Job Description
BronxWorks helps individuals and families improve their economic and social well-being. From toddlers to seniors, we feed, shelter, teach, and support our neighbors to build a stronger community. In all aspects of our work, we strive for the highest ethical and performance standards and guided by the belief that people are to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of their present situation or past experiences. We have 37 locations throughout the borough providing a variety of programs that offer assistance in the areas of family, children and youth support, educational services, elder care, homelessness, mental health, and workforce development. We are an employer of choice for anyone interested in a meaningful career in the social services field.
BronxWorks is Hiring (1) Staff Attorney | Housing Law for the Legal Service Department
Job Description:
BronxWorks seeks a full-time Staff Attorney to join our team. The Attorney will provide legal assistance to individuals facing evictions or who otherwise have housing instability. This includes providing consultations, legal assistance and representation in housing court or with benefits matters. The Attorney will possess experience in at least one of those legal issue areas. Responsibilities will include developing legal strategies and setting case priorities; conducting intake and consultations; training and ongoing professional development of staff in our HomeBase program; carrying a caseload; outreach to underserved communities; coordinating schedules; ensuring that program goals and data reporting requirements are met; working with a variety of third-party stakeholders, including partner social service agencies.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- The Attorney is responsible for representing Homebase clients with housing and benefits related legal services.
- Assist with housing benefits, including but not limited to New York housing subsidies, Section 8 and NYCHA proceedings and eligibility determinations/terminations, succession rights, rent stabilization, rent control, and knowledge of rent regulations and guidelines.
- Appear in court to advocate for clients, conduct interviews, draft motions, prepare for trial, and negotiate settlements.
- Collaboratively develop approaches and a plan for permanency with Homebase case managers and supervisors.
- Maintain daily and consistent case notes and case status updates.
- Organize and maintain client files in compliance with organization policy.
- Complete program and contract related trainings as needed.
- Complete any additional tasks as assigned by supervisor.
- Complete monthly reports to Program Director.
- Participate in and involve staff in agency events
- Participate and attend monthly and quarterly staff meetings
QUALIFICATIONS
- Admitted to practice law in New York and in good standing or expected admission by November 2022.
- Experience working with individuals facing eviction or with housing instability and/or underserved communities is required.
- Excellent oral advocacy, litigation and writing skills.
- Ability to work independently and in a team.
- Ability to work collaboratively and across issue area with diverse communities and institutions.
- Fluency in another language commonly spoken in NYC is preferred.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to use a computer for prolonged periods.
- Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
- Ability to stand, walk, or sit for long periods of time.
- Ability to bend and retrieve objects and/or documents.
- Ability to travel in the boroughs of New York City and its adjacent counties via public transportation.
- Ability to travel for a minimum of 1 mile within a reasonable amount of time and in all types of weather, including inclement weather, if required to conduct home visits and/or field work.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19
- Ability to use a computer for prolonged periods.
- Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
- Ability to stand, walk, or sit for long periods of time.
- Ability to climb five flights of stairs, if required to conduct home visits and/or fieldwork.
- Ability to bend and retrieve objects and/or documents.
- Ability to travel in the boroughs of New York City and its adjacent counties via public transportation.
- Ability to travel for a minimum of 1 mile within a reasonable amount of time and in all types of weather, including inclement weather, if required to conduct home visits and/or field work.
BronxWorks seeks to build an inclusive organization grounded in respect for differences. BronxWorks is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. This commitment applies to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and employee development, placement, promotion, demotion, upgrading, downgrading, transfer, layoff and termination. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process, please contact hrbenefits@bronxworks.org.