Interim Directing Attorney, Justice for Tenants, Homeowners & Unhoused Individuals

The posting

Reporting to the Vice President of Legal Programs, the temporary Interim Directing Attorney will support in the management of Bet Tzedek’s three Housing teams, Eviction Defense Project, Preventing and Ending Homeless Project and Homeowner Protection Team. With a focus on providing strategic support and program coordination to managers of Bet Tzedek’s Eviction Defense Program, Homeowner Protection Team, Preventing and Ending Homelessness Program, West Hollywood Tenant Defense Program, Beverly Hills Program, and Culver City Tenant Defense Program this role includes oversight of the legal services, litigation, grant compliance efforts related to the staffing, sustainability, growth and culture of Bet Tzedek’s Housing law practice as a whole.

The Interim Directing Attorney will collaborate with the External Affairs and Finance Departments to ensure the priority’s fiscal stability and growth to ensure the various programs’ compliance requirements are met.

This position is eligible for Bet Tzedek Legal Services’ hybrid/remote workplace designation. While the primary workplace is Bet Tzedek’s offices, at the discretion of the immediate supervisor, the employee may be permitted to work remotely or may be required to work in other locations depending on workload/business obligations. Candidates must be located in the Southern California region and able to commute if needed.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Program Support and Management:

· Works with Directing Attorneys to develop and oversee the implementation of direct services advocacy strategies for each of the Justice for Tenants, Homeowners & Unhoused Individuals programs;

· Ensures effective information sharing and cross-collaboration and training between Justice for Tenants, Homeowners & Unhoused Individuals programs and with other programs at Bet Tzedek;

· Helps develop and oversee data collection strategies to further Bet Tzedek’s efforts to measure client and community impact;

· Directly supervises Justice for Tenants, Homeowners & Unhoused Individuals advocacy programs’ Directing Attorneys by holding individual check-in meetings, supporting their development as leaders, providing growth-oriented feedback, and establishing practices that value staff well-being (including sustainable workloads);

· Supports staff by overseeing recruitment, hiring, and onboarding, and by providing mentorship, training and growth opportunities to both attorney and support staff;

· Collaborates with management to inform, enhance, and execute agency-wide policies and initiatives; and

· Collaborates with management and staff to further diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as trauma-informed practices within the organization.

Financial Management and Fund Development:

· Works with staff, the External Affairs and Finance teams, and leadership to maintain existing grant funding and seek new sources of funding to support and, where appropriate, expand the priority’s objectives and impact;

· Collects and provides data and narratives on programs to assist the Institutional Giving team with funding applications;

· Collaborates with VP of Compliance to oversee grant compliance, including applications, program design, tracking, and reporting;

· Oversees budget development and manages the programs’ budgets in collaboration with Finance teams and Directing Attorneys;

· Approves invoices and check requests, reviews outside legal services contracts, and works with the VP of Compliance to implement necessary internal program controls to ensure contract requirements are satisfied.

Community Relations & Programming:

· Collaborates with community partners, including grassroots organizations, legal service providers, social service agencies, and governmental agencies;

· Actively participates in the recruitment of pro bono attorneys; and

QUALIFICATIONS:

· At least 10 years of legal experience preferred;

· Member in good standing of State Bar of California membership required;

· Significant management and mentorship experience of large and varied teams in the non-profit and/or legal services sector, including budgeting and grant compliance, strongly preferred;

· Demonstrated understanding of attorney ethical obligations, law office management best practices and experience training lawyers, legal staff and managers.

· Leadership experience and vision for—as well as demonstrated commitment to—advancing justice for low-income communities preferred;

· Significant experience working in coalition with external partners and community stakeholders preferred;

· Demonstrated commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and in the communities Bet Tzedek serves;

· Demonstrated experience with and commitment to person-centered, trauma-informed legal advocacy;

· Ability to work cooperatively across teams, levels, and functions within the organization and to navigate difficult conversations and address conflict effectively required;

· Excellent written and oral communication skills, required;

· Excellent interpersonal, management, and organizational skills required;

· Collaborative, transparent, flexible, and compassionate management style required;

· High levels of emotional intelligence and cultural competency, including being curious, self-aware, cognizant of bias, empathetic, patient, and willing to listen, and having a growth and open mindset required;

HOW TO APPLY:

· Please visit https://bettzedek.org/careers/ to submit a letter of interest and resume. Please, no phone calls.

To best serve our communities, Bet Tzedek seeks diverse staff with cultural competency reflecting our client populations. We strongly encourage candidates from traditionally underrepresented communities and historically oppressed groups to apply.

Salary

$126,000.00 - $140,000.00 (DOE/DOQ)