Disability Rights Information Specialist
Job Location:
Boston, MA - USA
Monthly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Department:
Job Summary
Tell us about a friend who might be interested in this job.All privacy rights will be protected.
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 Bachelors or higher degree with a major in business administration business management or public administration may be substituted for the required experience.*
II. A Bachelors 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.
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you your loved ones and your future.
Want the specificsExplore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action minorities veterans and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race religion color sex gender identity or expression sexual orientation age disability national origin veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women Black Indigenous and Persons of Color (BIPOC)may self-select out of opportunities if they dont meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.
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Description - External
Functional Title:Disability Rights Information Specialist
Pay Title: Program Coordinator I (NAGE BU6)
Agency: Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD)
Annual Salary: $65578.50 - $94378.44*
Hours: Full-time 37.5 hours
Schedule: Hybrid - office 2 days and remote 3 days per week
Location: One Ashburton Place Boston
Note: First review of applications will occur on 6/15/26.
*Under Massachusetts new wage transparency law all job postings must include thefull salary range
Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors including the candidates years of directly related experience and education and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Divisions Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management) compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.
What is the Massachusetts Office on Disability
The Disability Rights Unit (DRU) is a small team within MOD that responds to inquiries from the public about disability rights and obligations. We help people understand disability rights and obligations how regulations apply to the specifics of their situation and practical steps they can take to assert rights and comply with the law.
Job Overview
The Disability Rights Information Specialist will work within DRU primarily answering a high volume of inquiries from the public. Inquiries may cover matters related to reasonable accommodation in housing employment and other situations; equal access and barrier removal; how to comply with disability rights laws; and more. These are typically handled over the phone in 1-2 conversations with email follow-ups.
Job duties and responsibilities
1) Respond to disability rights inquiries that may come from people with disabilities employers landlords advocates business owners ADA Coordinators and local government officials etc.
a) Gather facts about the callers situationincluding evaluating and analyzing information they provide; assist the caller in identifying what type of issue they have (e.g. disability rights tenant rights consumer rights customer service looking for services); and help the caller define their goals and priorities.
b) Use plain language to explain what disability rights laws say and how they apply to the specifics of the situation.
c) Perform research as needed. This might be legal research into official guidance wording of the law or case law or research to clarify information about the callers situation or to point them in a sensible direction.
d) Guide callers on productive options for addressing their issue(s) including what they are legally required to do; identify best practices and practical approaches; point callers to organizations that provide the assistance they need; highlight key considerations in choosing how to proceed; and set realistic expectations.
e) Assist callers in wording a reasonable accommodation request verbally or in writing as appropriate.
2) Communicate and maintain clear boundaries and neutrality. MOD is not an enforcement agency and we do not investigate complaints or report complaints elsewhere. MOD cannot intervene in disputes advocate on behalf of callers or provide ongoing support. We give legal information and guidance; we do not give legal advice or provide representation.
3) Maintain accurate records provide information for reports and follow policies including public records protection of private information and record retention.
4) Identify systemic issues and disability rights questions that MOD could address.
5) Undertake individual or team projects such as:
a)Writing/reviewing new guidance and training materials for the public.
b) Participating in outreach activities and events.
c) Writing or updating internal reference materials.
What we are looking for
Essential requirements:
- Ability to gather information by speaking with people examining records and reviewing documents.
- Strong critical analysis skills and experience. Proven problem- solving skills and experience such as resolving demanding customer service issues and complaints.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate complex and nuanced information both orally and in writing using digestible language and adjusting your communication depending on the individuals needs
- Resilience for handling difficult conversations. Ability to think on your feet and direct a conversation productively and respectfully.
- Strong research skills to find and evaluate the information needed to understand a callers situation.
- Reliability and cautious independence. Excellent judgement for when to consult or ask questions to ensure that inappropriate guidance is not given out.
- Intellectual curiosity and ability to quickly learn a lot of new information.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships especially as part of a small team.
- Knowledge and proficiency using computers particularly Microsoft Word Outlook PowerPoint and Excel; virtual platforms such as Zoom/Microsoft Teams; and information data management systems.
- Skill writing concisely using plain language.
- Ability to travel within Massachusetts for events (possibly 1-2 days per year).
Valued Experience/Skills:
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 to diplomatically give someone the benefit of a different perspective. You are accurate and wary of misinterpretations and assumptions.
Knowledge of disability rights laws including complaint and enforcement procedures.
Fluency in ASL and/or other languages commonly spoken in Massachusetts.
How to apply
To be considered for interview your application must include all of the following:
1. A cover letter addressed to the Disability Rights Unit explaining your interest in the position and why you are well suited for it
2. A resume detailing how your experience meets the essential requirements of the job and any valued experience/skills.
3. Your responses to ourexample scenario exercise. Please download the file and attach your edited version with your responses. Do not request edit access.
Interview Process
There will be 2 rounds of interviews.
1. A virtual interview with a few members of MODs team
2. A second-round interview which may be in person so that applicants can complete a case scenario in the office to judge your analysis and problem-solving skills.
Benefits
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 Meighan McCrea . (Please do not contact Meighan with general questions about the position.)
Multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
Executive Order No. 627: Instituting Skills-Based Hiring Practices
Anexecutive orderinstituting skills-based hiring practices for the states workforce. Through this Executive Order for the vast majority ofjob postings the administration will focus primarily on applicants skills knowledge and abilitiesrather than educational credentials.
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you your loved ones and your future.
Want the specificsExplore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action minorities veterans and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race religion color sex gender identity or expression sexual orientation age disability national origin veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women Black Indigenous and Persons of Color (BIPOC)may self-select out of opportunities if they dont meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.
Required Experience:
IC
