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STAFF ATTORNEY
Homelessness Prevention
The Legal Aid Society of
Northeastern New York, a nonprofit civil legal services program, is seeking an
experienced housing attorney to prevent homelessness in the five county service
area of the Albany Office: Albany,
Rensselaer, Schenectady, Columbia and Greene Counties. 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 and living in unsafe and substandard
housing. 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 and creating safe and
affordable housing for low income people in upstate New York.
Responsibilities: The attorney
will provide legal assistance to eligible at risk households in he five county service
area of the Albany office 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 also
represent tenants in the capital region living in substandard private housing
who seek repairs and who are recipients of temporary assistance provided by the
Department of Social Services (DSS) by enforcing their rights to safe and decent housing,
through tenant education, demands for repair and rent withholding, Health and
Code Enforcement involvement, and affirmative and defensive housing court
representation. The attorney will work collaboratively with the Departments of
Social Services in rent withholding, seeking and accepting referrals from DSS
staff of tenants who complain to them about housing conditions. The attorney
will improve the functioning of the existing systems of code enforcement, DSS
and the legal system, to contribute to the overall maintenance of the housing
stock in the capital region.
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 capital region at risk and homeless households. The
attorney 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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