Montana Career Opportunity – Education Advocacy Specialist – Disability Rights Montana

Disability Rights Montana (DRM) is the civil rights protection and advocacy system for Montana. We are an independent, publically funded, non-profit law firm, mandated by federal law to protect and advocate for the legal, civil, and human rights of individuals with disabilities. We have the legal authority to represent almost any person with a disability in a broad range of matters from employment discrimination to educational access, in institutions and community settings.

DRM seeks an Advocacy Specialist for our Education Work Unit to directly support and advocate for the legal rights of children with disabilities to access free appropriate K-12 public education. The education advocate maintains a caseload under the supervision of an attorney and also assists the attorney in managing and prosecuting cases through litigation before administrative, state, and federal judges.

The position involves extensive work with children and adults experiencing disabilities including traumatic brain injury, developmental disabilities and mental health issues.

The successful applicant must demonstrate excellence in the following areas: interpersonal communication skills; teamwork; diplomacy; the ability to investigate and analyze complex factual situations; the capacity to understand, interpret, and apply legal authority, including state and federal law and regulation; the ability to independently problem solve and self-educate; the ability to identify, evaluate, successfully negotiate for, and execute solutions; and the ability to produce professional, persuasive writing.

Individual must be self-motivated and have demonstrated ability to perform with minimal supervision in a professional environment. Individual must demonstrate excellent organizational, oral and written communication skills.

Individual must have the ability to efficiently utilize Windows, Windows Explorer, and Microsoft Office suite (primarily Outlook, Word, and Excel) to perform daily tasks. Knowledge of Adobe Acrobat a plus.

Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree required. Master’s degree preferred. Knowledge of K-12 special education and/or federal and state special education law (IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act), traumatic brain injury, mental health, and developmental disabilities services preferred. Experience working with children with disabilities and/or working with school districts a plus. Must have a valid Montana driver’s license as in state travel is required. Criminal and CPS background check required.

Excellent benefits and collegial work environment. Salary DOE.

Send resume and cover letter to Kelli Kaufman, Director of Finance and Administration, Disability Rights Montana, 1022 Chestnut Street, Helena, MT 59601 or email to [email protected] by April 6, 2016.