Staff Attorney

TEAMCHILD
TeamChild is a nationally recognized nonprofit serving vulnerable youth across Washington State. TeamChild is best known for its legal services program reaching children in crisis in King, Pierce, Spokane, and Yakima counties. Our clients are generally 12-21 years old and many are involved in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. Our legal services program is designed to keep young people out of juvenile court by reconnecting them to education, healthcare, mental health, and housing supports. We work closely with public defenders, juvenile court staff and the community to positively impact the young person’s life while helping the youth to accomplish their goals and reduce further contact with the courts. The goal of all of our programs is to divert children away from school exclusion, arrest and incarceration, and directly into the supports that have the best chances of getting them back on track.
At TeamChild we believe that racial and other social identities should be respected and affirmed. In support of this belief, we are building an equitable and inclusive organization and providing our team of staff, volunteers and Board members with the tools to address institutionalized racism and other forms of oppression. All members of our team are responsible for providing and supporting an equitable and inclusive work environment that will enrich our interactions with each other and our products and services. This responsibility provides the foundation for serving our clients and their families so their needs are justly represented and their desires amply fulfilled. For more information about TeamChild and the Yakima Office, see www.teamchild.org.
JOB OVERVIEW
TeamChild is seeking a full-time staff attorney in our sunny Yakima County office. 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.
QUALIFICATIONS
We are seeking candidates who are committed to social justice and are passionate legal advocates for 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:
 Exceptional legal skills, preferably in the relevant areas of law school discipline/special education, public health care, public benefits, re-entry issues, delinquency, child welfare, or other areas of youth related law
 Exceptional oral and written communication skills
 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
 Experience working with young people, especially adolescents
 Demonstrated competence in working with diverse clients and communities
 High level of professionalism and ethical standards
 Must have access to a vehicle and have a valid driver’s license to travel throughout the county to meet client and agency needs
 Strong organizational, technology, and project management skills
 Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with other advocates and social service providers
 Spanish language proficiency strongly preferred
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Salary is based on the TeamChild attorney salary scale and the candidate's years of relevant experience. The salary range begins at $48,369 and increases approximately 3% annually. Position comes with full benefits (including medical, dental, vision, EAP, generous paid time off, long and short term disability, and options to set up FSA and 403b retirement accounts).
TO APPLY
Please email a concise letter of interest, resume, and a legal writing sample to [email protected] . Please write "Staff Attorney – Yakima County" and your last name in the subject line. No phone calls or email inquiries please. Position open until filled.
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.