Disability Rights Tennessee
Attorney for Children & Youth Program
Disability Rights Tennessee
Job Summary
Disability Rights Tennessee (DRT) seeks an attorney to work with the Children & Youth Program (C&Y). This position will address discrimination and harm experienced by children and youth in Tennessee institutions, community living environments, and schools. This position will work with three advocate/investigators, the program director, and another attorney to address identified areas of work. Ideal candidates possess diverse knowledge of children and youth with disabilities and litigation experience.
NOTE: Vaccination for COVID-19 is required.
NOTE: Only resumes with a cover letter will be considered.
Job Responsibilities
What You’ll Do
- Review requests for DRT services and determine eligibility for services subject to determined case selection criteria
- Provide regular legal oversight and advice to C&Y program staff providing services
- Train program staff, individuals with disabilities, other agencies/organizations
- Represent individuals with disabilities
- File and participate in impact litigation
- Perform activities to address identified systemic issues experienced by children and youth with disabilities. Activities may include:
- council, board, and committee participation
- outreach, information gathering, and presentations
- develop and maintain strategic relationships with state agencies and collaborators
- input into public policy efforts
- file complaints
- draft op-ed, white paper, or other public materials
- collaborate in the development of content for social media and print publications
Qualifications
Keys to Success: Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
To be successful in this job, you must possess these values, skills, and abilities:
- commitment to increasing knowledge of the disability community
- dedication to equity, diversity, and inclusion
- knowledge of juvenile justice and/or educational system
- understanding of IDEA, 504, and related laws/policies
- sensitivity to individual needs and services
- ability to work with a team
- strong oral and written communication skills
- sound professional judgment
- strong organizational and time management skills
- computer and word processing software proficiency
Required: A Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school or other law school approved by the Tennessee Supreme Court, active Tennessee law license or ability to obtain in timely fashion, and litigation experience is required.
Preferred: Five years or more of related experience, preferred. Experience in systemic litigation and/or civil rights cases, especially in areas of juvenile justice and mental health treatment facilities and/or special education, preferred.
Additional Information
Benefits
What Else You Should Know
Equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of DRT’s mission, values, and daily practice. We are an equal opportunity employer, and we actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds to join our team including but not limited to candidates with disabilities, persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, professionals from various generations, and veterans.
The position is full-time. In-office work will be required at times. Remote work will be allowed for portions of this position. The role will require occasional travel throughout Tennessee and overnight travel.
DRT routinely gathers input from Tennesseans with disabilities to help determine program areas of focus. As such, your role may shift if program priorities shift in response to the needs and experiences of Tennesseans with disabilities.
The salary for this position ranges from $50,000 to $60,000. The exact salary depends on experience. We offer excellent benefits such as flexible schedules, remote work, parental leave, paid federal and state holidays, and insurance options including medical, vision, dental, life, and disability.
How to Apply
If this seems like you, please send a resume and cover letter to anna@disabilityrightstn.org
This position will close on June 12, 2022.
Details
- Date Posted: May 25, 2022
- Type: Full-Time
- Job Function: Legal
- Service Area: Social / Human Services
- Salary Range: 50,000-60,000
- Working Hours: 37.5 hrs/wk; M-F, 8:00am - 4:30pm