The Economic Justice Institute, Inc., a Wisconsin-based non-profit that runs LIFT Wisconsin, is dedicated to ensuring equitable access to justice for Wisconsinites. LIFT offers an online tool, legaltuneup.org, to streamline solutions to common legal barriers to economic prosperity, including clearing eviction and criminal records, as well as reinstating driver’s licenses, that are complemented by employment training and job placement services.
We are hiring a full time position to lead community-based programming for LIFT Wisconsin, including education of community helpers, coordinating legal services, documenting policies and procedures, and engaging in constant quality improvement. Initially services will be provided in Dane and Racine counties, and this position will service both counties. The long-term plan is to hire additional service coordinators to focus on more narrow geographic areas.
Responsibilities:
Community-Based Services
– Organize and staff community, technical college, and employer-based mobile clinic (“pop-up”) events;
– Work with LIFT Wisconsin partner organizations to develop and implement the use of pro bono attorneys, paralegals, and students to further the project’s goals. This includes: recruiting, training, supporting, and coordinating these groups to incorporate the LIFT Wisconsin’s Legal Tune Up tool into existing practice, and to participate at pop-up events;
1. Coordinate with student supervisors to ensure student involvement;
2. Coordinate with legal service, technical colleges, employment providers, and law school clinics to provide wrap-around services.
Training
– Oversee and manage creation and updating of training materials, including on-demand video training and other digital material; plan and implement trainings;
– Train community service providers, human resources personnel, students, & volunteers about legal rights and basic processes, including use of the Legal Tune Up tool.
Program Development & Quality Assurance
– Participate in and contribute to LIFT Wisconsin’s overall program planning and implementation;
– Provide feedback on tool performance to technology vendor;
– Maintain a database of pop-up attendees and subsequent wrap-around services to measure success;
– Update program policies and procedures;
– Support efforts to obtain additional financial support from funders and law firms.
Qualifications:
– Legal background: J.D. or paralegal;
– Minimum of two years legal experience;
– Strong communication skills to engage key stakeholders, clients, and pro bono attorneys;
– Ability to manage a high volume, fast-paced project;
– Ability to prioritize and organize resources while maintaining quality and attention to detail;
– Ability to work harmoniously with others;
– Enthusiasm for civil legal aid and equal justice;
– Experience creating training materials and leading trainings, or a willingness to learn;
– Demonstrated ability to speak and write clearly and persuasively;
– Self-motivated, diligent, and able to meet strict deadlines while under pressure;
– Possess a valid driver’s license and maintain it throughout employment;
– Commitment to inclusion of all, including clients’ and our staffs’ race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstances;
– Fluency in a language other than English and cultural affinity for the client community that speaks that language is highly desired;
SALARY: This position will be paid at a rate consistent with Wisconsin-based public interest/non-profit legal services, with consideration for qualifications and documented, relevant work experience. The salary range for the position is $45,000-$60,000 and includes benefits.
WORK HOURS: This position is a professional salaried position requiring community-based services that will include evenings and weekends.
TRAVEL: Travel around Dane and Racine Counties, and between these counties will be required. All work-related travel is reimbursed per IRS travel policies.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, and INCLUSION: We value a diverse staff and work environment. We strongly encourage applications from black, indigenous, and people of color, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, women, and people with life experiences or education that add to our diversity and our capacity to provide high-quality services and work to transform systems to meet the needs of communities. For this reason, we encourage applicants to include a statement about the ways that their unique background and personal, professional, and life experiences contribute to this commitment.
HOW TO APPLY: Interested applicants should send the following documents in PDF format to mmansfield@liftwisconsin.org:
- Cover letter, summarizing interest in the position and qualifications
- Resume
- Optional, but highly encouraged: Statement about the ways that your unique background and personal, professional, and life experiences will contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our organization.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. For priority consideration, please apply by December 1, 2021.
MORE ABOUT LIFT WISCONSIN: LIFT Wisconsin has a three-part mission: 1) build a novel application that accesses public data to make it easy for people to clear civil legal barriers to economic prosperity; 2) transform legal and court systems to prevent injustice in the first place; and 3) contribute to national reform movements to improve civil legal justice for all. We currently offer supported services in Dane County, including the capital city, Madison. We are expanding to Racine as soon as practicable, with plans to expand further as resources allow. More information at LIFTWisconsin.org.