Housing Staff/Supervising Attorney

Georgia Legal Services Program

Savannah, GA

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$74,850–$125,186 Per Year
SKILLS
Alliance/Partner Management, Analysis Skills, Attorney, Bar Membership, Communication Skills, Computer Skills, Demographics, Documentation, Driver's License, Family Law, Federal Laws and Regulations, Financial Management, Government Funding, Insurance, Interpersonal Skills, Legal, Litigation, Maintain Compliance, Maintenance Services, Mentoring, Metrics, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Word, Nonprofit, Operations Management, Organizational Skills, People Management, Performance Analysis, Performance Management, Performance Metrics, Performance Reviews, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Property Rentals, Public Housing, Retirement Plan, Sales, Set Goals, Spanish Language, State Laws and Regulations, Team Player, Time Management, Training/Teaching, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Savannah, GA
POSTED
Today

DescriptionAbout Georgia Legal Services ProgramGeorgia Legal Services Program (GLSP) is a statewide, nonprofit public interest law firm in Georgia that offers free civil legal services to low-income individuals, fostering equal access to justice and opportunities out of poverty. GLSP is founded on the belief that everyone deserves high-quality legal services regardless of income, age, race, or other demographic factors.GLSP runs 10 regional offices that serve Georgians with low incomes living outside metro Atlanta in 154 of the state's 159 counties. GLSP employs approximately 182 full-time staff members. We provide free legal aid across a wide range of civil issues, including family law, housing, access to public benefits, eviction prevention, farmworkers' rights, and educational access.Job SummaryThe Housing Attorney will represent tenants of private landlords and tenants receiving government-funded housing assistance. The Housing Attorney will represent tenants in eviction actions and other housing-related matters, including repair and maintenance issues, housing discrimination, retaliatory evictions, and security deposit retention. The Housing Attorney will work to address systemic barriers to reduce evictions, address housing conditions, and improve tenant access to justice.This position has the possibility of being a supervisor position with a higher salary range, depending on the candidate's years of experience. The Supervising Staff Attorney position is a management-level role that provides supervision, mentorship, and increased specialization in legal practice, in addition to the duties of other staff attorneys. They maintain a caseload in accordance with their experience and their case goals.Primary ResponsibilitiesProvide direct representation in court to tenants facing eviction to prevent the loss of housing, address housing conditions, and assert fair housing rights.Address systemic issues such as substandard housing, self-help evictions, wrongfully withheld security deposits, evictions to enforce land sale contracts, and other matters related to rental housing.Public housing rent is based on the tenant's income and affords residents critical protections lacking in other types of housing. The legal work will range from representing tenants in public housing grievance hearings to eviction trials seeking that the Housing Authority of Savannah comply with federal and state law, including the Fair Housing Act. Immediate emphasis will be on representing tenants living in one of the South's oldest Black communities, Yamacraw.Represent one or more public housing resident councils, including the Yamacraw Resident Council in downtown Savannah. Participate in community outreach activities such as housing clinics.Work with local code enforcement to effectively address conditions and document the need for such services.Work with courts to adopt policies and practices that allow tenants to effectively present their case, assert their legal rights, and access the court. In so doing, promote systemic change by removing economic, educational, and linguistic barriers that prevent low-income tenants from accessing justice.Supervision and Mentorship Responsibilities (must have at least 5 years of experience practicing law)Ensure supervisee's training and orientation complies with policies and procedures identified by GLSP.When assigned a supervisee who directly handles cases, employ supervision practices noted in GLSP's Minimum Standards of Supervision. Review this document periodically, but no less than annually.For supervisees who have recently passed the State Bar of Georgia bar examination, ensure supervisee completes GLSP's Transition into Law Practice Program (TILPP) in a timely manner and in accordance with the TILPP checklist.Based on experience, grant requirements, GLSP performance goals, and other factors, collaboratively set goals and metrics with supervisee. Review performance regularly in accordance with these goals/metrics. Where performance does not meet the agreed-upon standard, collaboratively develop a performance improvement plan.In collaboration with the Regional Operations Manager and/or Department of Finance, review supervisee timesheets and leave to ensure compliance. Approve leave requests in accordance with GLSP policy.Communicate transparently with and provide training/support to supervisees related to their job description and performance. Advocate on their behalf to other members of management on matters impacting the supervisee's ability to succeed in their assigned duties.Provide no less than quarterly feedback to supervisee on performance. Conduct a formal performance evaluation annually in accordance with GLSP's evaluation system.Receive grievance complaints involving supervisee. If a grievance must be escalated, direct the individual to a Managing Attorney.Regularly review closed cases of any case-handling supervisee, no less than quarterly.BenefitsSalary range $60,000 - $78,725, dependent upon experience and qualifications. Supervisor Salary range $74,850 - $125,186, dependent upon experience and qualifications.Probationary period: 6 monthsMedical, dental, and vision coverageOption to enroll in a Flexible Spending AccountEmployer-paid life insurance and disability plan15 accrued vacation days, including 2 personal days. Vacation days increase to 20 days after 3 years of employment12 accrued sick days13 paid holidays, including your birthday holiday3 Summer Days (paid holidays of your choosing during the summer)Minimum 7 hours per workday/35 hours per week. All attorneys are expected to work the hours necessary to fulfill the responsibilities and requirements of their position.403(b) retirement plan with GLSP 4% match up to $5,000Up to 10 weeks paid parental leaveOrganizational Wellness activitiesProfessional development opportunitiesAdditional supplement for employees who pass GLSP's Spanish proficiency test and use Spanish in their GLSP positionRequirementsQualificationsGraduate of an accredited law school and current member of the Georgia Bar.The ideal candidate must demonstrate strong people skills and the ability to effectively manage the needs of both clients and staff.Working knowledge of Georgia landlord-tenant law and experience representing tenants in Georgia courts preferable.Excellent communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate with different audiences through public speaking, writing, partnership development, and community education events.Strong organizational skills and ability to perform tasks necessary to maintain a substantial active caseload of advocacy and litigation.Ability to analyze, write, and present ideas and legal concepts clearly and concisely.Willingness and demonstrated ability to work as part of a team professionally and collaboratively.Additional qualificationsExcellent writing and oral advocacy skills.Experience serving a diverse client population is desired.Valid driver's license and operable vehicle.Computer literacy, which includes familiarity with using email, Excel, Word, SharePoint, LegalServer, and other computer programs.Ability to speak Spanish is a plus.#J-18808-Ljbffr

About the Company

G

Georgia Legal Services Program