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 young people 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 mission of TeamChild is to uphold the rights of youth involved, or at risk of involvement, in the juvenile justice system to help them secure the education, healthcare, housing and other support they need to achieve positive outcomes in their lives. In our work we aim to move systems away from exclusion, arrest and incarceration towards more effective strategies that have the best chance of promoting the well-being and success of our most vulnerable children. For more information, see www.teamchild.org.
JOB OVERVIEW
TeamChild is seeking a full-time staff attorney in our Pierce County office in Tacoma Washington, located approximately 30 miles south of Seattle. TeamChild’s Pierce County Office will soon be celebrating our 20th year serving youth. The vision for this new staff attorney position was developed with input from community service providers and advocates for homeless youth. The new staff attorney will join our Pierce County team and allow us to expand our legal services to youth and young adults experiencing housing instability or homelessness. The position will also involve policy advocacy on behalf of youth and technical assistance to support local community agencies that provide housing and community based services to youth and young adults experiencing homelessness. Primary job duties include providing holistic civil legal representation to youth with a specific focus on youth and young adults (up to age 24) experiencing housing instability or homelessness. Many of these young people are at risk of, or already involved in, the juvenile or criminal 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 and criminal 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 open to working with people from diverse backgrounds, enjoy creative problem solving, and value the creation of relationships across disciplines. Additional qualifications include:
Posted 12/15/2016
• Exceptional legal skills, preferably in the relevant areas of law (public housing, 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
• Experience working with young people, especially 12-18 year olds
• 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
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Salary range begins at $48,369 and increases annually based on salary scale. Position comes with full benefits (including medical, dental, vision, long and short term disability).
TO APPLY
Please email a concise letter of interest, resume, and a legal writing sample to jobs@teamchild.org . Please write
"Staff Attorney – Pierce County" and your last name in the subject line.
Résumé review will begin January 10th and the position is open until filled. First round interviews will be scheduled for the week of January 23rd.
No phone calls or email inquiries please.
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 empowering the children and families that we serve so their needs are justly represented and their desires amply fulfilled.
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.
