Job Opening: Lead Legal Services Specialist – Nonprofit

The Legal Assistance Center is seeking an energetic legal professional who is committed to the access to justice mission of the LAC and ready to fulfill that mission by serving the public and taking a key role in assuring program excellence and creating the future of the LAC.

About the Legal Assistance Center:

The Legal Assistance Center is a nonprofit legal self-help center. Seeking to assure access to justice for all, the LAC offers legal information, forms, resources, guidance, and referrals to members of our community seeking to solve basic civil legal problems and use the courts on their own.

The LAC is committed to providing accurate, high-quality, and useful legal information and resources designed to empower the people we serve to find workable solutions for themselves and their families. Respect and understanding are central to the high-quality customer service expected from LAC staff and volunteers.

Qualifications:

• Education: JD, Paralegal, Masters required

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

• Civil law and procedure
• Program/project management
• Excellent interpersonal and collaborative abilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Plain language, user-centered design
• Spanish language a plus

Qualities:

• Energetic commitment to service of others
• Ability to develop and execute strategic growth
• Professional, compassionate, and positive demeanor
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multi-priority environment
• Commitment to Access to Justice
• Understanding of staff and volunteer relationships

Responsibilities:

• Provide direct legal self-help services to the public
• Remain current on changes in applicable law, procedures, and forms
• Lead in assuring and developing program standards
• Lead program development and resource creation
• Lead in the recruitment, selection, training, supervision, and recognition of volunteers, interns, and work-study students, including communications
• Partner in hiring, training, and oversight of program staff
• Lead in program evaluation including creation and maintenance of program statistics, demographic, and patron satisfaction data
• Assist with maintaining positive relationships with courts, legal service providers, and other community agencies and partners
• Understand and advocate for access to justice and legal self-help
• Assist with public education about access to justice and legal self-help

Position Details:

• Full-time and part-time options
• Location: Kent County Courthouse, Grand Rapids, MI
• Compensation: Based on skills and experience, consistent with nonprofit organizations
• Benefits include parking, retirement; no health insurance

Reports to Executive Director

To Apply:

Send letter of application expressing your interest in this position and the experience, skills, and abilities that make you a qualified candidate along with a current resume Executive Director, Legal Assistance Center, 180 Ottawa Ave NW, Suite 5100, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or to info@legalassistancecenter.org. Note that the letter of application will serve as a writing sample.