Advocacy Specialist - VAP

Who is Disability Rights Wisconsin?

Disability Rights Wisconsin is the state’s Protection and Advocacy system, charged with protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities and keeping them free from abuse and neglect. Employing a variety of means, our advocates and attorneys use individual casework and systems advocacy to achieve positive changes in the lives of people with disabilities and their families. We are seeking employees who value this work.

In turn, we treat our employees well, offering a supportive environment, talented colleagues, excellent benefits, and generous leave.

• Diversity
• Dignity
• Independence
• Accessibility
• Inclusion
• Human Rights
• Liberation

• Protection & Advocacy for people with disabilities (abuse/neglect, discrimination, access to services, education rights, institutional monitoring, systemic reform)
• Disability Benefits Specialist (helping people access Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance)
• Family Care & IRIS Ombudsman (supporting people to remain in community-based settings)
• Victim Advocacy (advocacy and representation for crime victims with disabilities)

Full Time Equivalent: Full‑time (40 Hours/week)

Rate: $51,000 – $67,000 (annually), depending on Experience.

Location: Anywhere in Wisconsin. If the employee lives within 45 miles of a Disability Rights Wisconsin office, they may work fully in‑office or in a hybrid arrangement. Residency outside the 45‑mile range qualifies for complete remote work.
Applicant must be a Wisconsin resident.

Job

Hours:

Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Final date to receive applications:
February 13, 2026
. Position will remain open until filled.

The Victim Advocacy Program (VAP) of Disability Rights Wisconsin works to ensure that survivors with disabilities receive the advocacy, legal representation, services, and support they need to move forward, find justice, and obtain safety and stability in whatever form they require. A primary goal of VAP is to promote self‑determination for survivors with disabilities.

• Advocacy: 80% Extensive direct client contact providing advocacy statewide, including court proceeding accompaniment, system navigation, and independent judgment on advocacy strategy.
• Administration: 10% Complete intake and case recording forms, maintain accurate records, develop resource files, and comply with client data reporting requirements.
• Outreach: 10% Participate in outreach strategies and events as a representative of the Victim Advocacy Program.

• Required:
  
  At least 6 months of paid or unpaid experience providing advocacy and/or support to victims/survivors of crime, including interviewing people, problem identification and solution planning, and negotiation assistance.
• Excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills; basic computer skills.
• Ability to travel statewide; preferred:
  Fluency or strong proficiency in American Sign Language, Hmong, or Spanish.
• Preferred:
  Direct experience with people with mental illness and other disabilities;
  Bachelor’s Degree relevant to advocacy and support.
• Preferred:
  Working knowledge of state and county victim response programs and services.

Generous employer contribution for individual and family health insurance, plus a Health Reimbursement Account for uncovered health care costs. Employer‑provided Short‑Term and Long‑Term Disability Insurance. 401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Contribution. Flex Spending Account. Dental, Vision, Additional Life, Critical Illness, Identity Theft, Pet Insurance. Public Student Loan Forgiveness eligibility under Section 501(c)(3).

Paid time off policies include 10 fixed and 4 floating holidays, medical and caretaking leave, vacation, and personal bereavement leave. Additional benefits include the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

We are an equal‑opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status, following Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Our organization is committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive environment.

Date of

Job Description:

January 2026