Staff Attorney - Rural STEHP

STAFF ATTORNEY – RURAL STEHP Staff Attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York in Albany, New York serving Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Columbia and Greene Counties. Responsibilities: The attorney will be responsible for implementing the Solutions to End Homelessness eviction prevention and tenant financial assistance program in rural Rensselaer, Columbia and Greene Counties. The attorney will also be responsible for providing legal assistance to Rensselaer, Columbia and Greene County households who are homeless, at risk of homeless and diverted improperly by DSS to doubled up or other temporary housing situations. In addition the attorney will assist in other homeless, eviction prevention and improper diversion cases in Albany and Schenectady Counties as needed. The attorney will provide legal assistance in Rensselaer, Columbia and Greene County DSS cases related to securing shelter and maintaining or securing permanent housing and income necessary to maintain shelter. Legal assistance will include eviction defense, affirmative and defensive actions to improve housing conditions, obtaining and maintaining public and subsidized housing tenancies and subsidies, addressing utility shut offs or denials of service, securing emergency assistance, ongoing temporary assistance and other income supports necessary to achieving housing stability and representing tenants, DSS recipients or tenant or community organizations in support of campaigns to address the causes of homelessness and economic insecurity. The attorney will be expected to provide a full range of legal services, including counsel and advice, representation in administrative hearings, affirmative and defensive litigation, systemic advocacy, community legal education, outreach and engagement and community lawyering. Requirements: Admission to New York State Bar. Two to six years’ experience. Applicants must demonstrate a strong commitment to helping poor and disadvantaged people overcome institutional barriers to employment, safety, housing and income supports. Must be intelligent, hardworking, careful, reliable, have good judgment, attention to detail and a demonstrated commitment and sensitivity to the low-income community. Must be able to communicate effectively with clients and staff, work independently and efficiently and be able to problem solve and work collaboratively with community partner agency staff. Training or experience in community lawyering or community organizing, demonstrated strong listening and relationship building skills, experience, creativity and willingness to use varied legal and non-legal advocacy tools to advance community identified initiatives preferred. Must be willing to travel throughout the 5 county service area, and have a car and a clean valid New York driver’s license. Strong computer, administrative, reporting and data entry skills required. Ability to speak Spanish a plus. Salary Range: $46,747 – $54,500 DOE; We are a unionized program and our fringe benefits are excellent. Application Deadline: June 2, 2016 Please use our application process at www.lasnny.org No applications will be accepted without a cover letter, resume and writing sample We are an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, LGBT persons, the elderly, applicants and recipients of public assistance and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.