STAFF ATTORNEY FOR
RENSSELAER COUNTY
SOLUTIONS TO END
HOMELESSNESS PROGRAM (STEHP)
The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, a nonprofit civil
legal services program, is seeking an experienced housing attorney to prevent
homelessness in Rensselaer County, New York.
The position is located in Albany, NY, the state capital, and a lively
family friendly city with a reasonable cost of living, excellent quality of
life, and easy access to major metropolitan areas as well as year-round outdoor
opportunities.
Our mission is to fight for fairness, dignity, and justice for those living in poverty
and for a society which is inclusive
and equitable for all. We transform lives, build community and
empower people by using the law to address individual and systemic wrongs
and inequities.
We seek an attorney who will be dedicated to our mission and will seek
justice and fairness for the households at risk of homelessness. We are skilled, creative and compassionate
advocates combining a passion to serve with the skills and will to address both
individual and systemic injustice. Our office is a collegial and supportive
workplace, encouraging and supporting staff development. We take pride in
providing holistic services to our clients with a wide range of programs and
substantive law expertise.
We are an integral part of the legal and human service community and
expect this attorney to be deeply involved in the network of government,
community members, housing and shelter providers and others dedicated to ending
homelessness in upstate New York.
Responsibilities: The attorney will be responsible for
implementing LASNNY's Rensselaer County Solutions to End Homelessness Program
(STEHP). The attorney will provide legal assistance to eligible Rensselaer
County at risk households by preventing evictions, securing mainstream income
benefits and making referrals to services which will enhance the household's
ability to maintain permanent housing.
The attorney will provide legal assistance in maintaining or securing
permanent housing and income necessary to retain permanent housing. Legal
assistance will include eviction defense, affirmative and defensive actions to
improve housing conditions, obtaining and maintaining public and subsidized
housing tenancies and subsidies, addressing utility shut offs or denials of
service, securing emergency assistance, ongoing temporary assistance and other
income supports necessary to achieving housing stability and representing
eligible tenants in support of campaigns
to address the causes of their homelessness and economic insecurity. The attorney will be expected to provide a
full range of legal services, including counsel and advice, representation in
administrative hearings, affirmative and defensive litigation, systemic
advocacy, community legal education, outreach and engagement and community
lawyering. The attorney will also be
expected to work collaboratively with community partner agencies and work as a
team with other LASNNY staff serving at risk and homeless households. The
attorney will be expert in the Emergency Solutions Grant Program requirements
and compliance therewith and will work collaboratively other LASNNY housing
attorneys to ensure that efficient and effective legal assistance is provided
which maximizes access to LAS services and addresses systemic issues that cause
homelessness.
Requirements: Admission to New York State Bar. One to six years' experience. Applicants must demonstrate a strong
commitment to helping poor and disadvantaged people overcome institutional
barriers to employment, safety, housing and income supports. Must be intelligent, hardworking, careful, reliable,
have good judgment, attention to detail and a demonstrated commitment and
sensitivity to the low-income community. Must be able to communicate
effectively with clients and staff, work independently and efficiently and be
able to problem solve and work collaboratively with community partner agency
staff. Training or experience in
community lawyering or community organizing or engagement, demonstrated strong
listening and relationship building skills, experience, creativity and
willingness to use varied legal and non-legal advocacy tools to advance
community identified initiatives preferred.
Must be willing to travel throughout the 16 county service area, and
have a car and a clean valid New York driver's license. Strong computer, administrative, reporting and
data entry skills required.
Ability to speak Spanish a plus.
Salary
Range: $46,307 - $59,700 DOE
We are a unionized program and our fringe benefits are excellent.
Application
Deadline: February 10, 2020
Any applications that do not have a cover letter, resume and writing
sample will not be considered.
To apply, please go to www.lasnny.org OR
1) Complete the Application linked here, or the mobile-friendly application linked here
2) Complete the Demographic
Survey linked here
We are Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, the elderly, LGBTQ
persons, Protected Veterans and people with disabilities are strongly
encouraged to apply.
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