People with disabilities, people of color, people in all protected classes, and formerly incarcerated people are encouraged to apply. Make a difference! We fight for the rights of people who have disabilities.... JOIN US! 

Equitable and Inclusive Hiring at Disability Rights California (DRC)

At Disability Rights California (DRC), we are committed to creating an equitable, accessible, and inclusive experience for all applicants. Below, we’ve outlined important details to ensure you feel fully supported throughout the hiring process.

Examples of reasonable accommodations include:

• American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation
• Alternative formats for interview materials (e.g., large print, Braille, digital files)
• Interview questions are provided prior to the interview
• Extended interview time
• A quiet or distraction-free interview setting
• Adjustments to the interview format for accessibility (e.g., pinning participants,)
• Assistance with reading or note-taking during interviews

If you require an accommodation due to a disability to complete this application OR you are experiencing issues submitting your application and accompanying materials, please e-mail: talent@disabilityrightsca.org. Please note applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, and writing samples (links or hard copies of published media articles demonstrating work on human interest and civil rights topics) are required and will be reviewed. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

LOCATION:

 Remote- Must live in California 

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: 

 Non-exempt, Full-time (37.5 Hours), Regular  

SALARY RANGE: (Band 6, A-J)

$27.41-$40.23 per hour/$53,560-$78,452 Annually 

As part of our commitment to internal equity, salary offers are determined through a structured analysis that considers each candidate’s relevant education and years of substantially similar experience for the position. We review the candidate’s resume to assess relevant experience in relation to current employees in comparable roles. This process ensures our compensation decisions are fair, consistent, and aligned with organizational equity standards.

EXCELLENT BENEFITS

• 8% Match – 401K
• Health benefits (HMO options) 
• Additional Benefits: dental, vision, basic life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts (medical, dependent care and commuter). Health Reimbursement Accounts for some HMO Plans. Pet Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Teladoc 
• We offer ample vacation, Sick / Self Care time and holidays (including the last week in December) 
• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - eligible employer.  

INTERNAL CANDIDATE ELIGIBILITY

• Regular employees 
• Meet the minimum requirements of the position for which they are applying  
• Employed for more than 6 months
• In good standing 

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Open until filled. Applications should be received by July 10, 2026, to be considered for the first round of interviews.  Resume, cover letter, and writing samples (links or hard copies of published media articles demonstrating work on human interest and civil rights topics) are required and will be reviewed. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

WHO WE ARE

The Protection and Advocacy (P&A) was created in 1975 by Congress after an investigative expose’ by Geraldo Rivera uncovered the inhuman and deplorable abuse of children with disabilities who were housed at the Willowbrook State School on Staten Island, NY. (Willowbrook, the Last Disgrace) As a result, Congress enacted a series of federal laws that gave P&A organizations across the country unfettered access to places where people with disabilities receive services or are housed, including highly restricted settings such as locked institutions, jails, and detention centers. These laws were intended to allow non-government organizations to ensure that facilities, settings, and systems that abuse or victimize people with disabilities are exposed and held accountable.

Disability Rights California (DRC) is the designated P&A organization for California whose mission is to defend, advance, and strengthen the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities. DRC works for a world where all disabled people have power and are treated with dignity and respect. In this world, people with disabilities are supported, valued, included in their communities, afforded the same opportunities as people without disabilities, and make their own decisions.

Investigations Unit (IU)

The Investigations Unit (IU) within DRC is a statewide team of advocates who engage in strategies to eliminate the abuse and neglect of people with disabilities. The unit is comprised of attorneys and investigators. 

Using our federal and state legal access authority that allows our unit to gain access to all environments where people with disabilities receives services, the IU investigates allegations of abuse and neglect in facilities and programs such as state hospitals, developmental centers, nursing facilities, residential homes, community crisis homes, jails, and detention facilities. 

The IU investigates incidents of abuse and neglect, failures of the abuse response system, and the root causes of abuse and neglect of people with disabilities. IU strives to address the intersectional needs of people with all types of disabilities experiencing abuse and neglect, especially those from traditionally underserved and underrepresented populations.

The IU’s investigations support systemic reform, legislative action, policy changes, and community engagement/advocacy.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Disability Rights California (DRC) is seeking a dedicated and experienced journalist to lead our initiative to use high-impact reporting to expose and share the experiences of individuals with disabilities and disabled communities that are victimized by systemic abuse and neglect.

Using DRC’s federal and state Access Authority, the Senior Investigative Reporter will generate narrative-driven written stories centering disability and humanizing victims of abuse and neglect. The Investigative Reporter will also support and/or conduct complex and sensitive in-field investigations and work with affected communities/stakeholders to support the narrative projects.

The stories generated by the Senior Investigative Reporter serve to put a face to the communities most affected by abuse and neglect. The stories will galvanize and unify communities to support lasting changes for people with disabilities through policy, grassroots organizing, and system reform.

As a senior member of the Investigations Unit, this role serves as a subject-matter expert on investigative storytelling and narrative development and provides informal mentorship and guidance to investigators and writers on interviewing techniques, narrative framing, and journalistic best practices 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential functions are the job responsibilities an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. Senior Investigative Reporter essential functions (percentages may be adjusted based on business need):

Investigations – 60%

- Conduct complex and detailed abuse and neglect investigations involving persons with disabilities

- Interview witnesses, victims, and other relevant persons regarding allegations of abuse and neglect involving persons with disabilities and document interview responses

- Conduct facilities and congregate living homes inspections regarding allegations of abuse and neglect involving persons with disabilities

- Request, review, and analyze records and other evidence

- Prepare reports and memoranda which detail the investigation, findings and recommendations for further advocacy or investigatory activities

- Participate with other agencies and organizations to address recurring problems and issues regarding abuse and neglect

- Coordinate in-field investigations

- Assist in the development and implementation of systems reform activities.

