Voting Rights Outreach Coordinator/Senior Case Advocate

       VOTING RIGHTS OUTREACH COORDINATOR (513637)

WHO WE ARE

The  Alabama  Disabilities  Advocacy  Program  (ADAP)  is  the  federally  funded  protection  and advocacy (P&A) system for the state of Alabama.  For more than forty years, ADAP has worked to  advance  the  rights  of  Alabamians  with  disabilities  in  community  integration,  education, employment,  self-determination, access to healthcare, and safety.  We are Alabama’s only statewide,  cross-disability,  comprehensive  legal  advocacy  organization.  We envision a society where  persons  with  disabilities  are  valued,  exercise self-determination  through  meaningful choices,  and  have  equality  of  opportunity.  Our  work  takes  many  forms:    litigation,  legal representation, advocacy services, investigations, monitoring, community outreach and training, short-term information and referral services, and educating policymakers.

THE POSITION TO BE FILLED

The Senior Case Advocate/Voting Rights Outreach Coordinator (OC) engages in individual and systemic outreach and advocacy to ensure full participation in the electoral process for Alabamians with disabilities, including registering to vote, casting a vote, and accessing polling places. The OC provides outreach and training, information, and technical assistance and direct representation to clients regarding voting rights. The OC works with other agencies and organizations, including state and county election officials, to resolve barriers faced by voters with disabilities.  The OC helps coordinate ADAP’s broader marketing and outreach efforts.   This position may be eligible for remote work.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate in the development and pursuit of election reform activities, including participating on state or local inter-agency task forces and commissions, analyzing proposed regulations, and collaborating on reports, articles, and special projects.
• Participate in collaborative efforts between civil rights organizations, election reform advocates and county election officials to examine and address the challenges facing Alabama’s election system for people with disabilities.
• Provide short-term and technical assistance and referrals to callers, clients, and others with voting related issues.
• Coordinate and staff activities on major election days, including voter hotlines, poll monitoring for accessibility, and (with caller's permission) notifying election officials about access issues to ensure a caller can vote and the problem is resolved so others can vote.
• Assist clients with filing administrative complaints on voting related issues. 
• Prepare written materials and conduct outreach to, and education and training of people with disabilities, particularly those from traditionally underserved communities, community groups, advocates, county elections officials, their staff, and others.
• Design digital and print assets to accomplish ADAP’s overall mission to Alabamians with disabilities and to accomplish strategies identified by each of the agency’s teams. Liaise as needed with graphic and print vendors regarding production of publications.
• Maintain agency’s website and manage social media marketing efforts and help create and implement a social media strategy.

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

• Knowledge of election laws and current voting-related issues.
• Ability to work with community groups.
• Effective oral and written communication skills to prepare policy and training documents, to develop and conduct trainings, and to represent clients in meetings.
• Commitment to outreaching to people with disabilities, including those from underserved communities.
• Demonstrated abilities in communication and marketing.
• Ability to work independently while being supervised and supported by managers and other team members.
• Ability to juggle multiple projects at the same time.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree and two (2) years of experience as a lawyer, educator, paralegal, advocate or in community outreach; OR Master's degree and some work experience as a lawyer, educator, paralegal, advocate or in community outreach. Requires extensive in-state Alabama travel, frequently overnight. Use of personal car for business travel may be necessary at times. Must have valid U.S. driver's license. Must be at least 21 years of age at time of hire and have an acceptable Motor Vehicle Report as determined by the insurance carrier.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, political science, communication, marketing, or legal studies
• Master’s degree in social work, political studies, communication, marketing or legal studies
• Work experience as an advocate or in communication and marketing
• Knowledge of election laws and current voting-related issues
• Knowledge of laws, rights, and services as they pertain to people with disabilities, and/or direct representation of people with disabilities.
• Experience in the disability rights movement and/or extensive contacts in the disability community.
• Ability to read, write and speak Spanish or communicate using American Sign Language, with competent fluency.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

August 13, 2021

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Visit UA’s employment website at jobs.ua.edu for more information. The University of Alabama is an equal-opportunity employer (EOE), including an EOE of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.