EJVP Coordinator

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

POSITION:EJVP Coordinator – Odessa (Full-Time Position)

CLOSING DATE: Position Immediately Available and Closed When Filled

LOCATION: Hybrid/Remote – Odessa, Texas

OVERVIEW: Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT) seeks a dynamic, self-starting individual who has vision, initiative, and a demonstrated commitment to public interest law to fill an Equal Justice Volunteer Program (EJVP) Coordinator position in its Odessa office.

DESCRIPTION: Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT) is a non-profit law firm that provides free civil legal aid to the low-income communities of North and West Texas. LANWT is seeking a professional, experienced, articulate, and intelligent individual with excellent communication, interpersonal, and legal secretarial skills for all EJVP duties. These duties will include coordinating the office EJVP (pro bono volunteer) efforts.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The EJVP Coordinator works with private attorneys and volunteers, local bar associations, the Director of Pro Bono and Bar Relations, Managing Attorney and the entire branch staff in carrying out the EJVP efforts for the branch. The EJVP Coordinator is responsible for coordinating volunteer legal clinics and recruiting volunteer staff. Other responsibilities include:

• Ensure compliance with Legal Services Corporation Act and regulations, as well as with LANWT’s EJVP plan and policies.
• Implement and manage the branch office’s EJVP efforts throughout the geographic area served by the office.
• Participate in the activities of local and remote bar associations, legal organizations and in state-wide task forces.
• Maintain working relationships with local bar associations and individual participating attorneys and serve as a liaison between these groups and LANWT staff.
• Open, maintain, and close cases in the case management system.
• Assist with office intake procedures, including prescreening and maintaining “call back” lists to insure there are sufficient number of cases suitable for EJVP referrals.
• Screen calls for financial eligibility and legal problem, including distinguishing emergency and non-emergency matters.
• Maintain a phone log, visitor log, and intake schedule as required.
• Efficiently and courteously refer calls to proper staff members and provide information on community resources and other direct service providers.
• Answer phones, return calls, assist other staff, and do other clerical work as necessary, including but not limited to scanning documents, filing, and processing mail.
• Recruit pro bono attorneys to participate in the EJVP program, including participation in legal clinics and accepting full service pro bono cases.
• Conduct orientation sessions for all participating pro bono volunteers.
• Refer cases and provide necessary support to pro bono attorneys participating in the EJVP program.
• Monitor the status of EJVP cases to ensure that they are being handled in a timely and acceptable manner.
• Participate in staffing meetings to assist in determining cases suitable for EJVP referrals.
• Involve the branch staff in EJVP activities.
• Review office quarterly statistical reports with the Managing Attorney to detect trends and locate problem areas.
• Travel to remote counties as needed to implement and nurture EJVP efforts.
• Provide oral reports for EJVP staff meetings.
• Participate in training events and other meetings to enhance knowledge and skills needed in the EJVP program.
• Design a system to recognize pro bono volunteers for their contribution to LANWT.
• Maintain a high degree of confidentiality and professionalism regarding client matters.
• Maintain professionalism toward clients, visitors, and staff.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Managing Attorney, the Director of Pro Bono & Bar Relations, Deputy Director or the Chief Executive Officer.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school or GED equivalent, Associate’s degree preferred.
• Prior law office experience is preferred.
• Prior experience in family law is preferred.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written and comfortable speaking in public.
• Excellent computer skills with use of Microsoft products preferred.
• Candidate must be detail oriented, organized and self-motivated.
• Candidate must have an excellent attendance record.
• Ability to engage in occasional work-related travel.
• Fluent in Spanish – both verbal and written is preferred.

SALARY: Current entry-level salary is $36,500 per year. The salary for the successful applicant may be significantly higher, based on applicant’s years of experience.

BENEFITS: Excellent benefits package that includes paid vacation and holidays; a retirement plan; health, dental, and life insurance.

Please submit a cover letter expressing interest, a resume, and a list of professional references during the application process.

LEGAL AID OF NORTHWEST TEXAS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

VETERANS ENCOURAGED TO APPLY