STAFF ATTORNEY
LEGAL SERVICES FOR CRIME VICTIMS – GENERAL LEGAL SERVICES
OLYMPIA
The Northwest Justice Project (NJP) seeks applications from qualified attorneys to undertake mission directed work to address the civil legal needs of persons who have been victims of crime who experience collateral civil legal needs.
This position is one of several assigned to NJP general field service offices throughout the state. In conjunction with other NJP field staff lawyers, the Olympia VOCA General Legal Services lawyer will provide a full-range of civil legal assistance and representation to crime victims with high priority collateral civil legal needs. The lawyer will collaborate closely with victim and other services agencies, law enforcement and others to identify and address the most pressing legal needs of crime victims in the region. The lawyer will be expected to provide limited assistance, including advice and brief services, as well as representation in litigation, administrative procedures and other legal matters as resources allow.
The position will work as part of a larger team within NJP and will collaborate as part of a broader team of attorneys serving within the Washington Alliance for Equal Justice. Applicants should have a desire to work with crime victims and with the agencies that serve them; and, be interested and willing to pursue civil litigation in areas related to housing, family law, consumer protection, public benefits and health care access, and other collateral impacts of victimization. Such impacts may include employment problems, credit issues, education and discrimination.
GENERAL JOB DUTIES:
The team of attorneys will undertake a range of duties including, but not limited to:
- Work collaboratively with others to identify the most important problems that impact victims, their families and communities affected by crime.
- Engage with clients and victim services providers to identify and seek individualized and systemic solutions to adverse consequences of victimization, with particular focus on victim and family safety, protecting and preserving access to basic needs, and persons and groups that experience special barriers to accessing civil legal services, including immigrants, limited English speaking persons, seniors, veterans, children and other groups.
- Develop collaborative working relationships with a statewide network of advocates addressing similar and related issues throughout the state; participate in advocacy task forces or work groups to address systemic issues that arise in the context of crime victimization.
- Utilize NJP’s case management and timekeeping systems and comply with all applicable regulatory requirements and reporting needs.
- Help identify and develop on-line resources for use by attorneys and/or unrepresented litigants on crime victim rights and consequential legal impacts arising from being a victim of crime.
- Support the work of NJP partners including the volunteer lawyers, private attorneys, other legal aid providers and interested parties and organizations addressing the legal needs of crime victims.
GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS:
- Member of the Washington Bar or willing and able to take next bar exam
- Two years of legal experience in a legal aid or comparable practice
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Attention to detail and willingness to develop and maintain systems to facilitate grant reporting and compliance requirements.
- Good time-management and multi-tasking skills;
- Able to develop and implement systems for case processing (e.g. referral, case triage and follow-up);
- Able/willing to take direction and provide leadership within the office and community on issues of mutual concern to the client community;
- Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of colleagues and community partners, advocates, clients, law enforcement and others; cultural competency with various ethnic groups and languages;
- Cultural competency; especially with immigrants, crime victims, people with disabilities, limited English proficient persons, and seniors.
- Experience with domestic violence, sexual assault and other crime victim survivors;
- Experience working with low-income communities preferred
- Ability to be fully engaged in community aspects of the work.
- Willingness to work in the service areas of the Olympia office and willingness to travel within the county.
- Spanish language ability is a plus, but not required.
COMPENSATION:
Depends on experience. Salary is competitive within local public interest community; excellent benefits and work environment.
These positions are made possible by funding under the federal Victims of Crime Act provided through a sub-contract with the state Office of Civil Legal Aid. NJP anticipates continued receipt of these funds and the positions are not subject to any specific grant or contract term.
TO APPLY:
Resume and letter of interest in position should be sent to Karen Holland at karenh@nullnwjustice.org. Letters of interest and email subject line should clearly reference “VOCA Attorney – OLYMPIA GENERAL LEGAL SERVICES”. Date of availability should be noted in cover letter. Application materials should specifically identify examples of relevant work applicant has handled, including whether as lead or co-counsel, case management, training, CLE or other presentations on legal topics related to protection of crime victims, etc., recognitions and references. Please include proficiency in languages other than English on the resume. Writing samples may be requested before interview. Applications should be submitted as soon as possible, preferably no later than December 9, 2016; applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
QUESTIONS MAY BE DIRECTED TO Karen Holland at karenh@nullnwjustice.org.
Learn more about the Northwest Justice Project here
NJP is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and fosters an environment free of barriers and discriminatory practices. NJP actively promotes mutual respect, acceptance, teamwork and productivity. NJP is committed to maintaining an organization whose staff, Board and clients are diverse in background, experience, race, color, national origin, gender, age, religious reference, marital status, sexual orientation, sensory, mental or physical abilities, veteran status, and other qualities that strengthen the program while reinforcing its commitment to basic fairness. People of color, people who identify as transgender, lesbian, gay, or bisexual, and those with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals needing a reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process or for more information about the project should contact Karen Holland at (206) 707-0802. More information about NJP is available at www.nwjustice.org.