Team Advocacy Project Advocate

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Disability Rights South Carolina is the designated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agency for South Carolina. The P&As comprise the nationwide network of congressionally created and mandated, legally based disability rights agencies. P&A agencies have the authority to provide legal representation and other advocacy services, under federal and state laws, to all people with disabilities.

Disability Rights South Carolina (DRSC) is a private, statewide nonprofit which protects and advocates for the legal, civil and human rights of people with disabilities. DRSC believes that people with disabilities are people first, and are the primary decision makers in all areas of their life. Our goals include Safety and Protection, Community Integration, and Equal Access for people with disabilities. This position plays a vital role in achieving these goals.

The Team Advocacy Project Advocate for Disability Rights South Carolina (DRSC) shall work under the general supervision of the Abuse and Neglect Advocate Coordinator. This position is classified as Salaried – Non-exempt from overtime under federal Department of Labor regulations.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to

    1. Organize and conduct inspections of community residential care facilities (CRCFs) as outlined in a contract between the Department of Mental Health (DMH) and DRSC and as designated by the Abuse and Neglect Advocate Coordinator. This includes the inspections, analysis, report writing, and submission of the reports to the appropriate entities.
    2. Serve as liaison to DMH and other relevant agencies and organizations in ensuring a systemic approach to protecting residents of the above-described facilities, including immediate reporting of concerns for residents’ safety and/or health.
    3. Develop and maintain a volunteer management system for the Team Advocacy Project. This includes recruitment, retention and training of volunteers who will be members of the inspection teams.
    4. Prepare written quarterly and annual reports of inspections detailing conditions affecting quality of life of residents in the facilities. These will include quarterly billing statements to DMH.
    5. Keep abreast of relevant developments in disability law, regulations and policies of state agencies.
    6. Collaborate with the PAVA Coordinator to offer voter registration to residents of CRCFs when they are inspected.
    7. Initiate and maintain contact with volunteer and consumer organizations, service providers, and other relevant groups and individuals at the direction of the team leader, acquiring a working knowledge of, and sensitivity to, minorities and residents of rural communities through information, training, and interaction with community leaders and organizations established in rural and minority communities.
    8. Attend and participate in meetings of the CRCF Task Force and any other necessary committees as identified by the Advocate Coordinator.
    9. Advise Advocate Coordinator and/or appropriate legal personnel on policy issues and problems/questions having legal implications.
    10. Assist Advocate Coordinator, as needed, in the development, implementation and monitoring of appropriate programs and goals.
    11. Maintain accurate, up-to-date database records in the prescribed format. This includes the timely completion of narratives and documentation for required reports and electronic data entry.
    12. Timely submit all internal DRSC forms and records as required.
    13. Advise the Advocate Coordinator of training and technical assistance needs.
    14. Other duties as requested.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in education, psychology, social work or a related field; and relevant experience.

Master’s degree preferred.

Desired Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Commitment to the mission of Disability Rights South Carolina and to the civil rights of people with disabilities.

Ability to work with individuals from a variety of cultural backgrounds and a demonstrated understanding of the overall organization and relationships among and between service areas and teams.

Ability to coordinate research and perform overall management and to develop and manage programs, supervise volunteers, and monitor and evaluate projects.

Ability to work both independently and in collaboration with others, maintain confidentiality; and to deal effectively with and negotiate through confrontational situations and stressful interactions.

Advanced knowledge of systems providing services to people with disabilities and disability laws and regulations.

Proficiency in oral and written communication, computer literacy.

Must be able to travel within the state. May be required to travel out-of-state for trainings or conferences.

How to Apply

Interested individuals should submit a cover letter and resume via mail, fax or email to Lorie Boddie, Finance & Human Resources Manager, 3710 Landmark Drive, Suite 208, Columbia, SC 29204 or email at [email protected]. Deadline for submission is Tuesday, November 30th, 2021.

State background checks will be requested.

No phone calls please.

EOE. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

For more information, please visit our website at https://www.disabilityrightssc.org