Disability Rights NJ seeks a full-time managing attorney to lead our Community Inclusion team. The Community Inclusion team focuses on New Jersey adults living in their own homes, family homes, or other community settings like group homes or supervised apartments. This position offers a unique opportunity to combine individual legal representation with systemic advocacy on legal issues that affect adults with disabilities in New Jersey, including access to adequate community-based services and supports, Medicaid eligibility, accessibility in places of public accommodation, and preventing unnecessary guardianship. 

Disability Rights New Jersey is the designated Protection and Advocacy system for people with disabilities in the diverse state of New Jersey. We provide individual and systemic advocacy to protect the legal, civil, and human rights of people with disabilities.

The managing attorney will lead a team of three to five staff, including attorneys and advocates from other disciplines, and report to the legal director. The position requires the ability to lead a small team, organize multiple projects, and communicate effectively with both senior management and staff. A well-qualified candidate will also have strong research, writing, and verbal advocacy skills, as well as experience in policy advocacy, outreach, and outward-facing education and training. Disability Rights NJ serves clients statewide, including those with limited access to technology or transportation, requiring regular travel by car. 

The position will begin on December 1, 2023, or as soon thereafter as possible. The position requires a minimum of five years’ experience in public interest/civil rights practice including two years of supervisory experience. The salary for this position will be based on experience starting at $95,000 per year for the minimum requirements and up to $110,000 for attorneys with 10 or more years of experience including at least three years of supervisory experience.

Responsibilities:

• Provide direct legal assistance, ranging from legal advice to full representation of individual clients. A successful candidate will be proficient in legal research, writing, document review, counseling clients on potential courses of action, negotiating formally or informally with third parties, and representation in court or administrative hearings.

• Supervise administrative functions on the team of three to five staff, including assigning cases to staff, approving team time sheets, ensuring accurate team use of case management system, selection of correct funding source, timeliness of notes, RPC compliance, and case closures.

• Contribute to systemic legal work, policy comments, legislative testimony, letter briefs, and other materials pertaining to our policy work. 

• Deliver regular written updates on team activities in support of reports to our board of directors, grantors, or other outward reporting.

• Assist with the development of strategies to advance the goals and priorities of the agency, including internal trainings for staff. 

• Complete legal research and memos in novel areas of law to support our advocacy efforts both on behalf of individual clients and for our systemic projects.

• Prepare self-advocacy and other outward-facing educational materials.

• Participate in and present relevant webinars and trainings.

• Ensure accurate documentation for compliance with grant reporting requirements, including assuming primary responsibility to coordinate reporting for specific grants as needed.

• Supervise and promote accountability on a team of 3-5 attorneys or advocates from other disciplines in all the above areas.

• Mentor and train less experienced staff on the team.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of five years’ experience in public interest/civil rights practice including two years of supervisory experience (or the equivalent).
• Relevant legal experience is preferred including legal representation of clients with mental illness or developmental disabilities.
• Expertise (or a willingness to develop expertise) in disability law, Medicaid, anti-discrimination law, and other areas in response to the needs of our clientele.
• Experience in litigation, formal policy work, or administrative hearings preferred, but other related relevant experience will be considered.
• J.D. and admission to practice law in New Jersey or an ability to gain admission within one year.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365, Teams, Zoom, and other frequently used computer programs. 
• Highly organized with excellent attention to detail. 
• Ability to analyze complex problems and develop creative and practical solutions. 
• Excellent written and oral communication, research, and analytical skills. 
• Ability to present information in an accessible way to various audiences.
• Experience working inclusively with individuals with disabilities as well as low-income, immigrant, or minority populations preferred.  Bilingual candidates encouraged to apply.

Disability Rights NJ seeks candidates committed to diversity and to the rights of individuals with disabilities to full inclusion in society. Disability Rights NJ staff work under a hybrid office model, with some work from home. Disability Rights NJ requires COVID-19 vaccination for all staff, with exemptions available in accordance with federal law.

Disability Rights NJ is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. 

