Staff Attorney/Clients’ Right Advocate 1 or 2

Disability Rights California; Santa Barbara (CA); Híbrido; USD 72.318 - 99.817; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

8% 401(k) match

Loan Repayment Assistance Program

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Generous vacation and holiday time

Descripción de la vacante

A disability advocacy organization in California seeks a Clients’ Rights Advocate (CRA) to provide legal advice and representation for individuals with disabilities. The role requires a Juris Doctor degree and at least two years of relevant experience. The CRA will work closely with clients, regional centers, and community partners to ensure accessibility and support. This full-time position offers a competitive salary range of $72,318 – $98,817 with excellent benefits including a 401(k) match and comprehensive health coverage.

Formación

• Must have experience advocating for rights of individuals with disabilities.
• Requires excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must demonstrate sensitivity to diverse communities and individuals.

Responsabilidades

• Work in-office minimum two days a week.
• Advocate for clients at administrative proceedings.
• Supervise one advocate and manage outreach efforts.

Conocimientos

Advocacy for people with disabilities

Research and analysis skills

Communication skills

Cultural sensitivity

Educación

Juris Doctor degree

Herramientas

Microsoft Office

Case management software

Descripción del empleo

People with disabilities, people of color, people in all protected classes, and formerly incarcerated people are encouraged to apply. Make a difference! We fight for the rights of people who have disabilities.... JOIN US!

Equitable and Inclusive Hiring at Disability Rights California (DRC)

At Disability Rights California (DRC), we are committed to creating an equitable, accessible, and inclusive experience for all applicants. Below, we’ve outlined important details to ensure you feel fully supported throughout the hiring process.

Examples of reasonable accommodations include:

• American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation
• Alternative formats for interview materials (e.g., large print, Braille, digital files)
• Interview questions are provided prior to the interview
• Extended interview time
• A quiet or distraction-free interview setting
• Adjustments to the interview format for accessibility (e.g., pinning participants,)
• Assistance with reading or note‑taking during interviews

If you require an accommodation due to a disability to complete this application OR you are experiencing issues submitting your application and accompanying materials, please e-mail: [e-mail] . Please note: resume and cover letter are required. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

LOCATION

201 N. Calle Cesar Chavez, Suite 100‑C (TRI‑COUNTIES REGIONAL CENTER) eligible for hybrid schedule with minimum of 2 days/week in office

EMPLOYMENT STATUS

Exempt; Regular; Full‑time

SALARY RANGE

$72,318 – $91,243 annually (CRA 1) – Band 8

$70,858 – $98,817 annually (CRA 2) – Band 9

As part of our commitment to internal equity, salary offers are determined through a structured analysis that considers each candidate’s relevant education and years of substantially similar experience for the position.

EXCELLENT BENEFITS

Including 8% 401(k) Match, a Loan Repayment Assistance Program that pays up to $300 per month depending on salary and debt, a language differential up to $250/mo. Health (HMO and PPO options), dental, vision, basic life insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability insurance and flexible spending accounts (medical, dependent care and commuter). Additionally, we offer ample vacation, sick/self‑care time and eighteen paid holidays (including the last week in December) and more. We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)‑eligible employer.

INTERNAL CANDIDATE ELIGIBILITY

• Regular employees
• Meet the minimum requirements of the position for which they are applying
• Employed for more than 6 months
• In good standing

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Open until filled. Applications should be received by May 1, 2026 to be considered for the first round of interviews. Resume and cover letter are reviewed and required. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

WHO WE ARE

Disability Rights California (DRC) defends, advances, and strengthens the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities.

DRC works for a world where all disabled people have power and are treated with dignity and respect. In this world, people with disabilities are supported, valued, included in their communities, afforded the same opportunities as people without disabilities, and make their own decisions.

DRC values all forms of human diversity. We are committed to a culture of belonging where all people are welcome. In order to be effective advocates for all people with disabilities, we must address discrimination in all its forms, including the unique challenges faced by people who experience the intersection of multiple systems of discrimination.

OFFICE OF CLIENTS’ RIGHTS ADVOCACY

DRC has a contract with the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), State of California, to provide Clients’ Rights Advocacy services for clients of each of the 21 regional centers located statewide. That contract funds the Clients’ Rights Advocate (CRA) position. We are a team of zealous advocates and disability generalists who are building a culture of teamwork and working for a world where all disabled people have power, are treated with dignity and respect, and make their own decisions.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The CRA advocates for people with developmental disabilities who are regional center clients, including people who reside in state developmental centers and community facilities. The CRA is a generalist who provides information, advice, and representation on a wide range of legal topics impacting people who receive regional center services. Examples are special education, Social Security, IHSS, healthcare and insurance, and living in the community.

