COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Job Posting: Client Assistance Program (CAP) Advocate Pay title:Program Coordinator I (Bargaining Unit 6 NAGE) Annual salary:$64,292.54 - $66,241.24 with full benefits Hours:Full-time (37.5 hours/week) Schedule:Hybrid. In-office (1 Ashburton Place, Boston) two days/week, remote up to 3 days/week Deadline:Applications will be reviewed starting August 27, 2025. Background The Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) provides information, guidance, and training to help the public navigate and understand their disability-related legal rights and obligations under local, state, and federal laws and regulations. MOD is a dynamic state government agency with just under 20 employees that sits within the Massachusetts Executive Office for Administration and Finance (A&F). TheClient Assistance Program(CAP) is a federal grant-funded program within MOD that provides information and advocacy to people receiving vocational rehabilitation from MassAbility or the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) or independent living services from Centers for Independent Living ("clients"). The CAP team is made up of the CAP Director and two CAP Advocates. Job duties The CAP Advocate informs, guides, advocates for, and represents people with disabilities who are receiving or are applying for vocational rehabilitation or independent living (VR/IL) services ("clients and applicants"). This position works under the federal Client Assistance Program (CAP) grant. Specific job duties: Gather facts and assist clients in defining problems and potential strategies and recourse for resolving them under the applicable regulations according to the particulars of the situation Determine and provide the most appropriate method of advocacy to address specific barriers to service and/or improve service delivery for clients or applicants of VR/IL services. Examples of advocacy may include, but are not limited to: o Contacting a third party to address an issue of concern, o Researching, o Attending meetings with the client, o Using creativity to develop a strategy for resolving an issue, o Presenting the position of a client to a third party verbally and in writing, o Providing technical assistance, o Representing clients in administrative reviews, mediations, and fair hearings Draft case summaries and evaluations, position statements, and daily case note · For clients or applicants of VR/IL services, public and private service providers, and program administrators: o Provide oral and written technical assistance about their responsibilities under federal and state vocational rehabilitation and independent living regulations, laws and Executive Orders; o Provide oral and written technical assistance on Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) o Analyze and apply relevant regulations and laws to specific fact scenarios in vocational rehabilitation and independent living o Develop written content on vocational rehabilitation, independent living, and employment rights o Plan and participate in outreach activities throughout the state to promote the CAP program, vocational rehabilitation, independent living, and disability-related employment rights o Support the CAP Director's service on various bodies that promote the vocational rehabilitation and independent living rights of individuals with disabilities o Identify issues that appear to represent a systemic barrier Maintain accurate records of the above, prepare statistical reports, and undertake special projects at the request of the CAP Director Required qualifications · High level critical analysis skills and experience · Bachelor's degree or equivalent education and professional experience, ideally in an area that involves writing and complex analysis · Ability to sift through a lot of information and ask questions to get to what is really going on and the relevant facts · Ability to apply the general principles of a law or regulation to a specific situation · Resilience to handle difficult conversations · Ability to think on your feet and direct a conversation productively and respectfully · Strong research skills to find and evaluate needed information for someone's situation · Ability to communicate complex and nuanced information in digestible language and to adjust your communication depending on the person's needs · Accurate and wary of misinterpretations and assumptions · Ability to develop a position in support of an individual's case and to present it to a third party · Problem solving skills and experience, such as resolving demanding customer service issues and complaints · Excellent judgement for when to consult or ask questions to ensure that you never give out inappropriate guidance · Ability to work independently once trained, using initiative and common sense · Ability to reflect on your work, appreciate what you did well, and identify areas for improvement · Intellectual curiosity and skill at learning a lot of information · Inquisitive and able to quickly assimilate concepts and apply them to the next situation · Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers; clients; service providers; municipal, federal, and state officials; and public and private program administrators · Ability to develop and conduct training · Ability to put yourself in the shoes of people on both sides of a situation and imagine their experience and concerns · Ability to maintain neutrality and diplomatically give someone the benefit of a different perspective · Ability to understand the gravity of a caller's situation without subscribing unquestioningly to their version of events or approach · Ability to work independently and as part of a team · Ability to work with computers, including Microsoft Office · Ability to travel (approximately 15%) Preferred qualifications · Knowledge of benefits and services available to people with disabilities under federal, state and local laws, especially vocational rehabilitation and independent living services and Title I of the ADA · Skill writing concisely using Plain Language principles · Knowledge of the civil rights of people with disabilities and the relevant enforcement procedures · Fluency in ASL or other languages commonly spoken in Massachusetts How to apply Your application must be submitted through MassCareers. Your application must include all of the following: · Your resume, and · Your response to ourexample scenario exercise. Please download the file and upload your responses as part of your application. Do not request edit access. We will begin reviewing applications on August 27, 2025. Interview process There will be two rounds of interviews: · First interview: Remote (on Zoom) with the CAP Director and Disability Rights Unit staff · Second interview: In person at the MOD office (1 Ashburton Place, Boston) with the CAP Director and MOD's Executive Director Applicants may be asked to complete an additional writing exercise as part of the first or second round interview. Benefits Employee benefitscurrently include: · Hybrid work schedule: Can work remotely up to 3 days per week · Paid time off: Personal time, sick time, 12 observed holidays, and 10 days vacation to start · Health, vision, and dental insurance · Generous pension plan with the ability to invest in a deferred compensation program Diversity and reasonable accommodations The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We encourage minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact Meghan Sisk atmeghan.sisk2@mass.govor 617-878-9889. Please do not contact Meghan with general questions about the position. __ First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days. MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative or managerial experience in business administration, business management or public administration the major duties of which involved program management, program administration, program coordination, program planning and/or program analysis, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below. Substitutions: I. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for the required experience. II. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major other than in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience. Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed. An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Job: Administrative Services Organization: Massachusetts Office On Disability Title: *Client Assistance Program Advocate Location: Massachusetts-Boston-1 Ashburton Place Requisition ID: 25000641
