Community Representative

Silicon Valley Independent Living Center; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC) seeks a Community Advocate (Systems Change) to organize and support people with disabilities in identifying and removing barriers in public policies and community systems. The role emphasizes consumer leadership, self-determination, and cross-disability collaboration.

The position partners with consumers, agencies, and networks to drive education, outreach, and systems advocacy, while providing limited individual advocacy and referrals as

Qualifications

• Experience in disability advocacy, community organizing, or public policy.
• Ability to engage diverse disability communities with respect and empathy.
• Strong written and oral communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
• Commitment to independent living philosophy, consumer control, and equity.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate education, outreach, and grassroots systems advocacy with consumers and partners.
• Monitor policy issues affecting disability rights and accessibility at multiple levels.
• Support consumer leadership and public participation in meetings and hearings.
• Document advocacy activities and outcomes, and collaborate with allied networks.

Skills

Disability advocacy

Community organizing

Public policy

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Job Title: Community Advocate (Systems Change)

Organization: Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC)

Location: San Jose, CA

Hourly Rate: $28/hr / 35 hours per week

Work Schedule: Five days in the office

About SVILC

Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC) is a disability-led nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing disability rights, independence, inclusion, and equitable access to opportunities for individuals with disabilities throughout Santa Clara County.

Through consumer-directed services, advocacy, education, and community partnerships, SVILC works alongside individuals with all types of disabilities to promote independence, remove systemic barriers, and strengthen inclusive communities. Our core services include Information & Referral, Independent Living Skills Training, Peer Support, Individual & Systems Advocacy, Transition Services, Housing, and Assistive Technology.

Position Summary

The Community Advocate (Systems Change) advances disability justice by organizing and supporting people with disabilities to identify, challenge, and remove barriers in public policies, community systems, services, and physical and digital environments. The role centers consumer leadership, self-determination, cross-disability collaboration, and the independent living philosophy.

Working with consumers, community partners, public agencies, and statewide advocacy networks, the Community Advocate coordinates education, outreach, grassroots organizing, and systems advocacy initiatives. The position also provides limited individual advocacy and referrals as appropriate, in coordination with SVILC program staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Systems Advocacy and Public Policy

• Work with consumers and disability community members to identify priority barriers and develop an annual systems advocacy work plan with measurable goals.
• Monitor and explain relevant local, regional, and statewide policy issues affecting disability rights, accessibility, housing, transportation, emergency preparedness, healthcare access, and civic participation.
• Support consumer-led participation in public meetings, hearings, advisory bodies, and policy discussions; assist with accessible written or oral public comment consistent with SVILC-approved advocacy priorities.
• Coordinate with California independent living networks, CFILC, and community coalitions on shared advocacy efforts and timely information exchange.
• Document policy developments, advocacy activities, partnerships, and observable systems-change outcomes.

Community Organizing and Consumer Leadership

• Recruit, engage, and support people with diverse disabilities in advocacy groups, campaigns, and leadership
• Facilitate accessible training workshops on self-advocacy, community organizing, disability rights, legislative engagement, and systems change.
• Build relationships with public agencies, local government, transit providers, housing partners, service organizations, and disability-led groups.
• Gather community input through accessible meetings, listening sessions, focus groups, and other consumer directed approaches.

Outreach, Education, and Accessibility

• Represent SVILC at community meetings, coalitions, public forums, and outreach events as assigned.
• Develop clear, accessible outreach and advocacy materials in coordination with organizational communications priorities.
• Plan for reasonable accommodations and accessible participation at meetings, workshops, and events, including language access and alternate formats as appropriate.
• Promote the independent living philosophy, disability culture, cross-disability inclusion, and the principle of “Nothing About Us Without Us.”

Individual Advocacy, Coordination, and Reporting

• Provide consumer-directed individual advocacy information, coaching, and referrals within role scope; coordinate direct-service needs with appropriate SVILC staff.
• Maintain timely, accurate records of advocacy contacts, activities, trainings, partnerships, and outcomes in approved systems.
• Contribute to applicable Department of Rehabilitation, organizational, and grant or contract reports; meet documentation and reporting deadlines.
• Participate in supervision, team meetings, training, quality improvement, and other duties consistent with the position.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Relevant experience in disability advocacy, community organizing, human services, public policy, outreach, or a related area; equivalent combinations of education, lived experience, training, and work experience will be
• Demonstrated ability to engage respectfully and effectively with people with diverse disabilities and backgrounds.
• Strong communication, facilitation, organization, writing, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain confidentiality, document work accurately, and use common office and electronic record systems.
• Commitment to independent living philosophy, consumer control, self-determination, disability justice, accessibility, and equity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, public policy, human services, communications, disability studies, or a related field.
• Experience working with a Center for Independent Living, disability rights organization, or community-based advocacy coalition.
• Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Rehabilitation Act, accessible public participation, and local or California disability policy.
• Lived experience with disability and/or meaningful personal or professional experience in the disability community.
• Bilingual or multilingual proficiency, including American Sign Language or languages commonly spoken in Santa Clara County.
• Experience with advocacy documentation, public comment, community organizing, or statewide systems-change networks.

Core Competencies

• Consumer-Directed Advocacy: Centers the priorities, voices, and decisions of people with disabilities.
• Community Collaboration: Builds trust and works across organizations and perspectives.
• Policy and Systems Thinking: Connects individual barriers to opportunities for broader change.
• Accessibility and Cultural Humility: Creates inclusive ways for community members to participate.
• Accountability and Follow-Through: Meets deadlines and demonstrates meaningful advocacy outcomes.

This position is primarily office-based in San Jose, California, with regular travel throughout Santa Clara County and surrounding areas for meetings, community outreach, advocacy activities, and organizational events.

Reliable Transportation

Must maintain consistent access to reliable transportation to attend scheduled meetings, community events, outreach activities, and other work-related commitments in a timely and dependable manner.

Lifting and Carrying

Must be able to lift and carry bags, materials, and supplies weighing up to 10 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Public Speaking and Communication

Must be able to effectively deliver oral presentations, facilitate group discussions, conduct community trainings, and represent SVILC at public meetings and community events, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Work Schedule

Must maintain reliable attendance and be available for occasional evening or weekend meetings and events as required.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Accessibility

SVILC is committed to a diverse, equitable, accessible, and inclusive workplace. As a disability-led organization, SVILC values the perspectives, knowledge, and leadership of individuals with disabilities. Qualified individuals with disabilities, bilingual and multilingual candidates, and individuals from historically underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations are available throughout the application and employment process.

Compensation

Hourly pay: up to $28.00, based on relevant qualifications and experience. At 35 hours per week, $28.00 per hour is equivalent to approximately $50,960 annually before overtime. This is a non-exempt position; overtime and benefits are provided in accordance with applicable law and SVILC policies. Position Disclaimer This description conveys the general nature and level of responsibilities and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Responsibilities may evolve based on organizational needs and priorities.