Supervising Advocacy Specialist - Advocacy & Representation

Disability Rights Wisconsin

Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW) is Wisconsin’s Protection and Advocacy system. The agency is charged with protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities and keeping them free from abuse and neglect. We employ advocates and attorneys to provide casework and systems advocacy that achieve positive changes for people with disabilities and their families. We value employees who share this mission, offering a supportive environment, talented colleagues, excellent benefits, and generous leave.

DRW has offices in Milwaukee and Madison. This position may be assigned to either location, according to the applicant’s residence. The role is not eligible for fully remote work, but DRW follows a hybrid work policy.

Managing Attorney

$64,520 – $80,404 annually.

• Protection & Advocacy – addressing abuse/neglect, discrimination, access to services, education rights, institutional monitoring, and systemic reform.
• Disability Benefits Specialist – assisting clients with Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance.
• Family Care & IRIS Ombudsman – supporting clients to remain in community‑based settings.
• Victim Advocacy – representing and advocating for crime victims with disabilities.

The Supervising Advocacy Specialist oversees a team of Advocacy Specialists who provide individual and systemic advocacy for children and adults with disabilities. The role includes case strategy development, workload management, portfolio oversight, staff supervision, client services, and community engagement.

• Lead and support a team of Advocacy Specialists (40%)
• Assess and assign cases to team members
• Facilitate individual and team meetings; advise on casework and development
• Attend staff and case‑related meetings; present reports
• Oversee data tools to maintain accurate case records
• Provide overall supervision: onboarding, coaching, performance reviews, recruitment, professional development, and workload management
• Collaborate with external entities and internal stakeholders
• Provide direct services to clients: conduct needs assessments, refer to service providers, coordinate with attorneys in court proceedings (20%)
• Document grievances and appeals; coordinate administrative hearings
• Support informal resolution and self‑advocacy; develop person‑specific strategies and skills to empower clients
• Administer team communications: monitor notifications, distribute correspondence, prepare agendas, take minutes, maintain client casefiles, and compile statistical data (20%)
• Analyze trends and outcomes; prepare annual program reports
• Engage with local, state, and federal agencies; attend meetings; represent DRW on task forces, coalitions, and committees (20%)
• Provide internal and external training; develop educational materials
• Adhere to DRW policies, procedures, confidentiality, and security
• Participate in DRW all‑staff meetings and committees; perform other related duties as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree or four years of paid advocacy work with vulnerable people, considered equivalent
• Experience in individual casework: case management, advocacy, investigation, negotiation, or mediation
• Experience working with culturally diverse backgrounds
• Computer skills: email, word processing, accurate case file maintenance
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team; manage multiple cases simultaneously
• Previous supervisory experience

• Direct contact or experience with persons with disabilities or social justice movements
• Knowledge of Wisconsin disability‑related services and legal resources (Family Care, IRIS, community mental health, child protective services)
• Experience with case development, strategy, and workload management
• Proficiency in Spanish, Hmong, or ASL, with English, preferred
• Experience with Microsoft Edge, Teams, SharePoint, and Outlook
• Advocacy experience: outreach, training, or technical assistance

• Stationary position, standing or sitting for 27–40+ hours per week
• Moving between work sites: 10 hours or less per week
• Repetitive wrist, hand, and finger…