Access to Justice Board Manager
Advancement Department
Job Grade E11; Exempt; Full-time; Monday-Friday
Starting Salary Range: $74,084- $83,345 DOE+ benefits
(Posted 4/8/2016)
Established by the Washington Supreme Court in 1994, The Washington State Access to Justice (ATJ) Board, through its justice system partners and standing committees, works to achieve equal access to the civil justice system for those with financial and other significant barriers.
To assist in the fulfillment of this mission, the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) is seeking an ATJ Board Manager who shares in the fundamental belief that, “Justice involves the determination and realization of legal needs, rights and responsibilities and the fair resolution of disputes.”
Functioning as a driving force in support of this effort, the ATJ Board Manager works to preserve and protect the integrity of the ATJ Board and its capacity to work effectively and independently in service of the mission (Hallmarks) and objectives outlined in the Supreme Court order creating the ATJ Board, and consistent with WSBA policies and the ATJ Board-WSBA Memorandum of Understanding.
Working within the WSBA’s culture of collaboration and empowered management, the ATJ Board Manager will provide core leadership competencies and functions, with key accountability for: communicating the ATJ Board’s vision, mission and institutional values to all those involved in the Board’s work, to key stakeholders (Board of Governors, Supreme Court, etc.) and to community partners; working to ensure adherence to the values, mission and vision– both within the Alliance for Equal Justice and externally with a broader community of equal justice system stakeholders; staying well-informed on statewide and national equal justice-related issues and advising the ATJ Board with respect to its potential involvement and investment; ensuring that discrete initiatives to be undertaken by the ATJ Board include all necessary stakeholders; promoting and facilitating the institutionalization of inclusion, diversity and cross-difference competence as justice system imperatives in all aspects of the work of the ATJ Board, throughout the Alliance and for the benefit of key stakeholders.
The ATJ Board Manager is politically astute, collaborative and committed to creating a culture of inclusion, and, by extension, excels at developing strong and effective working relationships with key stakeholder groups, community partner organizations, fellow WSBA staff and others. Internally, the ATJ Board Manager reports to the Director of Advancement and will collaborate with other WSBA staff who support similarly situated entities to advance and promote the WSBA guiding principle of access to the justice system. Chief among them are the Public Service Programs Manager and the Diversity Programs Manager.
Never losing sight of the unmet needs of low and moderate income people in Washington State and others who suffer disparate access barriers, The ATJ Board Manager monitors internal and external circumstances affecting access to the civil justice system and makes recommendations for changes as appropriate to enable the ATJ Board to address changing circumstances and dynamics.
With an eye towards continuous process improvement and community engagement, the ATJ Board Manager promotes and facilitates opportunities for the emergence of new leaders on ATJ Board Committees, through ATJ Board initiatives and across the Alliance for Equal Justice; assesses and recommends changes to the structure and function of ATJ Board committees and initiatives and works to promote and maintain an environment open and welcoming to diverse perspectives and interests from across the state.
Education: JD or successful completion of WSBA Law Clerk Program, other related advanced degree, or equivalent experience.
Requirements: Demonstrated commitment to access to justice; experience working within or closely connected to the legal community; Understanding of effective civil legal delivery; general understanding of civil legal aid and poverty dynamics, and issues relating to social, economic, racial and ethnic isolation and differential treatment; experience managing volunteers; project and/or program management experience; facility with contract management and oversight experience, and budget planning and management experience.
Highly qualified candidates will also have experience in one or more of the following: managing a not-for-profit legal aid or pro bono program; working as an advocate in a legal aid or pro bono program; other direct experience as a legal advocate for low income clients; knowledge of the Washington State legal system and organization; general working knowledge of the Washington State Bar Association and of bar culture and operations; experience working within communities historically marginalized from the justice system and basic working knowledge and understanding of the uses of technology in the justice system.
Proficiencies: This position must have a high level of analytical and decision making skills, and excellent communication and writing skill ( including writing and public speaking); a demonstrated understanding of basic leadership competencies; project management proficiency; Issue identification and problem-solving skills; excellent organizational and time management skills; Initiative and creativity; ability to work independently and collaboratively; strong facilitation skills; familiarity with the concepts of implicit and explicit bias and a willingness to engage in ongoing dialogue about bias.
The ATJ Board Manager is the chief staff to the ATJ Board and its committees and delegates those duties as appropriate. The Manager is a frequent and active contributor within the department and the Alliance for Equal Justice, and is in frequent contact with a wide variety of external entities, including but not limited to the Supreme Court, the Administrative Office of the Courts, Washington’s three law schools, the Office of Civil Legal Aid, local/specialty/minority bars, and others.
The ATJ Board Manager is a highly visible position that at times represents the work of the ATJ Board, the WSBA, or both at the national and statewide levels. If you feel as passionately about the importance of this work, we want to hear from you!
For more details and to apply, visit https://home.eease.adp.com/recruit/?id=9171631 . Cover letters are required and should be included in the "Notes" section prior to uploading your resume.
Felix Neals - SR HR Specialist Washington State Bar Association
Insuring equal justice