Narrative writings – 25%

- Generate compelling narrative writings supported by factual findings

- Draft narratives and reports in close collaboration with investigators, attorneys, and communications staff throughout the investigation and drafting process

- Draft narratives that humanize individuals and communities affected by abuse/neglect by systems, entities, or individuals

- Take the role of DRC beat writer to report on relevant disability issues

- Lead efforts to incorporate journalistic values, integrity, and compelling stories that can galvanize and move communities, systems, lawmakers, and administrators into action

- Generate writings on complex issues that can be understood by public

- Fact check source materials

- Draft clear and concise detailed written documents, including internal memorandum and public reports

- Assist with unit development and planning.

- Participate in one impact team

- Serve as a subject-matter expert on investigative storytelling, narrative ethics, and trauma-informed reporting practice

- Provide informal mentorship, feedback, and guidance to investigators or staff contributing to written narratives or reports

- Support skill-building within the Investigations Unit related to writing, interviewing, and story development

Outreach / Training / Community Organizing – 15%

- Participate with other agencies and organizations to address recurring problems and issues regarding abuse and neglect.

- Engage in community-based advocacy, outreach, and training to disability communities and organizations, particularly to underserved communities.

- Connecting with community members, local leaders and other sources to cultivate strong beats and relationships 

- Prepare training materials, publications, reports and special projects.

Senior Investigative Reporter marginal functions:

- Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no supervisory responsibilities, but the Senior Investigative Reporter is expected to provide informal leadership, mentorship, and subject-matter guidance within the Investigations Unit.

SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE

- Advances the organization’s mission by producing investigations and narratives that promote accountability, protection, and systems improvement

- Identifies and documents patterns of abuse, neglect, or systemic failure, including root causes and contributing factors

- Translates investigative findings into clear recommendations that inform advocacy, enforcement, or corrective and preventive action

- Produces compelling, fact-based narratives that humanize people with disabilities while preserving dignity, consent, and safety

- Applies trauma-informed, disability-affirming, and culturally responsive reporting practices

- Centers the voices and lived experiences of people with disabilities, particularly from underserved or marginalized communities

- Collaborates effectively with investigators, attorneys, communications staff, and impact teams to advance shared goals

- Strengthens partnerships with external agencies, advocates, and organizations addressing abuse and neglect

- Produces writing that makes complex systems and legal issues accessible to the public and decision-makers

- Uses storytelling strategically to inform, engage, and motivate policymakers, administrators, and the public

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

(Applicants MUST meet EACH of the minimum qualifications to be considered for an interview.)

- Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BS) in related subject but may be substituted for 3 years of relevant experience such as intern or work with newsroom or investigative agency.

- 4 years of experience writing for established news or media outlets or magazines. 

- Strong writing and storytelling skills (both long and short form), including high standard of grammar, editing, and adherence to a style guide (like AP style) 

- Strong experience and preference for drafting human interest stories centered around subject perspective

- Experience drafting compelling narratives to drive reader engagement and public understanding of complex issues 

- Demonstrated ability to work independently and under deadline 

- Experience with complex fact investigations and background research 

- Experience conducting interviews with individuals with disabilities 

- Experience gathering and synthesizing relevant information from multiple sources, including documents and interviews

- Experience that demonstrates attention to detail and understanding of confidentiality of client/source information 

- Demonstrated ability to mentor and be a team worker

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

(Applicants DO NOT have to meet any of the Desirable Qualifications to be considered for an interview.)

-Experience with licensing or other agencies which specifically address abuse, neglect, crimes, and quality of care issues affecting people with disabilities. 

- Experience working in advocacy or rights protection on behalf of persons with disabilities. 

- Able to communicate fluently and write effectively in Spanish, or an Asian language; or able to communicate using American Sign Language.

- Experience in the disability rights movement and/or extensive contacts in the disability community.

- Experience with and/or extensive contacts in ethnic or language distinct communities.

- Familiarity and/or extensive contacts with one or more of the following: homelessness, criminal justice, substance abuse or Gay/Lesbian/Bi-Sexual/Transgender/Intersex (LGBTI) communities. 

- Photography and/or videography experience

- Experience with digital editing technology 

- Experience with podcast and other social media production

- Experience with documentary and production

BILINGUAL ABILITY:

N/A

LICENSES / CERTIFICATES

This position has no licenses or certificates requirements.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to travel routinely for activities such as conducting investigations, participating in out-of-town meetings, client visits, inspecting and monitoring facilities, and participating in education, training, or outreach activities up to 25% of the time.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The following describes general working conditions and requirements of the job, which can be performed with or without disability related reasonable accommodations. Duties will be performed in an office environment and remotely. Duties require regular communications over online platforms. Must be able to transport oneself to work-related meetings, training, and community events.

• Duties frequently require lifting and/or moving weights up to 10 pounds.
• Duties require effective and regular communication via online platforms. E-mail, and the ability to travel to meetings and events.