Open Positions at Florida Legal Services

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Status: Exempt, full-time staff member of Florida Legal Services, Inc.

• Location: Hybrid Remote serving clients in Alachua County, FL with a physical office in Jonesville, FL. Ability to meet with clients, conduct community outreach, and attend court regularly is required.

• Education Requirements: Juris Doctorate Degree

• License/Certification Requirements: Admission to Florida Bar

• Schedule: Monday to Friday

JOB SUMMARY

The Project Attorney provides a wide range of civil legal assistance including legal advice, representation, and advocacy to tenants at risk of eviction. Services are provided to clients throughout Alachua County, Florida, both remotely and in person. As part of a holistic approach, legal assistance may encompass a wide scope of civil legal issues arising out of housing instability, including eviction defense, tenants’ rights, tenant/landlord negotiations, fair housing rights, and access to public benefits, rental assistance, and other housing assistance resources.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides legal advocacy and assistance to tenants at-risk of eviction or facing housing instability.

Activities include:

• Responding to calls and referrals of tenants, conducting intake, and screening applicants for legal issues that can be served under the Eviction Prevention Project;

• Providing high-quality legal assistance and representation renters at-risk of eviction; conducting client interviews, fact analysis and legal research as part of litigation development; providing legal advice and limited assistance to clients; drafting letters, legal motions, briefs, memos, pleadings and other documents; drafting and conducting all aspects of discovery; engaging in effective and regular communication with clients, witnesses, co-counsel, experts, and others as applicable; and engaging in legal advocacy in court, administrative proceedings, and other forums as lead counsel or co-counsel;

• Providing client assistance with accessing emergency rental assistance or other housing assistance resources, if available;

• Developing and disseminating education and outreach materials on eviction prevention issues in Florida and conducts trainings and online presentations for tenants and attorneys working with clients facing housing instability;

• Traveling as needed for outreach and education activities and to appearances in court or other forums and for project management, client interviews, depositions, fact analysis, meetings with witnesses, and other case-related activities;

• Providing clients with appropriate information and making appropriate referrals for services, both within and outside Florida Legal Services;

• Assisting project team with reports and data collection required for the project;

• Attending stakeholder meetings and other public education events to identify potential clients to be served under the Eviction Prevention Project.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Juris Doctorate Degree with 3 years of legal experience preferred.

• State or Federal court civil litigation or comparable legal experience, including housing issues.

• Excellent research and writing skills.

• Admission to The Florida Bar.

• Bilingual (English/Spanish), preferred.

• Consistent, high-quality attention to detail and the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.

• An understanding of race and gender equity issues in representing clients.

• Strong written and verbal communication, organizational skills, and time management abilities.

• Facility with social media and web-based communications and outreach tools.

• Initiative to work independently and ability to collaborate as part of a team.

• Valid driver’s license.

• Ability to travel, including overnight travel.

• Knowledge of low-income issues.

• Experience using LegalServer (or similar computer-based case management system) and Google Suite software platform is a plus.

• Commitment to work and learn in a technology-based distributed office environment.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary: From $70,000.00 per year, depending on experience

FLS offers an excellent benefits package including 17 paid holidays a year, generous paid time off and family leave policies, and fully-paid medical, dental, life, and vision insurance for employees.

TO APPLY

If you are interested in working with us, please submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three professional references. Please include your salary requirements. Submissions should be in PDF format or Google Docs format (sent to us as a link) to work@floridalegal.org. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but to receive full consideration you are encouraged to submit your application no later than June 15, 2024.

Location: Remote

Employment Type: Full-time

Position Summary: Florida Legal Services seeks an Outreach and Enrollment (OE) Specialist to provide outreach and enrollment assistance to children and families eligible for Florida’s Medicaid and Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP). While most work will be remote, the OE Specialist will be based in, and responsible for leading the outreach efforts for the North Florida area. Outreach work and travel is required. Responsibilities will also include assisting families with applications or renewals for Medicaid or CHIP and continuing necessary follow-up and assistance needed until enrollment and re-enrollment of eligible families is achieved.

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in appropriate discipline or equivalent experience. Prior experience in community outreach and/or prior experience assisting individuals with applications and enrollment in Medicaid, CHIP, or other public benefits preferred.

Salary & Benefits:
Salary will be set depending on experience, starting at $50,000/year.
FLS offers an excellent benefits package including 17 paid holidays a year, generous paid time off and family leave policies, and fully-paid medical, dental, life, and vision insurance for employees.

To Apply: If you are interested in working with us, please submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three professional references. Please include your salary requirements. Submissions should be in PDF format or Google Docs format (sent to us as a link) to work@floridalegal.org.