Attorney & Project Coordinator - Hurricane Harvey Relief Project

You are here

Job location
1500 McGowen St
Houston, TX 77004
United States
Organization information
Organization name: 
Disability Rights Texas
Job type: 
Legal - Civil
Position Description: 

This is a one year project funded by The Greater Houston Community Foundation to provide legal counsel and zealous advocacy to individuals with disabilities impacted by Hurricane Harvey in the areas of housing, access to health and personal support services, community supports, and education.

Job Summary
================
The attorney will provide legal services and determine eligibility for Disability Rights Texas client services. This includes interviewing clients, reviewing records, conducting legal research, negotiating outcomes, and representing clients in administrative hearings and in state and federal judicial proceedings. The attorney assists non attorneys with legal strategy and advice and also provides education and training sessions about the legal rights of people with disabilities for people with disabilities, parents, advocates, and professionals/service providers and the community. Further, this attorney will play a key role in coordinating the project’s implementation and lead efforts to ensure DRTx helps people with disabilities fully exercise their FEMA appeal rights, confront landlord discrimination based on disability, avoid inappropriate institutionalization, obtain accommodations from service system providers, and receive educational services to which they are entitled.

Responsibilities and Duties
==========================
Work in concert with others to implement the project and report on the project's success.
Provide legal services and advice to individuals which may include legal advocacy, negotiation, mediation, litigation and handling of administrative and court proceedings.
Respond to requests for assistance and determines eligibility for services.
Provide direction and technical assistance to Advocates, when appropriate.
Participate in case reviews and provide Advocates with direction on case strategy and legal issues, when appropriate.
Provide technical assistance on an on-going basis to private attorneys representing persons with disabilities
Develop materials for and conduct education and training (E&T) presentations on the project and DRTx.

Benefits and Perks
========================
Paid insurance: health, dental, life, long term care, long term disability.
Vision discount plan
Tax-free spending and savings accounts for healthcare related and dependent day care expenses
Tons of paid time off: 12+ days of accrued paid vacation per year, at hire, increasing with tenure; 12+ days of accrued paid sick time per year, at hire; 2+ days of paid personal time per year, at hire; 15 paid holidays per year, including the the period of December 24 - January 1; up to 6 weeks of paid parental leave for the birth, adoption or foster care placement of a child and up to 4 weeks of paid bereavement leave for the death of certain family members
401(k) retirement account including a contribution made by DRTx, regardless of what an employee does or does not contribute pre-tax or roth
Flexible schedules, compressed work weeks, and opportunities to work via telecommuting are available for certain positions
Certain employees may be eligible for student loan repayment assistance and forgiveness programs

Requirements: 

Qualifications and Skills
=====================
Law Degree and active Texas law license
Two (2) years previous related experience representing persons with disabilities
Project coordination and team leadership skills
Strong and effective written, verbal and negotiating communication skills, including the ability to do so in a concise manner regarding complex issues
Demonstrated experience in public speaking and developing effective informative and persuasive presentations
Demonstrated functional knowledge of complex state and federal laws, rights protection statutes and regulations.
Willingness to take direction and independently follow through on instructions timely.
Exceptional communication and interpersonal relationship skills.
Strong computer / technology literacy.
High commitment to service excellence while maintaining high degree of integrity, ethics and judgement.
Ability to regularly travel throughout Harris County.

Notes: 
About Disability Rights Texas ================================ Disability Rights Texas is the federally designated legal protection and advocacy agency (P&A) for people with disabilities in Texas. Our mission is to help people with disabilities understand and exercise their rights under the law, ensuring their full and equal participation in society. DRTx is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is dedicated to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment upon any unlawful basis. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to inquire about employment. We make reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees who have a disability. If you are in need of an accommodation to apply for one of our positions, contact us at (512)454-4816 and ask for the HR Director. All extended job offers are contingent upon the results of a comprehensive background check. Some jobs require clearning background checks throughout employment. Having a criminal record will not automatically eliminate a job offer. DRTx does not accept resumes or applications for positions not listed. Further, DRTx does not accept unsolicited referrals from any search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered Disability Rights Texas' property, and Disability Rights Texas will not be obligated to pay a referral fee. This includes resumes submitted directly to hiring managers or in any manner outside the identified process detailed above. Benefits listed in job postings are highlighted features of many of the benefit plans sponsored by Disability Rights Texas. Full details of these plans are contained in the legal documents governing the plans. If there is any discrepancy between the plan documents and the information described here, the plan documents will govern. In all cases, the plan documents are the exclusive source for determining rights and benefits under the plans. Participation in the plans does not constitute an employment contract. Benefit plans or practices may be subject to amendment, modification, or termination. Benefits may change during employment; nothing guarantees that any plan provisions will continue in effect for any period of time.
Salary range: 
$55k+ depending on experience
Submission deadline: 
Sunday, April 1, 2018