Policy Specialist

DRTx is currently searching for a Policy Specialist for the IRCL (Institutional Rights and Civil Liberties) Team. This position will be based in Austin, Texas.

The IRCL team serves persons with mental illness living in institutions and the community, persons with intellectual disabilities living in State Supported Living Centers or other publicly funded large facilities, or who have recently transitioned to the community, and persons with mental illness and/or intellectual disabilities in jails, prisons, and juvenile justice facilities. Services include community integration and prevention of institutionalization, abuse and neglect investigations, advocacy around rights violations, and guardianship restoration.

The primary role of the Policy Specialist is to serve as the in-house expert on assigned issues and to lead the agency’s policy advocacy aimed at improving the lives of persons with disabilities. The Policy Specialist supports case handlers with training and technical assistance and collaborating with team members to identify opportunities for policy advocacy that are well coordinated with other efforts of the organization.

The Policy Specialist conducts policy research, writes policy reports, and provides internal and external training on related issues. The Policy Specialist monitors and reports on legislative and administrative agency actions, responds to requests for information, provides public testimony, and prepares and disseminates comprehensive communications to stakeholders. As a public figure of the organization, the Policy Specialist regularly addresses interested parties in oral presentations, written communications, active participation and leadership on various work groups, advisory boards, task forces, committees, and the like.

The Policy Specialist works with other local, state and national organizations, agencies, legislators, and public officials regarding protecting and advocating the rights of individuals with disabilities. The Policy Specialist also helps draft the agency’s annual grant reports. As needed, the Policy Specialist will assist other teams with other subject matter areas as well.

We are looking for someone who is unafraid to be a public figure, who is ready, willing and able to present information to individuals and groups (large and small), serve actively on work advisory boards, task forces and committees, and be a vocal leader and communicator for the team and Disability Rights Texas in a variety of settings.

This is an opportunity to step into a very significant and big-shoes-to-fill type of role here  are looking forward to seeing some fantastic candidates apply for this position! A copy of the full job description is available below.

• Masters technical information of applicable program areas and relevant statutes and policies. Should be considered a content expert on issue team area of expertise.
• Responsible for identifying major issues and priorities and coordinating information for internal and external distribution.
• Serves as Coordinator for the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) program, including working with the PAIMI Advisory Council and preparing quarterly updates and annual federal reports on the agency’s work for the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration.
• Communicates, instructs, and educates fellow employees and coordinates information flow in order to impart knowledge.
• Develops and updates a written plan within organization’s priorities which identifies major issues or problems, sets out objectives in dealing with issues and outlines an action plan to achieve objectives.
• Provides information about major issues and, in…