Abuse and Neglect Advocate

Disability Rights Ohio is a nonprofit organization, located in Columbus, Ohio, committed to advocating for an equitable Ohio for people with disabilities. We provide a collaborative, supportive, mission-focused work environment. With a 35-hour work week, flexible scheduling, remote work opportunities, paid holidays, and generous paid time off our organization promotes a healthy work-life balance. Our team members enjoy competitive health, vision, and dental insurance, along with a matching 401K plan.

The Advocate on the Abuse & Neglect Team assists DRO in fulfilling its mission by providing investigation, monitoring, and client advocacy services to and for people with disabilities. This position monitors and investigates rights education and protection violations of individuals/groups with disabilities. The Advocate recommends and advocates for resolution and monitors implementation of a remedial course of action, when necessary, to achieve the necessary education and protection of client rights and systemic or policy change. We are looking for a professional who is dedicated, detail-oriented, and possesses strong analytical, communication, technical/report writing, and team collaboration skills

Disability Rights Ohio is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and places a high value on diversity in our workplace, including diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, and disability. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable laws. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please let us know. Please only share the accommodation requested and do not share your diagnosis or medical information.

Job Duties for Advocate:

• In consultation with team leader, team members and/or agency staff from other teams conducts monitoring activities and the investigations of complaints regarding human, civil and legal rights of agency clients.

• Ability to work as a collaborative member of a team and alone as job responsibilities require.

• Contacts individuals and conducts interviews of the complainants, clients, witnesses, and any other relevant parties or individuals. This may occur in person or over the phone and may involve travel throughout Ohio.

• Obtains and reviews documents including medical, vocational, educational or employment records, legal documents, financial records, investigative reports, coroner reports, police reports, service plans and other pertinent documents (electronic or other formats).

• In consultation with team leader or legal staff, makes preliminary determination concerning merits of complaints alleging human, civil, and legal rights violations.

• Conducts onsite monitoring and investigations activities to identify compliance with and/or violations of State and/or federal laws, including violations of civil, human, and legal rights, health and safety regulations, job site accessibility, physical space/environmental inspections, standards of care and illegal or unethical behavior impacting people with disabilities; investigates any violations discovered.

• Prepares confidential monitoring and investigation reports and recommendations, maintains files, and records and follows up cases by intervening and negotiating for appropriate remedies and monitoring compliance with applicable laws, policies or standards.

In collaboration with Team Leader refers/identifies cases where legal evaluation is necessary for resolution. Under supervision of legal staff, documents and prepares cases for negotiations or hearings and, where permitted by law and office policy, may represent clients at administrative hearings.

• Identifies trends and patterns and matters for opening investigations or making recommendations for changes in rules, policies and practices based on review of information including client records and complaints and reviews of unusual incident data.

• Maintains up-to-date, organized case files in accordance with state and federal legal and professional standards, tracks actual and appropriate hours on all matters.

• Attends conferences and participates in continuing education as assigned.

• Assists with development of materials for agency publications and conducts public speaking to clients and related groups as assigned.

• Demonstrates commitment to ongoing learning and continuing education.

• Demonstrates commitment to continuous quality improvement and innovation.

• Demonstrates willingness to help mentor new staff/peers.

• Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications:

• An Associate of Arts in Social Work degree or an Associate of Applied Science in Social Work & Human Services degree with demonstrated 2 years paid full time work experience in social services may substitute for a Bachelor’s degree.

• Individuals with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or Social Services academic field are also encouraged to apply.

• Commitment to mission of the P & A and to the legal, civil, and human rights of all people.

• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion practices for all people.

• Understanding of and commitment to client directed advocacy.

• Commitment to team and cross-team collaboration.

• Awareness of issues important to people with disabilities.

• Knowledge of community resources, service delivery systems, familiarity with statutes, rules and standards governing providers of services to people with disabilities

• Proficiency in oral and written communication, computer literacy.

• Strong organizational and good, writing skills

• Ability to work with team members, agency staff, other professionals, and individuals with disabilities from a variety of cultural backgrounds and abilities.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and to deal effectively with and negotiate through confrontational situations and stressful interactions.

• Ability to travel.

• Ability to meet deadlines

• Valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.

• A professional license is not required for this position.

• This position is not intended for a practicing attorney.

Job Type:

• Full-time 35 hours/week

• Bargaining Unit

Experience:

• Three (3) years of demonstrated paid work experience with individuals with disabilities.

• Experience interviewing children and adults with disabilities preferred.

• Experience working with under-served and culturally diverse populations preferred.

• Experience working with youth in residential treatment, child protective, and/or foster care settings desired.

• One (1) year of experience conducting investigations and/or inspections is preferred.

Education:

• Associate of Arts in Social Work or Associate of Applied Science in Social Work & Human Services Degree with 2 years paid full time work experience in Social Services.

• Alternatively, candidates with a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or a related Social Services field are also encouraged to apply.

Compensation:

• Salary starting at $24.94 per hour, with opportunities for increase based on experience

DRO offers an attractive compensation package including the following Benefits:

• Health Insurance.

• Paid dental, vision, short-term, long-term, and life insurance coverage.

• Retirement plan with company match.

• 14 days personal time accrued first year, with step increases after one, five, and eight years of service.

• 14 paid holidays

• A fun, collaborative culture that promotes advocating for and protecting the rights of people with disabilities.

Job Type: Full-time

Expected hours: 35 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• No nights

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Columbus, OH 43215

Salary : $25