Executive Director
Denver, Colorado
(Salary Range: $150,000 - $180,000 annually + benefits)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Led by a mission to protect and promote the rights of people with disabilities and older people in Colorado through direct legal representation, advocacy, education, and legislative analysis, Disability Law Colorado (DLC) has represented more than 35,000people with disabilities, provided technical assistance to more than 130,000 people, and reached over 100,000 Coloradans through their education programs and publications over its 50-year history. Building upon this track record of success, DLC now seeks nominations and applications for its next Executive Director (ED).
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the next ED will lead a highly qualified team of 21 dedicated staff delivering individual services, fostering statewide self-advocacy, and pursuing strategic litigation. The ED will oversee all internal finances and the management of a roughly $3 million annual budget. They will also ensure compliance with legal and funder requirements, safeguarding the short- and long-term fiscal and programmatic health of the organization.
DLC seeks an inspiring and skilled leader who will establish strong collaborative relationships, both internally and externally, and work to articulate and implement a strategic vision for the next phase of the organization.
The ideal candidate will have significant nonprofit leadership and management experience within disability rights, legal advocacy, or a closely related field. Strong candidates will demonstrate commitment to advocating for the rights of people with disabilities and the ability to mobilize support both internally and externally for strengthening systems and community supports on behalf of the populations DLC serves.
The ED will have a strong ability to effectively empower staff and collaborate with the Board. The ED will represent DLC publicly and will continue to elevate the organization’s profile as a critical, impactful agency, both across the state and nationwide.
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FACING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The following duties are an overview of the primary duties and responsibilities of the Executive Director and should not be considered an all-inclusive list:
- Provides strategic leadership and effective management of the agency including program planning, compliance, development, budget, and financial oversight.
- Builds a robust, collaborative culture of transparency, active communication, and shared inclusive leadership, working to envision and implement a cohesive organization driven to provide excellent services and one that more fully represents the diversity of Colorado.
- Prioritizes areas in which DLC can optimize operations by reviewing existing internal IT and Human Resource systems in particular, as well as information management practices, and identifying opportunities for advancement.
- Cultivates a strong working relationship with the Board of Directors through effective and
- responsive engagement with all members, both at and between Board meetings.
- Explores cultivation of new donors and stewardship opportunities, identifying and pursuing the potential to broaden and diversify the funding base beyond the current revenue streams.
- In partnership with the Board of Directors and staff, develops, implements, and communicates DLC’s strategic vision among legislators, key partners, and stakeholders.
- Enhances the capacity of the agency to address and evaluate client needs, service priorities, and emerging issues impacting client needs.
- Raises the visibility of DLC by identifying and cultivating strategic and robust relationships with cross-sector partners, key decision-makers, and other relevant local, statewide, and national organizations.
- Guides and supports community organizing and advocacy initiatives.
Serves as an ambassador for DLC internally and externally, inspiring others to take bold action to address systemic issues facing the disability and aging communities.
Directly supervises and mentors the Leadership Team and strives to foster a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.
QUALIFICATIONS OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:
- Significant nonprofit leadership and management experience within disability rights, legal advocacy, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated commitment to advocating for the rights of people with disabilities and older people and the ability to mobilize support both internally and externally for strengthening systems and community support on behalf of the populations DLC serves.
- An inclusive, visionary, and transparent leader with demonstrated experience effectively inspiring and empowering staff, board members, and partners toward greater impact in addition to advancing representation through the cultivation of a diverse and inclusive staff.
- Deep appreciation of, and success in, advocacy, community organizing, and mobilizing at various levels.
- Demonstrated leadership in a complex and dynamic organization, including fiscal oversight and budget development experience, revenue stewardship, and familiarity with fundraising.
- Experience developing or improving organizational capacity, with an eye toward opportunities for process improvement and refinement.
- Demonstrated success, internally and externally, as a consensus builder and collaborator.
- Excellent writing, analytical, and communication skills.
- An underlying commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and an understanding of the culture and specific challenges faced by persons living with disabilities.
- Ability to represent DLC to a variety of stakeholders and intermediaries in a credible and influential way.
- Self-starter with strong ability to manage a diverse, driven, and successful staff.
- An optimistic outlook, along with the humor, integrity, patience, and perseverance necessary to support mission-driven staff, and to advance efforts to ensure persons living with disabilities have greater access to services.
