Staff Attorney – Disaster Relief

This position is currently unavailable.  For a list of open positions, please see our Careers page.

Bay Area Legal Services is seeking to fill a full-time Staff Attorney position on our Disaster Relief Team.

This is professional position. This position will involve the delivery of targeted legal services, from brief services to extended, to a statewide complement of clients with disaster-relief legal issues, including appropriate referral to local legal aid partners. In addition to direct client legal services, this position will involve researching and developing substantive disaster relief and preparedness training materials. This position will require collaboration with team members to ensure timely fulfillment of grant deliverables. As a disaster relief focused position, community outreach, presentation development and delivery, and community partner engagement is a strong component of the job responsibilities. Applicants should expect to travel for these activities as necessary. Because disaster applicant influx may vary significantly, focus may at times shift to other job duties as the need arises. 

Applicants seeking employment with us should understand and share our commitment to the BALS’ mission and vision, and be willing to abide by the five core values of Bay Area Legal Services.

Office Location

Ruskin
201 14th Avenue SE, Suite I
Ruskin, FL 33570

Illustrative Duties

• Staffing statewide disaster relief hotline, including conducting client intake and providing appropriate legal service based on client need and eligibility. 
• Interviewing applicants and determining if established legal services eligibility requirements are satisfied.
• Counseling and advising clients, referring applicants to appropriate legal aid partners or other community resources for other services needed.
• Preparing legal instruments, pleadings, trial briefs, oral arguments, and abstracts of legal research relative to the case. Conducting necessary correspondence relating to services rendered.
• Participating in hearings before various courts and administrative tribunals on behalf of clients.
• Research and create substantive Disaster Relief training material to be developed into outreach modules including videos and in-person presentations. 
• Participating in appropriate community activities and Disaster Relief outreach. 
• Supervising legal interns, legal secretaries, and other subordinate personnel.
• Supervised by Team Leader and other senior staff but operating substantially on an independent basis.
• Collaborate with Regional Outreach Coordinator, Disaster Relief Staff Attorney, and Team Leader in development of new training material.
• Coordinate with Team Leader to ensure compliance with grant requirements and deliverables.
• Performing related work and other duties as required and assigned by the Team Leader.

Minimum Requirements

• Juris Doctorate (JD), Florida Bar licensed and in good standing with the Bar. 
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate, work well, and effectively contribute within a team environment.
• Ability to multi-task and adapt to new and changing environments.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, meet deadlines, and maintain confidentiality for sensitive information.
• Detail-oriented and well-organized, with ability to establish priorities and track projects.
• Demonstrated commitment to the provision of high-quality legal services to individuals with limited access to legal services.

Desirable Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year experience as a licensed practicing attorney.
• Experience in general legal practice including serving low-income clients or as a law intern with a legal services program.
• An ability to work closely with others and a willingness to accept supervision.
• Sympathetic understanding of the social, economic, as well as legal problems of individuals with limited access to legal services.
• Knowledge of Spanish would be helpful.
• Experience with disaster-related services, including familiarity with disaster-preparedness training and disaster-focused legal assistance.
   

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.