Community Empowerment Specialist

Deaf, Counseling, Advocacy & Referral Agency; San Leandro, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental and Vision Plans

Life Insurance

Twelve Holidays

Generous Sick and Vacation Leave

Weekly Wellbeing Hour

Job summary

DCARA is seeking a Community Empowerment Specialist to collaborate with our mission of empowering Deaf clients by providing information, resources, and tools. The role requires fluency in American Sign Language and frequent on-site work in the Bay Area to serve clients and internal departments.

The position emphasizes direct client services, advocacy counseling, and training, with a focus on accessibility, culture, and community empowerment.

Qualifications

• ASL proficiency and Deaf culture knowledge required.
• Effective communication, problem-solving, and listening skills.
• Familiarity with ADA and Section 504 protections.

Responsibilities

• Provide client services and advocacy counseling in person or via videoconferencing.
• Enroll clients in Salesforce and maintain records.
• Assist clients with eligibility and understanding their legal rights.
• Deliver self-advocacy resources and training, and facilitate access to communication.
• Submit interpreter requests; coordination with Interpreting Services.

Skills

ASL proficiency

Communication skills

Problem solving

Active listening

ADA/504 knowledge

Education

Associate Degree or equivalent experience

Bachelor Degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Google Workspace

Salesforce

Job description

Job Summary

DCARA is seeking a Community Empowerment Specialist collaborates with DCARA’s mission to empower Deaf* clients by providing information, resources, and tools, enabling them to be integral and contributing members of their community. The Community Empowerment Specialist is fluent in American Sign Language since they will work frequently with clients and internal departments.

Essential Job Functions

Client Services

• Minimum of three days per-week on-site presence required
• Regularly meet with clients via videophone, Zoom or in person for services and other critical stages of their case.
• Deliver direct client services, advocacy counseling, and information.
• Enroll clients using Salesforce and keep records updated.
• Assist clients with eligibility requirements, applications, and understanding their legal rights.
• Provide self-advocacy resources and training, and facilitate communication access.
• Submit interpreter requests for each assignment and ensure that they meet grant qualification requirements;
  • Interpreter fulfillment will be managed by the Interpreting Services Department.

Community & Report Duties

• Conduct quarterly advocacy workshops and promote public awareness events twice a year.
• Creating vlog submissions and other methods to reflect advocacy services on social media
• Maintain relationships with nonprofit and for-profit agencies, advocating for Deaf* community needs.
• Generate reports, maintain records, and update the Salesforce system with client notes.
• Minimum of three days per-week on-site presence required

Communication

• Efficient communication methods, including all electronic formats (emails, Zoom chats, etc.) and in person with all employees, using the following:
  • Various levels of written English
  • American Sign Language
  • Other signed communication methods

Required Education and Experience

• Associate Degree or equivalent experience.
• Proficiency in ASL, with knowledge of Deaf culture.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and active listening skills.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace and similar software.
• Understanding of ADA, Section 504, and related laws protecting Deaf* rights.

Desired Education and Experience

• Bachelor Degree or equivalent experience.
• Three years of experience in social services or social work.
• Knowledge of social justice issues affecting Deaf* communities.
• Experience working in diverse social and cultural environments.
• Proficiency with Salesforce platform is desired but can provide training.

Benefits

• Employee Full Coverage: Health, Dental and Vision Plans
  • Optional to add members at competitive rates
• Life Insurance
• Paid Benefits
  • Twelve (12) Holidays
  • Generous Sick and Vacation Leave
  • Weekly Wellbeing Hour
    

*Work Location Requirement: This is a primarily in-person position. Must be based within commuting distance of San Leandro for three mandatory in-office days per week. Remote work is only permitted when approved for specific situations and is not a standard benefit. Applicants must live within the Bay Area and be available to meet with clients on short notice. This is a client-facing role requiring regular on-site presence.

Our Workplace Culture

Our workplace culture is a fun, challenging, and caring working environment where you can grow your career. We work together by being inclusive to everyone - including ideas, of people, of points of view. Individually, we are experts at what we do. Collectively, our impact is even greater. You’ll find some of the best and most satisfied staff working for the agency. At DCARA, you will be able to use your experiences, abilities, creativity, and energy to work and discover the talents within yourself as you enrich the lives of Deaf* (Deaf, DeafBlind, Deaf with disabilities, hard of hearing, and late-deafened) community members.

Living in the Bay Area

DCARA is located in the beautiful Bay Area / North Coastal of California, known for its large Deaf* community, warm climate, highly educated communities, historic buildings, and an exciting array of activities for everyone, including cultural events, professional sports, trips up and down the Pacific coastline, wine tasting in Napa and Sonoma Valley, hiking around Redwood Giants, and many other community activities. You will also live near many of the world’s Global companies (Google, Apple, Facebook, for example) which are located in the Bay Area. There is no better place to live than California as the world’s fifth largest economy!

Equal Employment Opportunity

DCARA is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. DCARA is an at-will employer and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, including Deaf, DeafBlind, Deaf with disabilities, hard of hearing, and late deafened people. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

Join us in empowering Deaf* communities! Be a leader, an advocate, and a champion for change at DCARA.