Interested applicants should email a resume, letter of interest and writing sample to: Interview Committee, Disability Rights NJ at [email protected]

Disability Rights NJ seeks a staff attorney for a one-year full- or part- time position. The staff attorney’s responsibilities will focus on advocacy and assistance for people with disabilities facing termination from Medicaid or adverse decision on Medicaid Private Duty Nursing. Attorneys with 3 to 8 years’ experience handling Medicaid eligibility matters with a demonstrated commitment to disability rights are eligible to apply for a full-time position.  Attorneys with more than 8 years of relevant experience are eligible to apply for a part-time position. Past work experience, legal internships, or clinical work in public interest is preferred.  A successful applicant will have the demonstrated ability to handle Medicaid Fair Hearings immediately with minimal substantive training.   

This position will primarily provide individual legal advocacy for clients, but may also contribute to Disability Rights NJ’s policy work and outreach/training efforts.  This is a temporary, one-year position.  Extension of the position beyond one year is possible, but not guaranteed. 

Disability Rights New Jersey is the designated protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities in the diverse state of New Jersey, providing individual and systemic advocacy and legal representation, training, technical assistance, and outreach to protect legal, civil, and human rights. 

This position will begin in October 2023, or as soon thereafter as possible. The salary for this position will be based on years of relevant legal experience beginning at $79,000 per year and up to $91,000 per year for full-time.   

RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Provide direct legal assistance to individual clients, ranging from self-advocacy assistance to full representation. This includes legal research, legal writing, reviewing documents, counseling clients on potential courses of action, negotiating formally or informally with adversaries, and representation in court or administrative hearings. 
• Contribute to policy comments, letter briefs, and other materials pertaining to our policy work.  
• Assist with the development of strategies to advance the goals and priorities of the agency as required under federal law.  
• Complete legal research and memos to support our advocacy efforts both on behalf of our individual clients and for our systemic projects 

• Prepare self-advocacy and other outward-facing educational materials. 
• Participate in and present relevant webinars and trainings. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Law degree and admission to practice law in New Jersey immediately upon hire.  
• Three (3) to eight (8) years of relevant experience to be considered for a full-time position, OR more than eight (8) years of relevant experience to be considered for a part-time position.  Experience must demonstrate an ability to immediately handle representation of clients in Medicaid Fair Hearings without the need for extensive training. 
• Ability to analyze complex problems and develop creative and practical solutions.  
• Excellent written and oral communication, research, analytical skills.  
• Ability to present information in an accessible way to various audiences. 
• Cultural competence: experience working with individuals with disabilities as well as low-income, immigrant, or minority populations preferred.  
• Experience working within a legal public interest field.  
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365, Teams, Zoom, and other frequently used computer programs.  
• Highly organized with excellent attention to detail.  

Disability Rights NJ seeks candidates committed to diversity and to the rights of individuals with disabilities to full inclusion in society.  Disability Rights NJ staff work under a hybrid telework model, with some work from home. Disability Rights NJ requires COVID-19 vaccination for all staff, with exemptions available in accordance with federal law.  

Disability Rights is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace.   

Interested applicants should email a resume, letter of interest and writing sample to: Interview Committee, Disability Rights New Jersey at [email protected]. 

Disability Rights New Jersey is the designated protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities in the diverse state of New Jersey, providing individual and systemic advocacy and legal representation, training and technical assistance and outreach in order to protect legal, civil, and human rights. The Richard West Assistive Technology Advocacy Center (ATAC) is the designated implementing agency for the federal Assistive Technology Act. This position is funded through a grant award issued under the authority of Section 2501 of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, P.L. 117-2.

Disability Rights NJ is seeking a full-time Assistive Technology Social Supports Specialist to join the ATAC team. This position will begin as soon as possible. The salary for this position will be based on years of relevant experience beginning at $50,000 per year and up to $55,000 per year.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Create curriculum/public health tools related to telehealth.
• Provide community outreach / training to the aging and disability population on the use of telehealth / smart home devices.
• Collaborate with the National Disability Institute low interest AT loan program to expand the target market and expand/diversify loans.
• Cultivate partnerships with state and local agencies supporting the aging and disability community throughout New Jersey.
• Conduct outreach activities to the aging and disability community, especially the underserved populations across New Jersey.
• Provide technical assistance to agencies / organizations across New Jersey with regards to web / document accessibility in order to ensure effective / accessible communications with the aging and disability communities.
• Provide support to public health entities to explore remote monitoring supports to address staff shortages and promote community independence.
• Enhance public awareness of AT devices and services (specifically public health related) through community outreach and media campaigns.
• Data entry and report submission for federal and state reporting requirements
• Demonstration of assistive technology devices
• Travel across NJ meeting with ATAC staff/partners, individuals, families and community stakeholders.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree in any field from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of experience working with assistive technology and/or providing outreach to aging/disability populations; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

