Disability Rights Texas (DRTx) is excited to announce that we are now recruiting for a RJI Education Advocate as part of our new Rural Justice Initiative (RJI).
The Rural Justice Initiative Advocate - Education is a project-funded attorney position established as part of Disability Rights Texas' (DRTx) participation in the Rural Justice Initiative (RJI), a collaborative effort designed to expand access to civil legal services for low-income Texans living in designated rural communities and legal-desert counties. The Rural Justice Initiative (RJI) Project Supervisor is responsible for coordinating and managing the day-to-day implementation of Disability Rights Texas' participation in the Texas Access to Justice Foundation Rural Justice Initiative, a five-year, multiregional initiative designed to expand access to civil legal services for low-income Texans with disabilities in designated rural and legal-desert communities.
The Rural Justice Initiative Advocate - Education is a project-funded position established as part of Disability Rights Texas' (DRTx) participation in the Rural Justice Initiative (RJI), a collaborative effort designed to expand access to civil legal services for low-income Texans living in designated rural communities and legal-desert counties.
This is a special project, time-limited position funded specifically for the Rural Justice Initiative. Continued employment in this position is contingent upon the continuation of the project, availability of project funding, and organizational need. The position is not intended to constitute a permanent position beyond the duration of the Rural Justice Initiative or its available funding.
The Advocate is responsible for providing advocacy services to individuals with disabilities, including investigating complaints, monitoring facilities, determining eligibility for services, and delivering non-litigation case support. The Advocate conducts client interviews, reviews records, and supports clients through advocacy and negotiation processes.
The Advocate also drafts letters, complaints, and case notes. In addition, this position contributes to outreach and education efforts relevant to the Issue project’s priorities. This role works under the direction of an Advocate Supervisor.
Local Presence Requirement
Because the Rural Justice Initiative is specifically designed to increase access to legal services within designated rural and legal-desert communities, this position is geographically assigned to an identified RJI service area.
The employee must reside within, or sufficiently near, the assigned service area to maintain a regular and meaningful local presence in the designated counties and communities served by the position. The Advocate must be reasonably available for in-person community outreach, legal clinics, meetings with community partners, and other project activities throughout the assigned service area.
The specific counties and geographic area assigned to the position may be established or modified by DRTx based upon project priorities, community need, grant requirements, and coordination with Rural Justice Initiative partners.
This requirement reflects the project's emphasis on establishing relationships with trusted rural institutions—including schools, libraries, disability-service organizations, medical providers, and faith-based and community organizations—and translating those relationships into meaningful access to legal services.
Special Project / Funding Notice
This position is established specifically to support the Rural Justice Initiative and is funded through project-specific grant funds. It is a time-limited position associated with the duration and funding of the Rural Justice Initiative. Employment in this position does not create a guarantee or expectation of continued employment beyond the project period or the availability of project funding. DRTx may modify the position, geographic assignment, duties, or staffing structure as necessary to meet grant requirements, project priorities, funding availability, and organizational needs.
Essential Functions
Additional Duties
Perform other job-related duties as assigned that are consistent with the scope and level of the position and the purposes of the Rural Justice Initiative.
Required Qualifications
Education
Experience
Knowledge and Skills
Technical Skills
Other Requirements
Preferred Qualifications
Work Environment & Functional Requirements
This position involves regular use of computers, telephones, videoconferencing systems, case-management systems, and other communication tools to perform legal work, including research, documentation, client communication, and collaboration with geographically dispersed colleagues.
Duties may be performed in a seated, standing, or alternative position. The role requires managing multiple priorities, meeting deadlines, traveling throughout the assigned service area, and engaging in complex or sensitive legal matters.
The position includes work performed in a variety of environments, which may include DRTx or partner offices, courthouses, administrative hearing locations, schools, libraries, community organizations, clinics, community events, and other locations within rural communities.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.