HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATE SENIOR 37122

8/16/90 B

This is the second class in the Human Rights Advocate series of classes responsible for insuring the rights of individuals residing in State operated mental health, mental retardation or correctional facilities, or of disabled citizens who have disputes with service providers and employers. Positions in this class serve as the patient advocate assigned to a mental health/mental retardation facility, as regional ombudsmen for correctional facilities, or as a senior client advocate for disabled private citizens. The work involves program development, implementation and evaluation, with the majority of time devoted to complaint/grievance investigation and resolution. This class is distinguished from the Human Rights Advocate class by its program development and leadership responsibilities. It is distinguished from the Human Rights Community Program Advocate class which develops and coordinates a diverse human rights program for a variety of clients receiving treatment services in a community setting.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of moderate complexity. Positions in this class investigate inmate grievances appealed to the regional level, serve as the patient advocate for a mental health/mental retardation facility, or as a senior advocate for a single statewide program for disabled citizens. Positions devote considerable time to program development and to the investigation, monitoring and resolution of the investigation of complaints or grievances. This class analyzes facility, service provider or employer policy for compliance with federal and state laws and agency regulations to determine its impact on the clients, citizens or inmates. Through data analysis, positions identify dysfunctional program areas and recommend or implement program changes, develop and deliver training programs, and inspect facilities to insure adherence to policy and procedure and treatment standards. Other duties include providing staff support to a local human rights committee and maintaining comprehensive recordkeeping systems to track cases and analyze trends.

Supervision Given: Supervision is typically not a factor; however, positions may train or provide technical consultation to lower level advocates assigned to the agency.

Supervision Received: Receives directions from a Human Services Manager, Human Rights Program Supervisor, or other agency administrator.

Scope: Work affects a segment of the agency's human rights program within a state operated facility, within a specific region of the state, or one subprogram on a statewide basis.

Impact of Actions: Work has significant impact on the quality of life for affected citizens and clients, on the development and operation of the program, and on the public image of the agency.

Personal Contacts: Frequent internal and external contact with clients, families, service providers, advocacy groups, attorneys and state agencies in order to oversee or conduct investigations, provide information, or conduct training.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of human service delivery or correctional systems, of federal and state laws governing or influencing the program, of program policy and procedure, and of interviewing, counseling and negotiation techniques.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to develop and implement components of a statewide program, to analyze problems and recommend solutions, to design and deliver training programs, to maintain comprehensive recordkeeping systems, and to provide technical consultation to others.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in social sciences, counseling, or a related field.

Level and Type of Experience: Experience as a human rights advocate, social worker, counselor, or related occupation which includes involvement in conflict resolution, client intervention, and case investigation.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class was established as part of the Classification Review/Specification Update Program. It replaces the Human Resource Developer B class, effective August 16, 1990.