• Candidate must have knowledge of:
  • Broad scope of the assistive technology field;
  • Disabilities and the impact of technology;
  • Assistive technology devices across disability areas;
  • Assessment, training, and planning strategies;
  • Computer software/hardware
• Strong organizational skills and time management skills. 
• Ability to:
  • Communicate effectively orally and in writing with people with disabilities, families, staff, and other professionals;
  • Establish and maintain good working relationships;
  • Troubleshoot problems effectively;
  • Develop and implement effective outreach strategies;
  • Provide technical assistance to individuals, programs and agencies;
  • Work independently in a variety of settings.

Disability Rights NJ seeks candidates committed to diversity and to the rights of individuals with disabilities to full inclusion in society. 

Disability Rights NJ staff work under a hybrid, with some work from home. Disability Rights NJ requires COVID-19 vaccination for all staff, with exemptions available in accordance with federal law.

Disability Rights NJ is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Interested applicants should email a resume, letter of interest and writing sample to: Interview Committee, Disability Rights New Jersey at [email protected].

Protections and Advocacy for Beneficiaries with Representative Payees

Disability Rights New Jersey seeks a full-time, entry-level advocate/representative payee reviewer to work with our Representative Payee team. Responsibilities include conducting onsite visits, interviewing beneficiaries, legal guardians, and representative payees, reviewing and analyzing confidential financial records, monitoring various settings for abuse and neglect, and preparing timely and comprehensive reports. Candidate should have at least one year of experience in working with people with disabilities.  Government clearance through the US Government Office of Personnel Management and driver’s license required. 

Disability Rights New Jersey is the designated protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities in the diverse state of New Jersey, providing individual and systemic advocacy and legal representation, training, technical assistance, and outreach in order to protect legal, civil, and human rights.

This position will begin on December 1, 2023, or as soon thereafter as possible. The salary for this position will be based on years of relevant experience beginning at $50,600 per year and up to $56,600 per year.

Responsibilities:

• Uses established protocols to schedule and conduct reviews of organizations and individuals serving as representative payees as assigned by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
• Interviews beneficiaries, representative payees, legal guardians and third parties using specific protocols.
• Reviews and analyzes confidential financial records.
• Adheres to strict deadlines and prepares timely confidential reports.
• Adheres to policies and procedures mandated by SSA.
• Develops and implements corrective action plans to correct deficiencies found during the review.
• Monitors places of employment and residence for abuse, neglect, health and safety issues.
• Refers beneficiaries to Disability Rights NJ Intake and outside agencies for advocacy assistance as appropriate.
• Participates in outreach, education and training activities as required by SSA/DRNJ.

Qualifications:

• Entry level to five (0-5) years of experience.
• Bachelors degree in human services or related field.
• Government Clearance through the US Office of Personnel Management required – process to obtain clearance will begin immediately upon hire
• Driver’s license required, with a willingness to travel on a regular basis.
• Highly organized with excellent attention to detail. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with strong interpersonal skills to conduct effective interviews.
• Ability to adhere to strict timelines, policies, and procedures as required by SSA.
• Cultural competence: experience working with individuals with disabilities as well as low-income, immigrant, or minority populations preferred. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365, Teams, Zoom, and other frequently used computer programs. 

Disability Rights NJ seeks candidates committed to diversity and to the rights of individuals with disabilities to full inclusion in society.  Presently, Disability Rights NJ staff work under a hybrid, with some limited from home as work permits. Disability Rights NJ requires COVID-19 vaccination for all staff, with exemptions available in accordance with federal law.

Disability Rights NJ is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Disability Rights is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Interested applicants should email a resume, letter of interest and writing sample to: Interview Committee, Disability Rights New Jersey at [email protected].

Date:  October 2023