- Work performance consistent with the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Applicants for this position can live anywhere in Colorado or must be willing to relocate to Colorado before they begin the position.
DLC is promoting a mostly remote office work environment, with the understanding that the Executive Director will travel and meet in person as needed for conducting their job functions and collaborating with other staff members, the Board, clients, and partners. The Executive Director often has more in-person and hybrid duties than some other staff members and should be able to access the Denver office space as needed. (DLC currently has office space in Denver, which is available, but not required, for employees’ use.) DLC provides equipment to employees to work successfully in a remote environment, including, but not limited to, laptops and phones.
TO APPLY
DLC provides reasonable disability accommodations to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The salary range for this role is between $150,000 - $180,000 plus health insurance, dental and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, and retirement plan with employer match. Benefits also include a 36-hour full-time work week, sick leave, special needs leave (parental), a minimum of 10 days annual leave during the first year plus eight paid holidays, and paid time off between December 24 and New Year’s Day.
This search is being led by Tamar Datan and Eva Rosenberg of NPAG. Due to the pace of this search, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Candidates may submit their cover letter, outlining their interest and qualifications, along with their resume via NPAG’s website.
Cultivating a diverse and inclusive team of board members, staff members, and partners is an essential component of DLC’s work to advance equity. Candidates of all backgrounds and abilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Client Assistance Program (CAP) Advocate
$60,000-68,800 annually
Location: Anywhere in Colorado (mostly remote work environment)
FLSA Status: EXEMPT, FULL-TIME (36 hours/week)
Reports to: Community Access and Youth Advocacy Team Leader
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Client Assistance Program (CAP) Advocate is responsible for investigating and advocating on behalf of clients who have complaints about services they have or have not received from Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and Centers for Independent Living (CILs). The CAP Advocate gathers information from clients, provides them with information, reviews DVR and CIL files, facilitates information-gathering and dispute resolution with DVR and Centers for Independent Living staff, and provides advocacy to clients. The CAP Advocate stays up to date about the laws and regulations governing DVR and CILs. The CAP Advocate provides training for DVR and CILs about CAP. As appropriate, the CAP Advocate also coordinates with other staff within the P&A on cases, training to the community, and outreach.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
The CAP Advocate reports directly to the Community Access and Youth Advocacy Team Leader. The CAP Advocate has no direct reports.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The following duties are an overview of the primary duties and responsibilities of the CAP Advocate and should not be considered an all-inclusive list:
• Promptly contacts clients after they are assigned to the caseload
• Gathers information from clients to determine appropriate action
• Provides information to clients about DVR’s and CILs’ obligations in the provision of services
• Investigates complaints about DVR and CILs wrongfully denying or delaying services, including issues involving outright or constructive denials, process barriers, and poor communication
• Advocates on behalf of clients who have been wrongfully denied or delayed in the provision of services by DVR or CILs
• Responds to clients promptly from the initial conversation through the resolution of the concerns
Disability Law Colorado: CAP Advocate
• Appropriately and accurately documents and maintains timely records of CAP’s provision of services
• Maintains and keeps up-to-date materials regarding CAP’s work
• Maintains knowledge laws and regulations governing DVR and CILs and serves as one of DLC’s subject matter experts about these issues
• Actively communicates the status of cases to the attorney supervisor and requests guidance throughout case work as appropriate
• Maintains knowledge regarding laws and rules regarding the unlicensed practice of law and does not engage in the unlicensed practice of law
• Respects the values of the disability rights movement, as demonstrated by a commitment to disability culture and language, as well as advancing the public image of DLC as a trusted and competent resource
• Assists with the preparation of federal reports related to CAP
• Monitors case numbers to ensure adequate use of resources and appropriate outreach to boost the effectiveness and reach of the program
• Demonstrates a commitment to customer service, including eliciting feedback through surveys and following up with clients who might be dissatisfied with service or the pace of communication
• Exhibits work performance consistent with the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct and the National Disability Rights Network’s Standards
• Attends DLC meetings and other meetings, as appropriate
• Assists in advocacy work in other areas, as assigned by the Community Access and Youth Advocacy Attorney Team Leader
• Performs other duties, as assigned by the Community Access and Youth Advocacy Attorney Team Leader
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The individual must also possess these qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
• At least 3 years of experience providing direct client services
• Ability to obtain suitability credentials from the Social Security Administration, as required by our grant, within the first six months of employment. You do not need to complete this process before applying for this position. For more information about the process, please see: shorturl.at/abeR6
• Ability to work independently in a hybrid or remote environment, as well as under general supervision and on a team
• Commitment to DLC’s mission, including delivering services with the highest ethics and integrity
• Experience entering data correctly and in a timely manner into a database system such as DLC’s DAD
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building, and collaboration skills to be able to work effectively with others inside and outside of the organization
• Ability to conduct and synthesize research and provide accurate, timely, relevant, and current information to clients
• Ability to manage cases to keep them on track toward resolution and respond to clients’ needs along the way
• Ability to identify issues and potential courses of action within the client complaints.
