Disability Rights Texas has a position open in Austin. It requires a background in VR. The CAP positions investigate complaints against VR to ensure people with disabilities are getting the services they need.
Advocate, CAP/PABSS (VR Counselor/CRC)
Regular Full-Time
Austin, Austin, Texas, US
30+ days ago
Requisition ID: 1070
Salary Range: $47,000.00 To 76,000.00 Annually
If you are in need of an accommodation to apply for one of our positions, contact us at (512) 454-4816 and ask for an HR representative.
Position Summary
The Client Assistance Program/Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (CAP/PABSS) Advocate is responsible for receiving rights violations complaints, determining eligibility and assisting with non-litigation and potential litigation case level services. Specifically, this position works with applicants or clients of Texas Workforce Solutions – Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Independent Living Centers, and beneficiaries of Social Security. The Advocate prepares and conducts education and training sessions and other outreach initiatives for persons with disabilities, parents, advocates, and professionals/service providers. This includes participating in different activities in order to present information regarding the organization’s services and programs.
Daily work may include interviewing clients, reviewing records, negotiating favorable outcomes, mediating disputes, supervised referrals, and assisting attorneys with representation of clients in administrative hearings, mediations and trials. Daily work also includes communicating in writing in various scenarios like documenting case notes, case summaries, letters to client and third parties and memos. The Advocate investigates facts, recognizes the legal issues in a case and applies a basic understanding of applicable rules, policies and regulations, working under the guidance of an attorney. The Advocate shall provide information and referrals to beneficiaries about work incentives, employment rights, overpayments, as well as addressing issues that may arise while working with employer networks under the Ticket to Work Program.
- Demonstrate understanding of disability rights values in daily life (self-determination, person-centered services, informed consent, equal opportunity, independence and inclusion; and strong belief that individuals with disabilities can work in a competitive employment setting).
- Participate on teams of attorneys and advocates with respect to any advocacy, monitoring or litigation conducted by DRTx. Attend all staff meetings, team meetings; work groups, and in-service training, as required by Supervisor.
- Follow and implement the organization’s client services policies and procedures regarding case management including client interviews, case records, investigations, and case documentation.
- Conceptualize and develop initial and ongoing case strategy for long and short-term cases within the parameters.
- Develop, maintain and manage the assigned caseload, to include client files, project files, and any/all other files.
- Use clear and effective oral/written communications, timely capturing and documenting all pertinent information, and provide comprehensive analysis of cases when called upon.
- Write organized and concise letters, emails, memos and complaints to enforcement agencies, and internal reports.
- Assist clients through the process of case advocacy and negotiations.
- Develop materials for education and training programs and other outreach initiatives, and do public presentations regarding agency services and legal rights issues.
- Master technical information of applicable program areas and relevant statutes and policies.
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling –or- a Bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or other related field of study and two (2) years’ experience with vocational rehabilitation.
- Successful completion of PABSS Core training and CAP Orientation training.
- Demonstrated functional knowledge of laws, regulations, and programs affecting people with disabilities on both the State and Federal level, specifically in the area of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, vocational rehabilitation, independent living services, and some knowledge of social security benefits.
- Demonstrated ability to navigate and resolve conflicts between parties while maintaining professionalism.
- Ability to multitask, prioritize conflicting assignments, and work under challenging conditions while meeting required deadlines.
- Ability to do research and apply it effectively.
- Strong and effective writing and verbal communications skills including the ability to do so in a concise manner.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality; safeguard client confidentiality and client Personal Identifying Information (PII).
- Experience in public speaking and developing effective presentations.
- Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building and collaboration skills to be able to work effectively with others inside and outside of the organization.
- Strong computer literacy including working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- High degrees of integrity, ethics and judgment are required.
- This position handles highly confidential and private information and government security clearance is required. Persons employed in this position must receive clearance through a thorough and invasive background investigation conducted by the United States Government Office of Personnel Management.
- Provide proof of being fully-vaccinated for Covid-19, mandatory.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bi-Lingual in Spanish – both written and spoken word
Disability Rights Texas (DRTx) is an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate and promote regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law, not only because it is the right thing to do, but because it makes DRTx a stronger organization. At DRTx, we have a clear vision: to help people with disabilities understand and exercise their rights under the law, ensuring their full and equal participation in society, and to also be the place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, to stay and do their best work serving our clients. We envision a society where all people have dignity and worth. People with disabilities have basic human needs that are no different from those of all people. They have a right to freedom from neglect, exploitation, discrimination and isolation, and a right to be included in all aspects of their communities. Our organization is able to provide these services because of the hard work and dedication of our passionate and creative employees.
Disability Rights Texas’ dedication to promoting diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion is clearly reflected in all of our content and across all of our issue teams. Diversity is more than a commitment at DRTx—it is the foundation of what we do. We are fully focused on equality and believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all the other fascinating characteristics that make us different. If you share our values and vision, you will find a home at DRTx.
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