencies below represent the knowledge, skills, behaviors and/or
abilities required to be successful at DRC, with or without disability related
reasonable accommodations. Identify the level of each necessary for this
particular job. Each higher level includes the skills that came before it.
Advocacy
Ability to gather basic but necessary information from clients, record
information, and refer clients. Ability to understand, and address clients’
needs. Ensures others grasp the purpose and benefits of the program.
Ability to deliver training and promote DRC services.
Communication
Ability to return telephone calls and correspondence including emails from
staff and stakeholders promptly and in a professional and courteous
manner. Ability to speak effectively in one-on-one and small group
situations to clients and other employees of the agency.
Critical Thinking
Ability to solve problems by applying policies and procedures to the facts of
the situation. Ability to effectively reprioritize and work on several projects,
simultaneously. Sees underlying principles, patterns, or themes in an array
of related information.
Diversity & Inclusion
Sees the value of disability, cultural, ethnic, gender, and other individual
differences in people. Maintains an open, approachable manner, respects
the talents and contributions of all individuals and treats others fairly and
respectfully. Preserves others’ self-confidence and dignity, and shows
regard for their opinions. Appropriately applies disability etiquette and
accessibility protocols.
Relationship Building
Ability to interact with potential clients and/or other community stakeholders
by sharing accurate information that assists them in understanding the
issues, opportunities, and solutions DRC can provide. Ability to be friendly,
responsive, and welcoming to clients and coworkers. Ability to commit to
coworkers' success, share information, and offer assistance across
unit/department. Demonstrates a balance between building rapport and
getting the work done. Displays a positive attitude about the work, co
workers, clients, management, and employer policies.
\n
\n
$20.64 - $30.22 an hour
SALARY RANGE (Depending on Experience): $20.64 hr - $30.22 hr We base salary and position offers on experience and an internal equity analysis.
\n
If you are interested in becoming a part of DRC, please submit the following:
1. Online Disability Rights California Application Form
2. Your resume
3. Cover Letter: We need a workforce that can utilize insights and strategies that can come from both professional and personal experience. In your cover letter, please tell us about yourself and why you are a great fit for this position and for DRC.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
At Disability Rights California, we value diversity among our employees because unique perspectives allow us to effectively serve Californians with disabilities from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, age (over 40), Disability (mental and physical), sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military and veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.
Disability Rights California endorses and supports the intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are applicants or employees who need accommodations.