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Client-Focused Technology Coordinator

Description: 

 Pine Tree Legal Assistance seeks a full-time attorney to lead our client-focused technology services on a statewide basis, in anticipation of the retirement of our experienced client education and website coordinator in the spring of 2016. The ideal candidate will be motivated by the belief that technology can and must narrow the justice gap for low-income individuals and will possess the skills essential to achieve that goal. All staff are expected to share Pine Tree’s core values, described at http://ptla.org/our-core-values.

Pine Tree is a statewide legal aid provider to low-income individuals with civil legal needs. It has been in existence since 1967. For the past 20 years, it has been a national leader in the use of technology to strengthen equal justice for all individuals. This has been primarily achieved through program websites for the public (www.ptla.org , www.helpmelaw.org, www.kidslegal.org , www.vlp.org and www.statesidelegal.org ) and an online brief bank and document library to support high quality staff services (www.mejustice.org.) In 2014, program websites recorded more than 1.7 million visitors in a state with only 1.3 million residents.   Much of Pine Tree’s website content is original and reflects a commitment to writing in plain language in order to make information accessible to all visitors. The websites utilize responsive design, interactive forms and videos to convey information and support self-help services. Pine Tree has also experimented with mobile apps and social media tools and recently added a new online triage tool (https://ptla.org/triage/me_triage ) allowing visitors to find the most appropriate legal resources to address a specific legal problem and to apply for legal aid services online.   The ideal candidate embraces the fast-paced trends in technologies that allow low-income individuals to identify legal needs and assert legal rights on their own or with the assistance of legal services. The Coordinator:
  • will develop new and creative technology solutions to improve the quality of and increase access to web-based legal information and assistance;
  • will have the skills to successfully plan and oversee initiatives involving emerging technologies, multiple stakeholders, and clear timelines.
  Within Pine Tree, the Coordinator is a valued member of the program’s various substantive law working groups and may be responsible for specific deliverables under new grants and projects. Work within Maine’s statewide civil justice community and with colleagues on a national level is also important.    The current position is located in our Bangor office but may be housed elsewhere in the state, depending on space availability. The position will be part of a technology group within the Administrative Office of Pine Tree that currently includes a two-person “information technology” team. An experienced local Drupal developer assists in implementation of new ideas and maintenance of program websites.     
Requirements: 

Some travel within Maine and nationally should be expected; work hours may include evenings or weekends in order to resolve emergency technology situations. Current bar admission is preferred; strong candidates who are law graduates prepared to sit for the next Maine bar examination will be considered.

Pine Tree’s current resources require familiarity with the Drupal web platform, basic HTML, the ability to create automated legal documents, the ability to create or direct the creation of short self-help videos, and familiarity with social media and other emerging technologies. The Coordinator must have strong legal research skills and the ability to write in plain language, as well as the ability to motivate and support others in the creation of print publications, websites, and videos that support this goal.

Excellent time management, organizational and communication skills are essential.

 
To Apply: 

Interested applicants should discuss their background relative to this project’s requirements in their application letter. They should also provide a current resume, law school transcript, and list of 2-3 references with contact information to Executive Director Nan Heald either by mail or email. The mailing address is Pine Tree Legal Assistance, PO Box 547, Portland, ME 04112; email should be directed to nheald@ptla.org. Interviews will be held after January 4, 2016. However, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Information

Submission Deadline: 
January 4, 2016
Organization Information: 
Pine Tree Legal Assistance ME
United States