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: Sacramento, Oakland or Remote (Northern California Only)
SALARY RANGE (Depending on Experience): $67,477 - $98,817 annually
We base salary and position offers on experience and an internal equity analysis.
EXCELLENT BENEFITS including 8% 401k Match, a language differential up to $250.mo, a LRAP (Loan Repayment Assistance Program) that pays up to $300 per month depending on salary and debt. Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - eligible employment.
Application Deadline: Open until filled. Applications should be received by May 31, 2023 to be considered for the first round of interviews.
WHO WE ARE
Disability Rights California (DRC) is the Protection & Advocacy (P&A) system for the state of 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.
Investigations Unit
The Investigations Unit (IU) is a statewide team of zealous advocates who engage in non-litigation strategies to eliminate the abuse and neglect of people with disabilities. IU investigates allegations of abuse and neglect in facilities and programs such as state hospitals, developmental centers, nursing facilities, group homes, community crisis homes, jails, and immigration detention facilities. IU investigates individual incidents of abuse and neglect, failures of the abuse response system, and the root causes of abuse and neglect of people with disabilities. IU strives to address the intersectional needs of people with all types of disabilities experiencing abuse and neglect, especially those from traditionally underserved and underrepresented populations.
We value lived experiences with disability, incarceration, and/or institutionalization, and experiences working with our clients across a range of settings. Please consider discussing such experiences in your cover letter, especially if they are not reflected in your resume.
PURPOSE OF THE JOB
The IU Staff Attorney is responsible for conducting abuse and neglect investigations on behalf of people with disabilities and pursuing policy reform stemming from the outcome of those investigations. This includes interviewing, analyzing records, writing detailed case reports and publications, reviewing and drafting legislation and regulations, and participating in stakeholder meetings on issues related to abuse and neglect of individuals with disabilities.
The Staff Attorney works under the direct supervision of a Supervising or Senior Attorney in the IU and in collaboration with other Disability Rights California attorneys, investigators, and advocates in their legal, advocacy, and outreach efforts. This position will require traveling throughout the state, and occasional travel out of state.
Please note that this is a non-litigation attorney position. The IU attorney will not be providing direct legal services to clients and will advance advocacy through grassroots, policy, and legislative strategies.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential functions are the job responsibilities an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. Staff Attorney 1 essential functions include:
Direct Investigations and Systemic Advocacy – 75%
- Conduct confidential investigations into allegations of abuse and neglect of persons with disabilities.
- Conduct interviews, review and analyze documentary evidence, and perform other investigatory activities.
- Draft clear and concise detailed written documents, including internal memorandum and public reports.
- Participate in public policy activities which might include the review and drafting of legislation and regulations.
- Monitor facilities that provide services to persons with disabilities for instances of abuse and neglect
- Participate with stakeholder groups and provide commentary and feedback on issues important to persons with disabilities
Community-Based Advocacy – 20%
- Engage in community-based advocacy, outreach, and training to disability communities and organizations.
- Prepare training materials, publications, reports, and special projects.
- Strengthen relationships with community-based organizations and assist in the development and implementation of advocacy projects to advance shared goals.
Other Duties – 5%
- Assist with organizational development and planning.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to travel frequently for activities such as out-of-town meetings, client visits, facilities monitoring and inspections, hearings, education, training, or outreach activities up to 40% of the time. This position will require traveling throughout the state, and occasional travel out of state. This position specifically serves Northern California, with extensive travel in and around the Sacramento and Bay areas, moderate travel to far Northern California and the Central Valley/Coast, and occasional travel to Southern California.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
- Admitted to California Bar or eligible to practice under California’s Registered Legal Services Attorney program[1] and at least one year of legal experience.
- Experience working with people across a variety of backgrounds in the community, including people with disabilities, individuals from language or ethnically distinct communities, people at risk of or experiencing homelessness, elderly populations, and a variety of socioeconomic groups.
- Ability to conduct research and analyses of pertinent legal authority.
- Ability to analyze complex problems and develop creative solutions.
- Written and verbal communication skills sufficient to communicate legal questions and issues to a team of attorneys and the general public.
- The ability to work independently with appropriate supervision.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in licensing or with agencies which specifically address abuse, neglect, and quality of care issues affecting people with disabilities.
- Experience reviewing medical records or other clinical documents.
- Knowledge of disability laws including state and federal laws and services that pertain to people with disabilities, and/or direct representation of people with disabilities.
- Experience with community and movement-based lawyering.
- Experience filing complaints with state and federal agencies.
- Experience advocating with policymakers at the federal, state, and/or local level.
- Ability to read, write, and speak a language other than English, including American Sign Language, with sufficient fluency to interview clients and conduct trainings.
- Experience in the disability justice movement and/or extensive contacts in the disability community.
- Experience with and/or extensive contacts in ethnic or language distinct communities.
- History of support and familiarity with one or more of the following: homelessness, criminal legal system, institutional settings, or Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer/Intersex/Asexual (LGBTQIA+) communities.
[1] https://www.courts.ca.gov/cms/rules/index.cfm?title=nine&linkid=rule9_45
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to travel frequently for activities such as out-of-town meetings, client visits, facilities monitoring and inspections, hearings, education, training, or outreach activities up to 40% of the time. This position will require traveling throughout the state, and occasional travel out of state. This position specifically serves Northern California, with extensive travel in and around the Sacramento and Bay areas, moderate travel to far Northern California and the Central Valley/Coast, and occasional travel to Southern California.
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 between an office environment and the field in a wide range of settings, including health care facilities; in client, group, or family homes; community agencies; or in community-based outpatient settings. Work areas are often noisy. Duties frequently require sitting, talking and/or hearing and occasional periods of standing, stooping, kneeling, and crouching. Weights to be lifted and/or moved up to 10 pounds are frequently encountered. Must be able to transport oneself to work-related meetings, facilities, etc.
High speed connection is required to work for us
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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.
4. Sample of legal writing (i.e., a legal argument, letter or analysis) consisting of no more than 10 pages of text.
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.