Program Counsel II or III

ABOUT LSC: Established by Congress in 1974, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is the country’s single largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans. LSC currently funds 132 independent nonprofit legal aid organizations with more than 800 offices throughout the nation. LSC’s mission is to promote equal access to justice and provide grants for high-quality civil legal assistance to low-income Americans.

This position will require working from an office in Washington, D.C., but is remote until LSC returns to in-office work. The successful candidate must live in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

LSC requires that all employees be up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible, except as required by law. Any employment offer will be contingent upon satisfactory proof that you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible, subject to reasonable accommodations for medical or religious reasons, and/or as otherwise required by applicable law.

BASIC FUNCTION: Under the general direction of the Director of the Office of Program Performance (OPP) or their designee, works with grantee programs to provide programmatic oversight and to improve the delivery of quality legal services to the eligible population. Assists programs to improve and expand the development of innovative, comprehensive, and effective best practices and solutions. Extensive travel is required. This position is included in a collective bargaining unit represented by the International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers, Local 135.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conducts programmatic oversight of grantee programs and promotes improvement of grantees’ ability to provide high quality, effective, and efficient legal services. 

• Reviews and assesses proposals for funding, subgrants requests, and related documents; makes recommendations for funding terms and the imposition special grant conditions; conducts risk analyses for grantees.

• Serves as a liaison between LSC and assigned grantees and is responsible for maintaining effective and open communication with grantees. Prepares and maintains Program Performance and Assessment (PPA) documents for each assigned grantee providing a current profile of all aspects of the grantee’s legal service delivery. 

• Leads and/or participates in on-site program quality and program engagement reviews of grantees, and capability assessment visits; organizes and plans the review team’s work (when leading the visit); reviews and analyzes program documents; conducts interviews of program staff members and other stakeholders; drafts reports of findings and conclusions, and makes recommendations for program performance improvement using as guides the LSC Performance Criteria and the ABA Standards for the Provision of Civil Legal Aid, or recommendations for funding pursuant to LSC regulations, as appropriate.

• Performs follow-up with grantees on implementations of special grant conditions and of recommendations for improvement of program performance.

• Serves as a resource to LSC management and the Office of Government Relations and Public Affairs on individual grantees and LSC’s grantee community (e.g., issues related to Native American populations, Private Attorney Involvement, Limited English Proficiency, disaster relief, and delivery of services in rural areas) and provides other specialized subject expertise.

• Engages in grants management activities related to the design and implementation of the application process and the oversight of extant grants.

• Works with the Office of Compliance and Enforcement on grantee program oversight and assists in other identified matters of mutual interest and concern. 

• Provides technical assistance and guidance to grantees on a variety of legal services delivery areas that is designed to improve delivery utilizing traditional and new delivery models.

• Drafts reports and related documents designed to implement and interpret requirements of the LSC Act and implements LSC policy. 

• Works with colleagues in other LSC offices on issues related to the interpretation, review, and revision of current regulations and the development of new regulations, as appropriate. 

• Works with the Office of Legal Affairs regarding appropriate legal enforcement or defense actions concerning issues in OPP’s areas of responsibility involving current or former LSC grantees and related entities. 

• Makes presentations about legal service delivery approaches and best practices at regional and national conferences, state and regional meetings, and at LSC Board meetings.

• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

General:

Excellent written communication skills with demonstrated ability to produce professional, clear, well-written work product that requires minimal editing. Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to reach different audiences and manage conflicts. Experience analyzing complicated concepts and offering cogent conclusions. Unimpeachable integrity and adherence to the highest standards of ethics and professionalism. Ability to function in a discreet, diplomatic, and confidential matter. Must possess sound judgment and articulate well-informed and objective recommendations. Ability to understand trends that affect LSC, its grantees, and their clients. Ability to conduct thorough investigations and reviews through effective interviewing, research, and application of relevant regulatory authority. Must be conscientious, disciplined, versatile, and highly motivated. High degree of flexibility, capacity for self-management, and attention to detail. Strong organizational skills. Adaptable and able to manage multiple priorities with shifting and/or competing priorities and tight deadlines. Understanding of and commitment to organizational mission and goals.   Ability to influence, motivate, challenge, and inspire confidence among others. Ability to work well with persons from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and working styles.

Technical/Specialized:

A law degree from an accredited law school and admission to the Bar of the highest court in a jurisdiction.  Must be in good legal standing.  Must have at least five (5) years of experience in the practice of law for a Program Counsel II position or eight (8) years of experience in the practice of law for a Program Counsel III position.  Capacity to interpret the LSC Act, Appropriations Riders, LSC regulations, policies and rules.  Ability to conduct thorough investigations and reviews through effective interviewing and research.  Must possess solid research and analytical skills. Experience with the legal services delivery system and in conducting program quality reviews. Proficient with Microsoft Word and Excel.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Program Counsel II Salary: $112,262; Step 1

Salary range: $112,262 - $126, 444

Program Counsel III Salary: $127,857; Step 1

Salary range: $127,857 - $144,009

LSC has a competitive market-based salary structure that establishes a specific salary range for this position. The salary range has eight steps. Step increases are based on acceptable performance and longevity. It normally takes 10 years to advance from Step 1 to Step 8 (waiting periods of 2 years to advance at steps 1 - 3 and 1 year at steps 4 – 8). A new hire is typically hired at Step 1. In special circumstances, LSC may authorize a new hire to start at a higher step based on a special need or superior qualifications of the new employee. 

Excellent benefits package.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

You must apply on our website. To have your application considered, you must answer all questions and provide all requested information. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Your application must include your résumé and a cover letter explaining why you are a good fit for this position. Apply at: www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/careers
 

Note: If you need a reasonable accommodation in the application process, please notify OHR at jobs@lsc.gov.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION STATEMENT:

We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Our differences fuel excellence, and we strive to create an environment where every individual is valued and feels empowered to bring their full, authentic self to work. We are building a community rooted in openness and trust where colleagues have the resources to grow, thrive and fully contribute to achieving equal access to justice. 

LSC is an equal opportunity employer.