What We Do

Disability Rights Texas (DRTX) is the federally designated legal protection and advocacy organization for people with disabilities in Texas to protect and advocate for the rights of people with disabilities.

DRTx offers some great benefits such as zero or minimal employee only costs for medical/dental/vision/life insurance, a very generous paid leave process (to include winter break, long summer weekends, vacation time, sick time, AND personal holidays), and a company 401k contribution (currently at 7%) for each employee (whether the employee contributes or not). These, along with the passion and purpose of having a platform on which to advocate, makes DRTx a great work place.

A clear vision and a talented team

DRTx is an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate and promote regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law. 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 can provide these services because of the hard work and dedication of our passionate and creative employees.

Equal Opportunity Employer

DRTx is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment upon any unlawful basis. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to inquire about employment. We make reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees who have a disability. If you need an accommodation to apply for one of our positions, contact us at (512) 454-4816 and ask for an HR representative.

Diversity and equality

DRTx’ s 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, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all the other fascinating characteristics that make us different.

Position Summary

The Advocate is responsible for receiving rights violations, complaints, determining eligibility under Organization priorities and administering non-litigation case level services. The Advocate will typically perform work under one or more issue teams. The Advocate works under the direction of an attorney in all case related work. Under this direction, the Advocate exercises independent judgment within agency policies and priorities in determining client services at the case level. This may include interviewing clients, reviewing records, negotiating favorable outcomes, mediating disputes, supervising referrals, and assisting attorneys with representation of clients in administrative hearings and trials. The Advocate analyzes problems based on client information and case investigation and consults and collaborates with an attorney to develop a case strategy. The Advocate investigates facts, recognizes the legal issues in a case and applies a basic understanding of applicable rules, policies, and regulations.

The Advocate also 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.

Essential Functions

• Follow and implement the organization’s client services policies and procedures regarding client interviews, case records, investigations, and case documentation.
• Master technical information of applicable program areas and relevant statutes and policies. Should be well versed on issue team area of expertise.
• Conceptualize and develop initial and ongoing case strategy for long and short term cases within the parameters set by the attorney.
• Develop and maintain a caseload within the level set by the supervising attorney.
• Clearly communicate relevant case information to clients, fellow staff members, other stakeholders and necessary parties, throughout the case.
• Be thorough in all case work with clear and effective oral/written communications, timely capturing and documenting all pertinent information, and provide comprehensive analysis of cases when called upon.
• Assist clients through the process of case advocacy and negotiations.
• Develop materials for Education and Training programs and other outreach initiatives and speak to the public extensively in order to present information on services and legal rights issues.
• Provide appropriate information, materials, referral, and short-term case level services to all contacts that are not provided long-term case level services
• Continually educate oneself in order to increase disability related knowledge and to keep abreast of changing regulations, policies, laws and similar issues affecting clients and the work of this position.
• Travel as needed to provide case and other related services.
• Appropriately utilize case management software(s), prioritize tasks as needed and multi-task numerous responsibilities in a timely manner.
• Establish personal credibility throughout the team, with clients, and other parties of interest in order to be an effective partner and advisor.
• Apply the principles of the organization’s vision and values in all work-related business and interactions.
• Provide intake services when requested.
• Perform other duties as requested or required.

Required Qualifications

• Bi-Lingual in Spanish – both written and spoken word
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Education, Psychology, Rehabilitation Counseling, Disability Studies, Social Service or other related field of study plus two (2) years previous related experience with demonstrated success working with persons with disabilities - or - four (4) years previous related experience with demonstrated success working with persons with disabilities.
• Demonstrated functional knowledge of complex laws, regulations, and programs on both the State and Federal level affecting people with disabilities.
• Demonstrated functional knowledge of the Medicaid-Waiver programs.
• Ability to work well with others in a team environment, but also independently
• Willingness to take direction and ability to independently follow through on all instructions in a timely fashion
• Demonstrated ability to manage individual workloads so that services are delivered timeline and appropriately.
• Knowledge and skills to appropriately implement case strategies.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize conflicting assignments, and work under challenging conditions while meeting required deadlines.
• Initiative in following up on a case timely to get the best possible outcome.
• Ability to do research and apply it effectively
• Strong and effective writing, verbal, and negotiating communications skills including the ability to do so in a concise manner, even when doing so regarding complex issues to a variety of people.
• 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; relationship builder with the flexibility and finesse to “manage by influence”.
• Excellent detail-orientation, follow-up skills and organizational skills.
• Strong computer literacy including working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• High level of commitment to service excellence.
• High degrees of integrity, ethics and judgment are a must.

Physical/Mental Requirements

• Uses personal computer approximately 6-7 hours per day.
• Uses telephone and email to communicate with clients and other professionals, approximately 3-5 hours per day.
• Spends approximately 1-3 hours per day in meetings.
• Sits approximately 6-7 hours per day.
• Requires working under a moderate degree of stress (time constraints; deadlines; multi-tasking high-level projects and issues; complex issues; and conflict resolution).
• Moderate to regular travel, generally within Texas, is required (40%).

If you meet these qualifications and have interest in this opportunity, we would love to speak with you.

The purpose of this position description is to serve as a general summary and overview of the major duties and responsibilities of the job. It is not intended to represent the entirety of the job nor is it intended to be all-inclusive. Therefore, the position may be required or requested to perform for Disability Rights Texas other work duties not specifically listed herein. Management reserves the right to modify, defer or rescind this position description at any time, with or without prior notice.