Client Assistance Program (CAP) Advocate

Client Assistance Program (CAP) Advocate

ABOUT DISABILITY JUSTICE

Disability Justice is a nonprofit civil rights organization. Over the last 50 years weve led the fight for dignity and inclusion recognizing as Dr. King did that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Our team of advocates attorneys and investigators forms ColoradosProtection and Advocacy system. Our goal: to make Colorado the best place in America for people with disabilities to live work and thrive.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Client Assistance Program (CAP) Advocate provides advocacy for clients who have complaints about services they have or have not received from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and Centers for Independent Living (CILs). The CAP Advocate gathers information from clients provides clients with information about their rights and options reviews DVR and CIL case files and facilitates information-gathering and dispute resolution between clients and DVR/CIL staff.

The CAP Advocate stays current on the laws and regulations governing DVR and CILs and provides training to DVR and CIL staff on CAP. As appropriate the CAP Advocate also coordinates with other Disability Justice staff on cases community trainings and outreach.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The CAP Advocate reports directly to one of the Co-Legal Directors. The CAP Advocate has no direct reports.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties are an overview of the primary duties and responsibilities of the CAP Advocate and should not be considered an all-inclusive list:

• Responds promptly to newly assigned clients and manages cases from initial contact through resolution.
• Gathers information from clients and investigates complaints of wrongful denial or delay of services by DVR or CILs including outright/constructive denials process barriers and communication breakdowns.
• Advocates on behalf of clients informing them of DVRs and CILs service obligations and their rights.
• Documents casework accurately and communicates case status to the attorney supervisor requesting guidance as needed.
• Maintains subject-matter expertise on laws and regulations governing DVR and CILs and stays current on rules regarding the unauthorized practice of law.
• Develops and maintains up-to-date CAP materials fact sheets and resources for clients and the community.
• Conducts outreach for CAP and PABSS programs statewide including transition events (events supporting youth with disabilities as they prepare to move from high school to post-secondary education or employment).
• Represents the organization on community committees (e.g. the State Rehabilitation Council)
• Monitors case numbers and client feedback to ensure effective use of resources and high-quality service.
• Assists with federal reporting requirements related to CAP.
• Upholds the values of the disability rights movement and Disability Justices reputation as a trusted competent resource.
• Performs other duties as assigned including additional advocacy work directed by the Co-Legal Directors and participation in Disability Justice meetings.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The individual must also possess these qualifications:

• Bachelors degree or equivalent work experience
• At least 3 years of experience providing direct client services
• Ability to obtain suitability credentials from the Social Security Administration as required by our grant within the first six months of employment. You do not need to complete this process before applying for this position. For more information about the process please see: to work independently in a hybrid or remote environment as well as under general supervision and on a team
• Experience entering data correctly and in a timely manner into a database system
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstration of appropriate and professional behavior in working with members of the public who may often be in crisis
• Proficiency with office technology databases Microsoft Suite applications email the Internet and other relevant applications such as Zoom
• Understanding of and commitment to legal ethics for nonlawyers
• Ability to work nonstandard hours and/or travel as needed

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The following qualifications are highly desired to advance our work but they are not required:

• Bilingual or multilingual
• Three years experience working with and advocating on behalf of individuals with disabilities
• Bachelors or advanced degree in a relevant field such as social work legal studies or public policy
• Personal or professional experience navigating the vocational rehabilitation system
• Experience working with ASL interpreters assistive technology people whose primary language is not English and accessibility problem-solving

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Applicants for this position must live in Colorado or be willing to relocate to Colorado before beginning employment. We allow employees to work from home or from our Denver office with the understanding that they will meet in person as needed to conduct their job functions and collaborate with colleagues clients and partners. We provide equipment to employees to work successfully in a remote environment including but not limited to laptops and phones.

Disability Justice provides reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their jobs and participate in the recruitment and interview processes. For support with the application process please contact Gina Brown at

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The hiring range is 65000 to 72000 annually depending on experience. This is a full-time position of 36 hours per week. Disability Justice offers paid holidays parental leave annual leave sick leave and bereavement leave; as well as medical vision dental and retirement plans for full-time employees.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Candidates must use Bamboo to submit a cover letter outlining their interest and qualifications along with their resume. Applications submitted on other portals will not be considered. Applications are due by October 19. We will consider applications as they are received.

Disability Justice strives to build a team that reflects the community we serve. The call of disability rights work is: Nothing about us without us. We encourage candidates with disabilities and others with lived experience and diverse backgrounds to apply.

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

Disability Justice prohibits harassment and discrimination based on disability; age; ancestry; national origin or ethnicity; citizenship; immigration status; race; color; hair style or hair texture; marital registered domestic partner or civil union status; pregnancy and perceived pregnancy (including breastfeeding or related medical conditions); religion; sex; gender gender identity or expression; sexual orientation or an employers perception thereof; wage disclosures; lawful off-duty off-premises activities; because the person is a victim of a crime domestic violence sexual assault or stalking; military or veterans status; family or medical care leave status; or any other basis protected by federal state or local law or ordinance or regulation. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including recruiting hiring placement promotion termination layoff recall transfer leaves of absence compensation and training.

Required Experience:

Manager