Peer Self-Advocacy Coordinator

Description:

If you require an accommodation due to a disability to complete this application OR you are experiencing issues submitting your application and accompanying materials please e-mail: talent@disabilityrightsca.org

Make a difference! We fight for the rights of people that have disabilities....JOIN US!

We welcome d/Deaf and Disabled applicants to apply

[Location: Remote (Must live in California) San Diego County preferred

SALARY RANGE (Depending on Experience): $25.64-$36.59 hr/$50,000-$71,358 yr

We base salary and position offers on experience and an internal equity analysis.

Employment Status: Non-Exempt; Regular; Full time (37.5 hrs)

EXCELLENT BENEFITS including 8% 401k Match, a language differential up to $250/mo. Health (HMO and PPO options), dental, vision, basic life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance and flexible spending accounts (medical, dependent care and commuter). Additionally, we offer ample vacation, sick/self care leave and eighteen paid holidays (including the last week in December) and more….. We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - eligible employer.

Application Deadline: Open until filled.Applications should be received by January 5, 2024 to be considered for the first round of interviews.

WHO WE ARE

Disability Rights California (DRC) defends, advances, and strengthens the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities.

DRC works for a world where all disabled people have power and are treated with dignity and respect. In this world, people with disabilities are supported, valued, included in their communities, afforded the same opportunities as people without disabilities, and make their own decisions.

DRC values all forms of human diversity. We are committed to a culture of belonging where all people are welcome. In order to be effective advocates for all people with disabilities, we must address discrimination in all its forms, including the unique challenges faced by people who experience the intersection of multiple systems of discrimination.

Peer Self-Advocacy Program

In the Peer Self-Advocacy program (PSA), people with lived experience with mental health disabilities provide peers with Hope, Encouragement, and Empowerment. They share experiences, they help their peers speak up, make decisions, help each other, and live the lives they choose. They facilitate self-advocacy groups and trainings where people live and in the community.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The PSA Coordinator provides peer self-advocacy training for people with mental health disabilities who live primarily in locked residential mental health facilities, state hospitals and in the community. They also develop and revise training materials.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

DRC provides reasonable disability accommodations to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. PSA Coordinator essential functions include:

Advocacy – 75 %

- Plan, organize and facilitate Peer Self-Advocacy trainings

· Provide education to people with mental health disabilities in residential mental health facilities.

· Provide self-advocacy services to people with disabilities from traditionally underserved communities (primarily those who live in locked residential mental health facilities).

· Train on topics such as self-advocacy, conservatorship, employment, housing, patients’ rights, public benefits, and other legal and service rights with the goal to assist participants in becoming their own self-advocates.

· Trainings are provided at the rate of 1 self-advocacy service per 4 hours of work per week, depending on location and type of facility. At minimum 5 weekly trainings are expected.

· Report at least 2 stories per month about the PSA trainings and/or participant’s highlights.

- Develop and revise peer self-advocacy training materials under the supervision of the PSA Supervising Coordinator and Program Manager.

- Perform other duties as assigned.

Supportive Services – 10%

- Provide technical assistance to staff members in collaboration with the PSA Supervising Coordinator and Program Manager to help staff work with people with mental health disabilities in a way that respects a person’s expressed wishes, interests, and needs.

- Participate in DRC Mandatory trainings (virtual and in-person), PSA weekly staff meetings, activities, and agency-wide committees.

Administrative Functions – 15%

- Document training activities and outcomes.

- Complete and submit administrative forms.

- Maintain up to date time tracking.

- Plan work schedule and travel.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Heavy travel may be required: Able to travel routinely for activities such as education, training, outreach activities and out-of-town meetings up to 50% of the time. Must have reliable transportation and possess a valid State of California Real ID or Driver's License.

Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

- Life experience as a person with a mental health disability who is currently receiving or has received mental health services and self- identifies as a peer with a mental health disability.

- High school diploma or general education degree (GED)

- Two years’ experience providing group trainings, or equivalent combination of education and experience; at least one of these years must include experience providing group trainings to clients with mental health disabilities or providing other peer services, such as peer support, peer education or peer self-help.

- One year’s experience developing and revising training materials.

· Experience working with, understanding and valuing people with disabilities from various ethnic- and language-distinct communities. (i.e. Native American, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian/Pacific Islander or African American or others).

· Experience working with, understanding and valuing people with disabilities from traditionally underserved communities (i.e., people from the unhoused, LGBTQ+, ethnic- and language-distinct and rural communities, U.S. veterans, older adults, and others).

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

· Associate's (AA or AS) degree in a related field or equivalent from two-year college or technical school OR Bachelor's (BA or BS) degree in a related field from four-year college OR equivalent combination of experience and/or training.

o Bilingual: Spanish, American Sign Language, or an Asian language.

· Knowledge of the mental health service system and an understanding of relevant Federal and State laws, especially in relationship to disability rights law.

· Knowledge of rights to services, benefits, and legal resources throughout the state available to people with mental health disabilities

· Experience working with service and advocacy providers, volunteer organizations or other community groups.

· Contacts with disability organizations and disability communities.

· Contacts with ethnic- and language-distinct and multi-ethnic communities and organizations.

· Experience with social media.

BILINGUAL ABILITY:

No additional language is required.

LICENSES / CERTIFICATES:

This job has no licenses or certificates requirements.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The following describes general working conditions and requirements of the job, which can be performed with or without disability-related reasonable accommodations:

· Duties are performed in a variety of settings, including office settings, home offices, facilities for people with mental health disabilities (including state hospitals), at conferences and training locations in the field.

· Work areas can be noisy.

· Duties require regular communications over online platforms.

· Weights up to 10 pounds are encountered occasionally.

· Must be able to transport oneself to training sites, work-related meetings, and activities, etc.

· Ability to work evenings and weekends.

· Willingness to travel throughout a regional area of California and occasionally throughout other regions of the state.