Advocate​/Investigator; PABRP

REPORTS TO:

PABRP Program Manager

Disability Rights Arizona (DRAZ) is hiring a Staff Advocate/Investigator to work under the Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries with a Representative Payee (PABRP) grant by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA appoints a representative payee when a beneficiary is unable to manage their benefit payments. Under the PABRP grant, the Staff Advocate/Investigator is responsible for conducting methodical, objective reviews of individuals and organizations who serve as representative payees to ensure that beneficiaries’ funds are being appropriately managed.

Work under the PABRP grant is highly specialized and on-the-job training will be provided to help staff develop necessary program-specific knowledge and competencies, but all new hires must already have the minimum education, skills, and experience outlined below.

SSA requires that PABRP staff visit congregate living facilities and individual homes to meet with interviewees in person. As a result, new hires must be able and willing to travel throughout the state and complete in-person reviews as directed by SSA.

Staff Advocates/Investigators are expected to be able to independently complete all the following components of the representative payee review process:

1. Initiating the review process by calling payees and beneficiaries, providing background information on DRAZ’s relationship with the SSA, and scheduling an interview for a later date;

2. Draft confirmation letters to all review participants;

3. Use a standardized form to interview payees about their accounting practices and other duties. Provide training as needed to representative payees on how to fulfill their responsibilities;

4. Conduct a full review of all financial records maintained by the payee to confirm the funds they oversee are being used correctly on behalf of the beneficiaries they serve. Review and analyze financial records to assess violations or potential incidents of mismanagement of beneficiary funds;

5. Input data obtained from bank statements, ledgers, invoices, and receipts into an Excel spreadsheet that summarizes all expenditures made on behalf of beneficiaries for a twelve-month period;

6. Tour the beneficiaries’ living areas and/or worksites for possible health and safety violations, and/or instances of abuse, neglect or exploitation (frequent sites include group homes for people with developmental disabilities, private residences, long‑term care facilities, assisted living centers, behavioral health residential facilities, and adult foster care homes). Document observations, and collect evidence and information as necessary;

7. Use a standardized form to interview beneficiaries to confirm their needs are being met;

8. Synthesize all information gathered during the review and write a report identifying any issues or deficiencies with a payee’s performance and the unmet needs of the beneficiaries;

9. Write a corrective action plan for payees outlining the issues found during the review and the steps they need to take to improve their performance. Follow‑up with the payee to confirm the recommended changes have been made;

10. Collaborate with the PABRP team regarding ongoing reviews;

1. Obtain level 5 government clearance by the United States Government Office of Personnel Management is required for this position.

2. Maintain confidentiality and be discreet with highly-sensitive and confidential information.

3. Statewide travel including occasional overnight stays. Occasionally work long hours and/or weekends.

4. Interact with people with disabilities.

6. Input and access data in the required databases.

7. Conduct community outreach and education;

8. Provide information and assistance to DRAZ clients in adherence with agency standards on an ongoing basis;

9. Provide input in the planning and evaluation of the work of the agency as needed; and

10. Comply with Social Security and DRAZ protocols.

1. Bachelor’s degree in social service or law‑related discipline, or equivalent.

2. A minimum of two (2) years previous experience conducting…