The CRA works under the direct supervision of a supervising attorney and in collaboration with other OCRA advocates and attorneys in their advocacy and outreach efforts.

This position is in a location convenient to the regional center and is eligible for a hybrid schedule working both remotely and in‑office. The office is currently located at 201 N. Calle Cesar Chavez, Suite 100‑C in Santa Barbara, California. A CRA in good standing may work remotely up to three days per week.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential functions are the job responsibilities an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. CRA essential functions include:

Advocacy – 70%

· Work in‑person in the Santa Barbara office a minimum of two days per week, in collaboration with OCRA’s Tri‑Counties Regional Center team.

· Provide information and advice about the diverse legal needs of people with developmental disabilities who receive services from the regional center.

· Represent clients at administrative proceedings regarding education, public benefits, and regional center eligibility and services.

· Identify and employ impact advocacy strategies to remove systematic barriers for people with disabilities.

· Develop and engage in relationships and collaborations with a range of public and private community partners, including governmental agencies and community‑based organizations, to ensure integrative services for people who receive regional center services.

· Investigate, facilitate, and report on findings from complaints of violation, withholding, or denial of rights.

Supervision – 15%

· Directly supervise one advocate.

Outreach / Training – 15%

· Develop and implement an outreach plan, including targeted outreach to traditionally underserved communities.

· Strengthen and build relationships with local community‑based organizations.

· Develop and conduct outreach, education, and training for regional center clients and their families, community groups, and others.

Other Duties

· Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Directly supervises one (1) advocate and carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the agency's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interview, hire, and train employees; plan, assign, and direct work; appraise performance; reward and discipline employees; address complaints and resolve problems.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Applicants MUST meet EACH of the minimum qualifications to be considered for an interview.

· Juris Doctor degree.

· Two or more years of experience:

  o Advocating for the rights of people with developmental disabilities; or

  o In a paid or volunteer position relating to regional center services, special education, or Social Security; or

  o Working with vulnerable people or communities.

· Ability to conduct research and analysis of pertinent legal authority.

· Written and verbal communication skills sufficient to communicate complex legal questions and issues to the general public.

· Experience working with or sensitivity to people with disabilities.

· Experience working with or sensitivity to people from ethnic or language distinct communities.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants DO NOT have to meet any of the Desirable Qualifications to be considered for an interview.

· Three or more years advocating for the rights of people with developmental disabilities.

· Knowledge of statewide resources available to people with developmental disabilities.

· Experience reviewing medical or educational records.

· Able to communicate fluently and write effectively in Spanish or an Asian language.

· Alternate dispute resolution training and practice.

· One or more years supervising colleagues in a work or volunteer setting.

· Contacts with disability organizations and/or within disability communities.

· Experience with or extensive contacts in ethnic or language distinct communities.

· Experience providing training to a diverse range of people.

· Life experience as a person with a disability or direct experience as a caregiver of a person with a disability.

· Proficiency with Windows‑based computer applications including Microsoft Office and case management software.

· Demonstrated experience and ability to work effectively with a variety of organizations and individuals with diverse perspectives, including people with disabilities, administrators, advocacy groups, and the public, and to maintain confidentiality in all matters.

Licenses / Certificates

For placement as a CRA 2, must be admitted to the California State Bar, or registered with the California State Bar and eligible to practice under Registered Legal Aid Attorney program. If registered under the RLAA Program, must become admitted to the California State Bar within five (5) years. If you are hired as a CRA 1 and later become licensed, you are eligible for an immediate promotion to CRA 2.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Occasional travel required. Ability to travel occasionally for activities such as client meetings, out‑of‑town meetings, team meetings, training, or outreach activities up to 10% of the time. More travel may be required to meet program or contract requirements.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The following describes general working conditions and requirements of the job, which can be performed with or without disability‑related reasonable accommodations.

· Duties are performed in office and home environments and the field in a wide range of settings, including courthouses, congregate care or other institutional settings, and community agencies.

· Duties include frequently communicating with others over online platforms.

· Must be able to transport oneself to work‑related meetings, hearings, facilities, and settings where clients live.