Deputy Director

You are here

Job location
Pine Tree Legal Assistance
88 Federal Street
Portland, ME 04112
United States
Organization information
Organization name: 
Pine Tree Legal Assistance
Street address: 
P.O.Box 547
City: 
Portland
State: 
Maine
ZIP: 
04112
Job type: 
Legal - Civil
Position Description: 

Pine Tree Legal Assistance seeks a full-time Deputy Director to support internal operations of its statewide program. The position can be housed in any of Pine Tree's six office locations, including Portland.

Pine Tree is a statewide civil legal aid provider in operation since 1967, with a national reputation for the quality and breadth of its legal services work. It currently employs a staff of 60 working in six office locations around the State with a budget of $6.7 million in 2018. This includes federal funding from the Legal Services Corporation and other agencies, and a diverse base of other funders, including charitable contributions from individuals, state funding, and private foundations. It is a highly regulated nonprofit organization and must manage its activities and services within that framework. Its work is supported by a 24- member Board of Directors that includes both Maine attorneys and low-income client representatives.

Every year, thousands of eligible individuals seek legal help with civil matters from Pine Tree Legal Assistance. Staff must manage the pressure of those requests and prioritize those for which there is capacity, while simultaneously working on existing matters, developing client education resources for the program websites, conducting trainings for agency partners and community groups, and maintaining their own professional credentials. Most staff attorneys are in court on a weekly basis. In 2017, more than a third of all Pine Tree cases received full legal representation and 90% of those matters were resolved in favor of the Pine Tree client.

The Deputy Director will be primarily responsible for providing supervision and support to the program’s six+ managing attorneys. In addition, the Deputy Director will provide general support and direction to staff and volunteers throughout the state and will have some responsibilities for program compliance with applicable regulations and requirements, financial oversight and support, and other administrative projects and activities. The Deputy Director reports to and works closely with the Executive Director. They should also expect to collaborate with the fiscal, technology and development staff at Pine Tree Legal Assistance on a regular basis. A draft work plan for the first year of service is available upon request.

Requirements: 

The ideal Deputy Director will have practiced law for a minimum of ten years (in Maine or with the ability to become licensed in Maine), with a demonstrated commitment to justice for low-income individuals and significant supervision experience. The role requires exceptional interpersonal, coaching and partnership skills, combined with creativity, administrative aptitude, and critical-thinking abilities. You should enjoy building relationships and working with others, be an effective communicator, and have demonstrated success with project management and the coordination of feedback from multiple teams and locations. Pine Tree is a unionized work environment and previous experience working within the framework of collective bargaining agreements would be helpful. Regular travel throughout Maine will be necessary.

To apply: 

Applicants should provide a letter that details your interest in the position, your qualifications, and what you hope to contribute to Pine Tree’s future, together with a current resume and contact information for three professional references (including both people you’ve supervised and who have supervised you). Application materials should be emailed to Executive Director Nan Heald at [email protected] by June 15, 2018, but will be accepted until the position is filled.

Notes: 
Equal Opportunity Employer
Salary range: 
Projected $65,000 - $85,000 depending on experience, with a generous leave and benefits package.