Job Description

AGENCY DESCRIPTION

Disability Rights Connecticut, Inc. (“DRCT”) is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the civil and human rights of persons with disabilities in Connecticut. DRCT’s mission is to advocate, educate, investigate, and pursue legal, administrative, and other appropriate remedies to advance and protect the civil rights of citizens with disabilities to participate equally and fully in all facets of community life in Connecticut.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Intake Coordinator will be responsible for organizing the day-to-day response to and a triage approach to individuals with disabilities seeking a response to complaints about their legal rights and abuse and neglect allegations.  They will provide professional responses to individuals seeking information or complaints about legal rights including but not limited to abuse and neglect, education, including special education and higher education, employment, healthcare, community living, housing, and others. They will be knowledgeable about information and referral, and resource navigation specific to other non-profit organizations that may be of assistance. They will exercise professional etiquette and sound judgement in a high demand and fast paced environment with a dynamic team of advocates and attorneys who work cross-functionally in each of these issue areas. The successful candidate will report to the DRCT Legal Director and be responsible for day-to-day supervision of intake staff in coordination with other attorneys with subject matter expertise.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

32-40 hours per week is considered full-time for purposes of benefits. Final determination about weekly hourly allocation will be made based on budget and the qualifications of the successful candidate.

The benefit package for the position includes the opportunity to enroll in DRCT-sponsored medical, dental and/or vision insurance plans. To assist with premiums, DRCT currently covers 90% of the cost.  The employee’s 10% share is paid through payroll deduction (before tax). Employees who enroll in DRCT’s medical plan are also provided a $2,500 annual allotment to a Health Reimbursement Account which may be utilized at the employee’s discretion to reimburse themselves for qualified out-of-pocket medical expenses. Employees who choose not to enroll in a medical, dental or vision plan receive a monthly waiver credit of $200 as additional salary ($92.31 per paycheck).

In addition to health insurance, benefits include term life insurance ($50,000), an employee assistance program, and long-term and short-term disability insurances at no cost to the employee. 

Employees are also immediately eligible to participate in DRCT’s 401k program which includes an employer contribution equal to 4% of your salary regardless of whether you choose to contribute.

INTAKE COORDINATOR DUTIES

Job duties include, but are not limited to:

General Duties

• Communicate with individuals with disabilities to evaluate their request for assistance, including relevant facts and information.
• Communicate with other agencies and organizations to develop an understanding of their programs and services to inform proper internal and external referrals.
• Understand and apply confidentiality requirements based on laws applicable to DRCT.
• Participate in meetings related to requests for assistance and other staff meetings.
• Provide back-up support and coverage to staff, as necessary for the intake team.
• Provide day-to-day project management, support, and supervision to the intake team as appropriate and under the direction of the Legal Director.

Record Keeping and Reporting

• Document all contact and information in client services database in a timely manner.
• Assist in data collection and preparation of statistical reports for grant funders, as requested.
• Track, monitor, and document reports received regarding abuse/neglect and other reports regarding people with disabilities and discuss with supervisors when appropriate.
• Assist with trend reporting and monitoring of incoming requests for assistance, response times, and documented outcomes.
• Attend regularly scheduled intake meetings with legal team and the Executive Director.

Supervision/Oversight

• Oversee, assign, and/or directly respond to requests for assistance received by the office (e.g., by email, telephone, fax, mail, online, in-person) in a timely manner.
• Review eligibility for assistance from DRCT. If ineligible, respond as appropriate. 
• Identify complex requests for assistance that require guidance and direction from other staff members.
• Evaluate requests for assistance for potential conflicts of interest.
• Identify appropriate community programs, services, information, and referrals to provide in response to requests for assistance and maintain a library of such resources to share internally with DRCT staff. 
• Provide ongoing support and training to staff in evaluating, responding, and documenting requests for assistance and DRCT’s response (e.g., create and update forms, checklists, and other internal tools).
• Ability to recognize and help resolve barriers when contacting individuals with disabilities in facilities (e.g., hospitals, prisons, nursing homes, substance use treatment centers).

Required Qualifications

• Four years’ relevant experience and at least two years of post-secondary education.
• Employment is contingent upon successfully meeting SSA suitability and certification requirements, including completion of a federal background/security clearance.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Commitment to the mission, vision, and values of Disability Rights Connecticut and to the civil rights of people with disabilities (e.g., self-determination, person-centered services, informed consent, equal opportunity, independence, and inclusion). 
• Sensitivity when communicating and working with vulnerable populations (e.g., disability, life experience with abuse, justice system involved individuals, experience with being unhoused, psychiatric hospitalization, nondominant social group/community).
• Patience and ability to manage stressful interactions, including potentially confrontational situations and the need to resolve them.
• Strong computer and database management skills, including but not limited to Microsoft Office (e.g., Outlook, Word, Teams, Excel,) and web-based record-keeping systems.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Knowledge of healthcare and social service systems.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills.
• Ability to analyze complex problems and develop solutions.
• Ability to maintain accurate and complete records.
• Ability to work independently with appropriate supervision.
• Demonstrated self-motivation in supporting high-need, high-stressed clients in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent personal demeanor and professionalism in responding to highly stressed clients in a fast-paced, high demand work environment
• Ability and a reliable form of transportation to work in the Hartford office, as directed and as requested.
• In-state travel may be requested; thus, candidate will require a reliable form of transportation.
• Out-of-state travel for training and conferences will be requested when required or otherwise necessary.

Other desired qualifications:

• Juris Doctor
• Bilingual in Spanish and/or ASL.
• Knowledge of laws, rights, and services related to individuals with disabilities.
• Experience with and sensitivity to individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, or language communities, including individuals with cognitive, physical, communication, and mental health disabilities and other underserved communities

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

• Disability Rights Connecticut values diversity. Individuals with disabilities, people of color, and other professionals who mirror the representation of people contacting our agency are encouraged to apply.
• DRCT is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are applicants or employees. Applicants interested in seeking reasonable accommodations for the application process should please contact Mary Jane Keane, at DRCT, MaryJane.Keane@disrightsct.org .

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications must include:

• Cover letter outlining interest and qualifications
• Current resume
• Writing sample
• Names and contact information of three professional references

Please forward all application materials to Mary Jane Keane at maryjane.keane@disrightsct.org .

DISCLAIMER

This position description is a general summary of duties and is not all-inclusive. Management reserves the right to modify the position at any time.

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