CCLS Veterans' Legal Services Project Manager

Description:

Reports to
Director of Pro Bono & Strategic Partnerships

FLSA Status

Full-Time, Exempt (Non-Union position)

Application Deadline

Until Filled

Salary

$85,895 to $98,021 per year

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Central California Legal Services (CCLS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was founded in 1966 for the purpose of providing free civil legal services to low-income individuals. CCLS core counties include Fresno, Kings, Mariposa, Merced, Tulare, and Tuolumne. CCLS’s health work also extends to San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Stanislaus counties. In Madera County, CCLS provides limited services to seniors and on health issues. CCLS has offices in Fresno, Merced, and Visalia, and satellite offices in Mendota and Los Banos. With nearly one hundred (100) employees, CCLS’s work includes direct services that meet our clients’ immediate needs, education, and advocacy.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Central California Legal Services (“CCLS”) seeks a dynamic person to join its Pro Bono Program (“PBP”) as Manager of CCLS’ Veterans’ Legal Services Project (“VLSP”). Through the VLSP, CCLS serves the legal needs of low-income veterans, with a focus on increasing housing stability.

The VLSP Manager will work under the supervision of the Director of Pro Bono & Strategic Partnerships. The VLSP Manager will supervise two full-time VLSP staff – a VLSP Paralegal and a VLSP Outreach Coordinator. The VLSP provides legal services through the VLSP staff, CCLS practice group advocates, skilled volunteer attorneys, and other volunteer legal service providers.

The VLSP Manager will organize and operate the VLSP to provide legal services to veterans through community legal education programs and direct client services. The Manager will be responsible for developing client pipelines, overseeing project eligibility screening, and establishing meaningful relationships within the veteran community. The Manager will supervise pro bono clinics and individual pro bono representation for clients not served by CCLS practice groups, having particular responsibility for managing a pro bono project for military discharge upgrades. The Manager will form and maintain partnerships with community organizations such as Veterans’ clinics, student veterans’ offices at community colleges, Veterans’ Stand Down and Stand Up organizers, and other organizations serving veteran populations. Through these partnerships, the VLSP will conduct outreach and clinic services.

Requirements:

DUTIES

• With supervision, take the lead in developing and operating the VLSP;
• Manage the VLSP Paralegals and Outreach Coordinators;
• In coordination with the PBP Director, define and implement case assessment and referral protocols and processes with both internal and external partners;
• Assist the Director of the PBP with volunteer recruitment, management, placement, support, and recognition;
• In collaboration with CCLS advocates and the Director, create and maintain volunteer training materials for CCLS clinic and project volunteer opportunities;
• Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations to serve as pipelines for client referrals and as partners for clinic and outreach programs;
• In partnership with the Pro Bono Director, operate successful pro bono clinics.
• In collaboration with other CCLS outreach and communications staff, oversee outreach efforts to reach veterans in CCLS’ core service counties;
• Assist the Director with development and documentation of VLSP policies and evaluation metrics;
• In collaboration with the Director, Chief Program Officer, and Grants Manager, assist in collecting data and other information required for funder reporting;
• Travel to meetings and events in counties served by CCLS as needed; and
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Active member in good standing of the State Bar of California;
• Entrepreneurial spirit, goal-oriented, and highly organized;
• At least three years’ experience with veterans’ legal or non-legal issues;
• Excellent communication skills, including writing, public speaking, and interpersonal;
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines concurrently;
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external partners;
• Experience recruiting, engaging, managing, and inspiring volunteers preferred;
• Able to work with clients who are under multiple stressors; to respond to them with empathy and understanding; and to advocate for them;
• Experience with and enjoyment of working with people from a wide range of economic spheres, cultures, languages, abilities, and geographic areas;
• Represent CCLS on relevant committees, task forces, and working groups in the veterans’ community;
• Demonstrated ability to train, motivate, and inspire others;
• Passion for serving veterans and experience working with the veteran community strongly preferred;
• Commitment to CCLS’ mission and core values;
• Ability to travel as needed, proof of liability and property insurance on vehicle used.

CCLS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, other non-merit factor or any categories protected by law. We encourage all interested individuals to apply. CCLS is subject to a Collective Bargaining Agreement.