The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs works to create legal, economic, and social equity through litigation, client and public education, and public policy advocacy with a primary focus on racial justice. For the last 50 years, the Committee has been on the cutting edge of civil rights advocacy in the region bringing precedent setting litigation to address discrimination. Our work focuses on injustices in housing, employment, the criminal legal system, education, public accommodations, and civil rights of immigrants. We partner with community groups and with the legal community to achieve justice. For more information on the Washington Lawyers’ Committee, please go to www.washlaw.org.
The Committee operates seven workers’ rights clinics each month in communities throughout the District of Columbia. More than 1200 workers are assisted each year at the clinics with advice, referrals, and representation. The clinics are staffed by Committee attorneys, advocates, and volunteers. The Committee also engages in public policy advocacy on workers’ justice issues, and conducts high impact employment related litigation.
About the Position
The advocate will provide administrative support to the Committee’s workers’ rights clinics and provide support for litigation, public policy advocacy and community outreach. The advocate will work closely with, and under the supervision of, the attorney staff. Duties will include coordinating volunteers, managing the logistics of running the clinics, conducting follow up with clinic clients, engaging with partner organizations, interviewing clients and conducting factual investigation, managing a case management database, engaging in community outreach and other tasks necessary to advance our workers’ justice/employment equity mission.
REQUIRED:
• Fluency in written and oral Spanish (certification at Advanced Mid or above on the OPI/OPIc which will be tested prior to our extending an offer of employment);
• Demonstrated interest in working with a public interest organization, and with low-wage workers and workers facing discrimination;
• Demonstrated commitment to, and passion for, civil rights and racial equity advocacy;
• Ability to communicate effectively with workers, pro bono attorneys, ally organizations, and other workers’ justice stakeholders;
• Ability to set priorities and to multi-task;
• Strong computer skills including Office 365, and high level of comfort working with and troubleshooting online databases; knowledge of case management systems, including Legal Server, a plus;
• Availability to make at least a two-year commitment to the position.
PREFERREDEXPERIENCE:
• Two years’ relevant experience preferred, to include community outreach, organizing, paralegal, or other experience in low-wage worker communities.
Please send a letter detailing your interest and a resume to: [email protected]. Please place “[your name] – Workers’ Justice Advocate” in the subject line.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and the position with remain open until filled. The Committee hopes to fill this position with an applicant who can start in June. Early applications are encouraged.
Insuring equal justice