HUMAN RIGHTS COMMUNITY PROGRAM ADVOCATE 37123

8/16/90 B

This is the third class in the Human Rights Advocate series of classes for positions that insure the rights of individuals residing in State operated facilities or of disabled citizens who have disputes with service providers or employers. Positions in this class protect the rights of clients who receive services in community based treatment programs. This class is distinguished from the Human Rights Senior Advocate by the diversity of programs and clients served. It is distinguished from the Human Rights Program Supervisor class by the latter's formal supervisory duties.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of considerable difficulty which involves program development, implementation and evaluation and operationally discovering facts, interpreting standards, judging compliance, and recommending actions. Positions evaluate community human rights plans and compare them to agency standards. This process is complicated by the requirement of "substantial conformity" and the allowance of variances. Positions train community personnel which requires an assessment of need, the identification of a corrective action, and the formulation and implementation of a method. Positions conduct investigations which may involve sensitive issues with criminal implications and oversee mediation and resolution of client rights. The interpretation of client rights requires analysis of several documents such as statutes, judicial rulings, Attorney General's opinions, agency regulations, and local rules. The relationship which the agency maintains with the community organizations usually requires the incumbents to persuade them to take action and to negotiate agreements, rather than to direct their behavior and to threaten sanctions. Judgment must be exercised to determine when direction should be imposed and sanctions recommended. The large number of organizations which are monitored vary in size, sophistication, resources, services offered, and clients served.

Supervision Given: Supervision is typically not a factor; however, positions do have a leadership role in the area of human rights when they contact community staff. Such leadership is exercised by interpreting standards, citing examples, presenting reasoned arguments, and providing recommendations.

Supervision Received: Positions receive directions from a Human Service Program Manager or other agency administrator.

Scope: Work has serious impact on the agency's community human rights program and on a variety of related agency activities.

Impact of Actions: Work impacts the long-term interests of the agency, the agency's public image, and the life, health and safety of clients.

Personal Contacts: Frequent internal and external contact with community service providers, attorneys, advocacy groups and state and federal agencies to describe the program, explain procedures, recommend action, investigate complaints, and conduct research.

Knowledge: Considerable knowledge of human service delivery systems, of federal and state laws governing or influencing the program, of program policy and procedure, of interviewing, counseling and negotiation techniques, of acceptable therapeutic practices used with diverse clients, and of complaint resolution.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to develop and implement complex local 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: Supervisory experience as a Human Rights Advocate, social worker, counselor or related occupation which included involvement in program development, 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 C class, effective August 16, 1990.