Legal Services of the Virgin Islands (LSVI) seeks an Executive Director to lead this 501(c)(3) public interest law firm whose mission is to access justice, protect rights, and educate people in poverty in order to empower them to move toward self-sufficiency. LSVI is the “Equal Justice Advocate” for the Territory of the United States Virgin Islands.
The USVI recently suffered two category 5 hurricanes. On September 6, 2017, Hurricane Irma made a direct hit on St. John and St. Thomas causing destruction and devastation. St. Croix suffered tropical storm damage from Hurricane Irma. Twelve days later on September 18, 2017, Hurricane Maria made a direct hit on St. Croix causing destruction and devastation. St. Thomas and St. John suffered wind and water damage from Hurricane Maria. The USVI’s public power system, communications infrastructure, and government buildings, including hospitals and schools, homes and businesses were destroyed or badly damaged. The USVI’s economy, which is primarily based upon the tourism industry, has been severely impacted. The territory is presently in the recovery stage and very few things are normal.
High Priority Roles and Responsibilities the Next Executive Director:
To be able to adapt and function under the present abnormal environment
To effectively serve as the public face of LSVI
To articulate a vision for LSVI and to engage the Board and staff in that vision
To lead a strategic planning process of Board and staff which builds on LSVI’s strengths and looks to its future
To ensure continued high quality services to clients
To strengthen LSVI’s fundraising capacity and expand and diversify its revenues
To build and enhance collaborations and relationships between LSVI and its communities promoting equal justice territory wide
To advance technology solutions in service of clients and efficiency
About Legal Services of the Virgin Islands (LSVI): Founded in 1969, LSVI has its administrative office on St. Croix and an office on St. Thomas, and serves St. John on an outreach basis. Populations served include the elderly, low income individuals, victims of domestic violence, and others needing assistance in vital survival areas such as food, housing safety, employment and health care.
LSVI has an annual budget of approximately $1.3 million, which is received from federal and local government grants.
LSVI’s facilities include the St. Thomas Community Law Center, valued at over $1.3 million. This complex includes an office building and restored historic buildings on the site, including one housing a videoconferencing center. The St. Croix office, which is the administrative office, recently completely renovated at a cost of $.5 million, is a state of the art law office and video conferencing center. LSVI uses technology to the maximum extent in the delivery of services.
The LSVI Board of Directors and Staff: LSVI is governed by a fifteen member volunteer Board of Directors, which includes both practicing attorneys and people who are financially eligible to receive services. LSVI presently has twelve full time staff members agency-wide. LSVI’s leadership team includes the Executive Director, Managing Attorney St. Croix office, agency wide Litigation Directors,
Managing Attorney in St. Thomas, and Director of Finance and Administration. Many prominent jurists and attorneys in the U.S. Virgin Islands are LSVI alumni.
The Work of LSVI: A priority setting process involving clients, staff, board, members of the bench and bar, social agencies, service providers and the community was held in 2016/2017. To the extent that resources and staff expertise allow, assistance is provided to clients in the following areas:
Health – to secure comprehensive accessible, high-quality health care, including mental health services, and eligibility for publicly-funded health insurance programs
Housing – to assist in the acquisition, preservation or access to housing for homestead and shelter, public, subsidized and private
Employment/Economic Stability – to assist in obtaining and maintaining basic income and other necessities for household stability
Public benefits – to assist in acquiring and maintaining public benefits
Family – to preserve, support and ensure the safety of families and individual family members with priority to domestic abuse
Consumer – to preserve home, utilities, and household resources.
Due to the recent hurricanes, LSVI’s present work deals with disaster legal issues, including FEMA appeals.
Read More about LSVI at lsvilaw.org.
Qualifications of the next Executive Director:
Must be admitted as a regular member of the Virgin Islands Bar or be eligible for Special Admission pursuant to Virgin Islands Supreme Court Rule 202
Must have a minimum of five years’ experience as a practicing attorney with management experience involving staff supervision, financial oversight and reporting, budget development, and compliance with grant, contract and legal requirements
Knowledge of and passion for the USVI and its residents
A deep commitment to advocacy for the legal rights of low-income and other vulnerable clients
Legal aid experience or demonstrable involvement in public interest work preferred
Experience working productively with an engaged Board of Directors
Understanding of legislative and executive-level public policy issues and processes
Commitment to resource development, including grant writing and private fundraising
Strong and effective communication skills with people holding a variety of perspectives
Leadership, professionalism, integrity, intelligence, humility and energy
Must have a superior understanding/knowledge of information technology, specifically in the Legal Aid context
Must have ready access to an automobile or other means of transportation
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. To receive full consideration, candidates are urged to submit their application by January 19, 2018. Please submit a letter expressing your interest in the position, your qualifications, and what you hope to contribute to the organization’s future; a résumé; and the names and contact information for three professional references.
Materials should be submitted electronically to [email protected] in Microsoft Word or pdf format.
LSVI is assisted in the search by Patricia Pap, Executive Director, Management Information Exchange, 105 Chauncy St., Fl 6, Ste 3, Boston, MA 02111, 617-556- 0288, [email protected]. Candidates with questions about the position or process are encouraged to contact her.