Advocate-Investigator - Education

Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, Gainesville, Tallahassee; hybrid or fully remote.

$50,000 (May scale up based on experience)

Excellent benefits, including paid vacation, sick leave and personal holidays, contributed employer medical, vision and dental insurance, 401(k) plan with an impressive employer contribution match, Life, LTC, AD&D, short and long‑term disability insurance, generous paid holidays as well as a host of additional optional benefits. Employment at Disability Rights Florida is eligible employment for LRAP and PSLF.

Disability Rights Florida (Disability Rights) is a not‑for‑profit corporation that acts as the state’s federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) System for individuals with disabilities. As Florida’s P&A System, Disability Rights’ mission is to advocate, educate, investigate, and litigate to protect and advance the rights, dignity, equal opportunities, self‑determination, and choices for all people with disabilities.

The Advocate‑Investigator’s primary responsibility is investigating violations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Rehabilitation Act and pursuing advocacy as appropriate to protect the civil rights of students with disabilities and ensure they have access to a free and appropriate public education. Our services are free and confidential. Created within this position is an opportunity to work for a dynamic organization on the front lines of protecting and advocating for the rights of students with disabilities.

Our mission is to advocate, educate, investigate, and litigate to protect and advance the rights, dignity, equal opportunities, self‑determination and choices for all people with disabilities. We are a passionate, highly motivated, dedicated group of professionals and we are looking for exceptional talent, with the same passion for our mission, to join our team.

Our Advocate‑Investigators provide individual advocacy services and engage in systemic advocacy on behalf of individuals with disabilities. The Advocate‑Investigator must be capable of independently handling advocacy matters including by requesting, reviewing and analyzing records, developing case management strategies and representing clients in meetings and negotiations. The Advocate‑Investigator is also required to develop and conduct outreach, education and trainings for students with disabilities and their families, community groups, policy makers, and state agencies.

Prior education advocacy experience is required. Statewide travel and a government clearance by the United States Government Office of Personal Management are required.

The Advocate‑Investigator works under the direct supervision of the Investigations Team Director in collaboration with the Legal Director, other Disability Rights Florida attorneys and advocates.

• Education or experience equivalent to a four‑year undergraduate degree.
• Training, education, and/or experience working with individuals with mental illness and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities is required.
• Advocacy experience in either social or human service, government, public interest, legal, or health care environments required.
• Must possess strong writing and computer skills; prior experience with documenting and maintaining information in electronic case files preferred.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and to deal effectively with and negotiate through confrontational situations and possible stressful interactions.
• Ability to manage individual workloads so that services are delivered timely and appropriately.
• Proficient with PC and Microsoft operating system and Microsoft Office, especially Word.
• Availability to travel, sometimes on short notice, throughout Florida, including rural areas.

• A passion for working with mission‑driven organizations.
• Prior work with a public organization, non‑profit organization or law firm.
• Knowledge of and experience working with people with disabilities.

In an office‑like environment, the individual works at a seated station for several hours each day to access the use of computers, phones,…