Director, Tenant Justice Program

Rising for Justice (“RFJ”) invites applications for a Director of its Tenant Justice Program (TJP). Reporting to the Deputy Executive Director, this position provides oversight of program staff to ensure compliance with organizational policies and serves as a model of excellent workplace practices. This is a management position and is part of RFJ’s senior leadership team.

Responsibilities:
• Chairing RFJ’s Housing Practice Case Acceptance Committee, coordinating litigation strategy and priorities, and managing case assignments and case referrals according to established standards;
• Managing RFJ’s participation in the Landlord Tenant Legal Assistance Network (LTLAN), the central intake system for potential eviction defense cases and other housing matters;
• Supervising a team of attorneys and paralegals involved in the representation of income-eligible DC residents with housing matters that have or may result in evictions;
• Meeting with staff at least bi-weekly to review the status of all case-related work in accordance with established case practice standards;
• Attending bi-weekly meetings of RFJ’s Housing Advocacy and Litigation Clinic (HALC) and weekly classes for law students;
• Teaching classes in litigation skills to clinic participants, participating in trial simulations and moot exercises, and developing lesson plans and curriculum in collaboration with the Director of HALC.
• Providing direct attorney services as appropriate, including extended and limited scope representation and brief services and co-counseling cases in accordance with established workload expectations;
• Designing and managing RFJ’s in-house TJP staff training program
• Working in tandem with other RFJ advocacy units to achieve the best outcomes for clients;
• Overseeing the collection and accuracy of all case-related data, including data entered in Qualtrics;
• Serving as a liaison with other legal services providers, attending collaborative meetings, and coordinating services with outside organizations; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
• Must be a member of the DC Bar or eligible to waive into the DC Bar.
• At least 6 years of combined litigation, management, and/or supervisory experience.
• A strong work ethic, client-centered approach to advocacy, and an innovator with excellent communications and organizational skills.
• Experience working with low-income and vulnerable populations, clinical teaching background, familiarity with housing law, and fluency in Spanish are preferred.

Hours, Salary and Benefits:
This is a full-time position with a 40-hour workweek. A fixed scale determines RFJ salaries based on years of relevant experience. The salary scale for this position is $115,000 to $120,000 annually. RFJ’s compensation includes an excellent benefits package, including employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance; generous sick, annual, and personal leave; life and disability insurance; and paid federal and local holidays. RFJ currently offers a hybrid work environment with three days in the office.

To Apply:
Each candidate should submit a cover letter and resume by email, addressed to Linda
Brooks, Director of Human Resources, at [email protected]. Please indicate
“Director, Tenant Justice Program [your full name]” in the subject line of the email. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

About Rising for Justice:
Founded in 1969, RFJ, formerly known as D.C. Law Students In Court, is the oldest law-school clinical teaching program in Washington, DC. It operates as a public-interest legal services provider and a clinical education program for law and social work graduate students, serving more than 4,000 clients per year. Much of RFJ’s work focuses on fighting eviction and displacement on behalf of low-income tenants in Washington, DC. In addition, RFJ represents justice-involved DC residents in need of a fresh start by sealing their criminal records, and individuals seeking family stability by representing respondents in civil protective order and anti-stalking order cases. RFJ provides services from its main office and its office in the DC Superior Court.

RFJ’s mission is to leverage the collective forces of students and experienced advocates to
achieve justice for all. RFJ is committed to strengthening the voices of its low-income clients, collaborating with community partners, and rooting out the inequities that keep people in poverty. RFJ embraces equal justice and diversity as core values and strives to maintain a workplace that is vibrant, welcoming, innovative, and collaborative. The organization is committed to fostering the thoughtful exchange of ideas and to ensuring that all voices are heard and respected. Its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and non-discrimination includes race, sex, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, personal appearance, genetic information, political affiliation, marital status, family responsibilities, disability, status as a veteran, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law or regulation. Candidates of all identities, experiences, and communities are encouraged to apply.