• Demonstration of appropriate and professional behavior in working with members of the public who may often be in crisis
Disability Law Colorado: CAP Advocate
• A commitment to understanding and updating knowledge about disability legal issues, including how to work with people with disabilities of all kinds
• Proficiency with office technology, databases, Microsoft Suite applications, email, the Internet, and other relevant applications, such as Zoom
• Diligence and attention to detail in maintaining accurate records and following records retention guidelines
• Understanding of and commitment to legal ethics for nonlawyers, the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct, and the National Disability Rights Network’s standards
• At least two years of experience advocating with or for people with disabilities and/or other marginalized populations
• Ability to work nonstandard hours and/or travel, as needed
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
The following qualifications are highly desired to advance DLC’s work, but they are not required:
• Bilingual or multilingual
• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in a relevant field, such as social work, legal studies, or public policy
• Personal or professional experience navigating the VR system
• Experience working with ASL interpreters, assistive technology, people whose primary language is not English, and accessibility problem-solving
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Applicants for this position can live anywhere in Colorado or must be willing to relocate to Colorado before they begin the position.
DLC is promoting a mostly remote work environment, with the understanding that the CAP Advocate will travel and meet in person as needed for conducting their job functions and collaborating with other staff members, the Board, clients, and partners, as needed. (DLC currently has office space in Denver, which is available, but not required, for employees’ use.) DLC provides equipment to employees to work successfully in a remote environment, including, but not limited to, laptops and phones.
DLC provides reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their jobs and participate in the recruitment and interview processes. For support with the application process, please contact Esther Brieno at ebrieno@disabilitylawco.org.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The hiring range for this position is $60,000-$68,800 annually, depending on experience. (For reference, $63,107 represents DLC’s salary for people with 5 years of experience in a similar paid advocate role.) Disability Law Colorado offers competitive salaries; generous leave; and an excellent benefits package, which includes a 403(b)-retirement savings plan and medical, dental, vision, life, and short term and long-term disability insurance. DLC employees also enjoy a 36-hour workweek as full-time employment, as well as flexible hours.
APPLICATION PROCESS
We are committed to having our staff and work reflect our communities. The call of disability rights work is: “Nothing about us without us.’’ We welcome all applicants committed to this work. We highly encourage candidates with disabilities and others with lived experience and diverse backgrounds to apply. We are interested in building a remote statewide team, so we encourage applicants from all parts of the state.
Disability Law Colorado: CAP Advocate
DLC will consider applications as they are received. The position will remain open until filled, but Disability Law Colorado will be considering applications and scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Candidates should submit a cover letter, outlining their interest and qualifications, along with their resume to Esther Brieno at ebrieno@disabilitylawco.org with the subject line: CAP Advocate. Candidates wishing to mail or fax their materials, instead, may send them to:
Esther Brieno, Operations Manager
Disability Law Colorado
455 Sherman Street, Suite 130
Denver, CO 80203
FAX: (303) 722-0720
Disability Law Colorado is committed to providing a work environment that is free of unlawful discrimination and unlawful harassment. Disability Law Colorado’s policy prohibits harassment and discrimination based on age (40 & over); ancestry; national origin or ethnicity; citizenship; immigration status; race; color; hair style or hair texture; marital, registered domestic partner or civil union status; pregnancy and perceived pregnancy (including breastfeeding or related medical conditions); religion; sex; gender, gender identity or expression; sexual orientation or an employer’s perception thereof; wage disclosures; lawful off-duty, off-premises activities; because the person is a victim of a crime, domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking; military or veterans' status; physical or mental disability; family or medical care leave status; or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance or regulation. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
