Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem

Legal Advocate, Civil Defense Practice - Housing Defense Team

The Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem (NDS) is a community-based, client-centered, holistic public defense office located in Harlem, providing criminal, civil, and family representation. NDS Clients are represented by multidisciplinary teams including attorneys, advocates and social workers. NDS is accepting applications for a Legal Advocate for the Housing Defense Team within the Civil Defense Practice.

The Housing Defense Team, part of NDS’ Civil Defense Practice, plays an integral role in NDS’s work realizing the right to counsel in housing proceedings. The team is part of the monumental movement toward a civil Gideon, providing assigned counsel representation to low- and no-income tenants facing eviction in Manhattan. The Housing Defense Team helps to safeguard the right to secure, stable housing and combats the destabilization and disintegration of New York’s diverse communities. The Legal Advocate is responsible for handling a caseload involving advice, brief service, and representation in administrative forums. In particular, the Legal Advocate supports the Housing Defense Team’s work by assisting its clients in securing life-altering government benefits.

• Provide excellent, client-centered advocacy in the full range of matters handled by the Housing Defense Team;
• Be primarily responsible, with supervisory support, for all aspects of client benefit advocacy from initial referral through case resolution;
• Collaborate with social workers, other advocates, and attorneys to secure optimal outcomes on behalf of clients;
• Make appearances in administrative forums, such as NYCHA termination of tenancy proceedings in New York City;
• Demonstrate energy, enthusiasm and ingenuity in working on challenging cases;
• Staff Right to Counsel intake at housing court as well as, community intake, clinics, and other institutional assignments as required;
• Demonstrate energy, enthusiasm and ingenuity in working on challenging cases as assigned by supervisors;
• Represent NDS at Coalition meetings and community-based initiatives on housing issues on an as-needed basis.

1. Bachelor’s degree;
2. A demonstrated commitment  to  social  justice  issues  and  experience  working  with individuals of diverse backgrounds;
3. Excellent written and oral communication skills;
4. Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to manage a diverse caseload;
5. Must be able to travel throughout New York City to the various courts, administrative agencies and to client appointments;
6. Must be able to work cooperatively with attorneys and other NDS advocates, and problem- solve independently;
7. Fluency in Spanish is strongly preferred.

COMPENSATION:

Min: $57,022 Annual Compensation.

Max: $62,223 Annual Compensation.

The current salary range for this position is $57,022 - $62,223. The salary, benefits, and employment policies relevant to this position are governed by the CBA between NDS and the NDS Union, part of ALAA UAW 2325. Compensation is commensurate with experience and is in adherence to the NDS compensation scale. Full medical and dental benefits, as well as other benefits, are provided.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and advocacy-based writing sample (preferably in one single PDF). Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

For more information about NDS, please visit our website at neighborhooddefender.org.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At NDS we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

 The Neighborhood Defender Service is committed to creating a diverse environment that reflects the community we serve. NDS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. NDS encourages people with incarcerated loved ones, formerly incarcerated people, people of color, women, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people to apply.