Staff Attorney
TeamChild seeks a passionate and dedicated Staff Attorney to join our Yakima County Office. The Yakima County Office seeks an attorney with a commitment to client centered advocacy who will invest in the Yakima community and amplify youth voice. TeamChild is seeking a full-time staff attorney in our Yakima County office. This is an opportunity to be part of a collaborative team that is dedicated to client-centered legal advocacy and working to continually reflect and improve our client services and office and program practices. Primary job duties include providing holistic civil legal representation to youth who are at risk of or already involved in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. Advocacy involves breaking down legal barriers to a wide array of community-based services and supports, including but not limited to, education, safe and stable living situations, mental health care and medical services, and other civil rights issues. Activities include legal advice and/or representation in administrative or judicial proceedings, negotiations or other dispute resolution processes, advocacy in juvenile court in partnership with public defenders to promote alternatives to secure detention, and collaboration with and referrals to community providers. The staff attorney is also responsible for other advocacy activities, including community training, outreach, and policy work on behalf of our client base. There is flexibility in this position for some remote work and work from our Yakima Office. TeamChild staff have mostly continued to work remotely due to the pandemic. When it is safe, we anticipate some planning and work from the office. This position involves travel in order to meet with clients and community. The Yakima office is currently hiring for one attorney position—either a managing attorney or staff attorney. Both options are posted, please indicate if you are interested in being considered for both positions.
IDEAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS We are seeking candidates who are committed to undoing institutional racism and other forms of oppression and are passionate about supporting young people. Candidates should work well both independently and as a team member, be respectful and passionate about working with people from diverse backgrounds, enjoy creative problem solving, and value the creation of relationships across disciplines. Additional qualifications include: • Member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association or eligible for reciprocity or limited admission to practice pending admission to the Washington State Bar Association; • Must have a valid driver’s license and ability to travel throughout the county to meet client and agency needs (TeamChild provides mileage reimbursement or car rental options for travel); • Exceptional legal skills, preferably in the relevant areas of law including school discipline/special education, public health care, public benefits, re-entry issues, delinquency, child welfare, or other areas of youth related law; • Demonstrated competence working with young people, especially adolescents, and diverse people and communities; • Compassion and empathy in working with youth from all backgrounds and situations; • High level of integrity; commitment to following the Rules of Professional Conduct and upholding ethical standards, including client confidentiality and zealous advocacy for client-directed goals; • Demonstrated alignment with TeamChild values: Centering Youth, Anti-Racism, Wholeness, Accountability; • Anti-racist analysis and commitment to undoing institutional racism and other forms of oppression; • Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of people with varying perspectives, experience, and expertise; • Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with community stakeholders (other advocates and social service providers) and co-workers. Our attorneys must be adept at forging relationships with our clients, our client communities, and the various advocates and social providers our clients access; • Exceptional oral and written communication skills; • Strong organizational, technology (case management systems, Microsoft Suite), and project management skills. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS • Oral Spanish language proficiency (listening and speaking) strongly preferred, written skills recommended. • Legal advocacy skills, including administrative hearing and civil litigation experience, negotiation, clear and persuasive writing, and oral presentation preferred. • Experience living or working in Yakima or a community of similar size and demographic make-up preferred. • Personal connection with our client communities preferred, including lived experience with juvenile court, criminal court, foster care, homelessness and special education.
Please email a concise letter of interest, resume, and legal writing sample to jobs@teamchild.org using the following file naming convention: “[Last Name] - Letter” and [Last Name] - Resume” and [Last Name] - Writing Sample.” Please write “Staff Attorney—Yakima County” and your last name in the subject line. Also, please note how you learned of this opportunity. We currently have several open positions at TeamChild. If you are interested in being considered for multiple positions, please write “Multiple Positions” and your last name in the subject line. Please indicate in your cover letter which positions you are interested in. No phone calls or email inquiries please, but please see our website for upcoming opportunities to learn more about employment at TeamChild. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Position open until filled. Before submitting your application, please check TeamChild’s website to make sure that this position is still open. All interested individuals, including people of color, women, persons with disabilities, and persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or intersex are particularly urged to apply. TeamChild is an Equal Opportunity Employer. TeamChild is committed to promoting an environment free of barriers and discriminatory practices for its clients, Board, and staff.